Former U.S. Sen. Robert Foster Bennett said, "A desire to be in charge of our own lives, a need for control, is born in each of us. It is essential to our mental health, and our success, that we take control."

Each defensive deal usually fits into one of three scenarios. Most of the time, a good player can work out how to defeat the contract and, with his signals, can tell his partner what to do -- as long as partner is watching and interpreting correctly, of course. Occasionally the good player will not be sure what to do. For example, he might not know if his partner has the heart king or has the diamond king. Then the expert must hope that his partner comes up with the right answer. In the third situation, one player can see how to defeat the contract and can take total control to achieve that end -- as in this deal.

What should East do when West leads the club king against four spades?

North has a textbook three-spade game-invitational limit raise. And South has an automatic raise to game.

The defenders need four tricks to defeat the contract -- something that should be foremost in each defender's mind. East can hope for one diamond and three clubs if West has led from a three-card suit. However, there is an alternative chance: one diamond, two clubs and one diamond ruff.

East should take charge, overtaking partner's lead with his ace. He then cashes the diamond ace before returning his club two (lowest of three remaining cards). It ought to be easy for West to take that trick and to give his partner a diamond ruff for down one.

** ** **

COPYRIGHT: 2012, UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATEE

DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK FOR UFS