Keep a Poker Face by A. Sheinwold

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    Sarasota Herald-Tribune – 2 Jul 1982

    aa.jpgLead: Heart Queen

    When Swedish expert Jan Wohlin played today’s hand he saw that he’d almost surely go down if he went after the diamonds at once. Somebody would win and force out his second heart stopper. When Wohlin eventually tried for his ninth trick in spades or clubs, the opponents would wind up with that trick, one diamond and three hearts.

    Since the best chance was to try for the ninth trick first. Wohlin took the king of hearts and led the king of clubs. This play would enjoy tremendous success if ether opponent had the singleton queen, but it was also likely to work whenever the ace and queen of clubs were divided.

    REFUSES CLUB

    West didn’t know that East had the queen of clubs or that East had started with enough hearts to defeat the contract. So West refused the first club, just as any normal human bridge player would—unless he enjoyed X-ray.

    Wohlin then led a low diamond and made his con tract with five diamonds, two hearts, one spade and the stolen club.