This is a simple hand to play...Right? Win the club lead with A, ruff a , draw trump, go to the board with the A and ruff the last club. Now when the diamonds split, you claim, giving the opponents a spade in the end.

WHOA!!! Not this time. Bad Diamond Break...Down 1.

But, a little more thought and we can set up an End Play and make this ice cold contract.

1.    Win the A and ruff a club, draw trump and cross to the dummy with a spade (NOT A DIAMOND), and ruff the last club.

Do you see the end play coming? Your next 2 plays are your key plays.

2.     Win one (1) top diamond in your hand. Like the K.

3.     Now exit with your remaining spade. The winner of this trick has to lead a diamond or give you a ruff/sluff.

If West wins the spade, he will either have to give a ruff/sluff or return a diamond giving you the diamond suit.

8 87 A86   J6 JT7 J KQT75 9   9 QJ Q92

If East Wins the spade return, he will have to lead a spade or the 9 giving a ruff/sluff

You will play low in the North hand with the diamond return and win in the South hand. West will show out and you will win the J or T return with the Q or if a low diamond was led, you will win with the 9. In either case, you will claim the remaining tricks.

By the Way............A lot of your "better players" will go down with this hand.........but not you.