Poet Ogden Nash said, "The most exciting happiness is the happiness generated by forces beyond your control."

Do you think that can be true at the bridge table? Players must be happiest when they take control and make or break a contract. Surely players are more likely to be frustrated than excited about forces outside their control -- for example, a finesse.

This deal features a defender taking control, and the best play would be missed by many players. How should East and West combine to defeat three no-trump after West leads his fourth-highest spade?

First, though, let's look at the deal from declarer's point of view. He has eight top tricks: one spade, two hearts, four diamonds and one club. He needs to get a ninth winner from clubs. But since he will lose at least one trick in that suit, he must hold up his spade ace in case that suit is 5-3.

So, East wins with his spade queen, returns the spade 10 (the higher of two remaining cards), and -- probably -- leads his third spade. South takes his ace and runs the club seven. It loses to East's 10, but since West has no entry, declarer loses only two spades and two clubs.

The defenders can triumph if they shift to hearts before dislodging the spade ace. East might find that play, but he has reason to hope that his partner has an entry. Instead, West should take control. He knows he does not have an entry, so he should overtake East's spade 10 with his jack and switch to the heart queen.

However, how many players do you know who would be that good?

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