There are choices; can you find them?

[Photo/China Daily]

Andre Maurois, a French author born Emile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog in 1885, said, "In literature, as in love, we are astonished at the choice made by other people."

Sometimes we are surprised at the choice made at the bridge table by ourselves and others. In today's deal, the winning choice would be overlooked by players unaccustomed to searching for alternatives to the obvious.

Against four spades, West leads his diamond two - "My stronger minor, partner." East wins with his ace and returns the suit. What should South do after ruffing? It is reasonable for South to open four spades in the third (or fourth) position. Opposite a passed partner, a slam is unlikely, and the bid rates to keep the opponents quiet. (One point for serious partnerships: If you open four of a major with such a strong hand and the opponents enter the auction, you must double to tell partner about your unexpectedly high point-count.)

South has four potential losers: two hearts, one diamond and one club. He has only nine sure winners: seven spades, one heart and one club.

At first glance, declarer could play for two heart tricks or take the club finesse. He could draw trumps and play a heart to the queen. But here if East plays low, the contract can no longer be made.

Did you see the sure route to 10 tricks? After pulling trumps, South should cash his club ace and continue with the club queen. West takes the trick, but when declarer gets into the dummy with a heart, he can cash the club jack. His 10 winners are seven spades, one heart and two clubs.