So the story goes, the diamond rides to RHO's K, which you duck, and a low diamond comes back to your A. Counting your tricks you have 1 top spade, 2 hearts, 2 diamonds and 1 club. The three remaining tricks must come from spades or clubs. To keep the dangerous opponent off lead later in the play, it is imperative to attack spades first, but what is the best way to attack spades?

In Louis' version, you play a heart to the A and finesse for the K so that you could later take a club finesse into East, the non­dangerous opponent. The problem is that cashing the A may allow East to become a dangerous opponent.

Look ahead and consider what will happen when you next lose the lead. Obviously, when West wins the K, he knows he has no entry to enjoy his diamonds. West will therefore continue hearts (East overtaking) attempting to set up 5 possible tricks for the defence: 1 spade, 2 hearts, 1 diamond and 1 club. To make the hand from this point requires tough guessing in a tricky end­position.¹ But is guesswork really necessary?

As long as the diamond length is with West, you can always make the hand. After winning the A, simply play a low spade from hand to knock out the K. No matter who wins, the defense cannot set up the hearts in time to enjoy them. Now you are all set to take the club finesse into the non­dangerous opponent!