The tantalizing play may be irresistible

Philip Guedalla, an English barrister, historian and writer who had a sharp sense of humor, said, "Autobiography - that unrivaled vehicle for telling the truth about other people."

What is the truth about today's deal? What happens in four hearts after West leads the club jack, and how would four spades doubled have fared? North leapt straight to four hearts for two reasons. First, he did not want to give the opponents any room to discuss their future in spades; and the Law of Total Tricks advises when in a competitive auction to jump straight to the four-level with a known 10-card fit and no slam potential.

Here, four spades would have gone down one, West losing one heart, one diamond and two clubs. Many players would go down in four hearts, though, because they would be unable to resist the tantalizing temptation to win the first trick. Then they would draw trumps and return to clubs. However, East would be able to take a trick in that suit and shift to spades. Then, assuming West does not err by playing a third round of the suit after taking his two winners there, South will lose two spades, one diamond and one club.

Now go back to trick one and let West win it with his club jack. Probably he will play a second round of that suit. But declarer can win, remove the trumps and discard a spade from the board when the clubs obligingly split 3-3. If you can win a trick that will not disappear, spend a moment or two wondering if you should duck.