The Hog and Papa make a bet

The Hideous Hog and Papa the Greek were long-time rivals at the Safari Club. Insults had become quite strong recently, even for these bitter rivals. Today, they had a side bet for the club championship game. The loser would buy the wine at the party afterward.

With one round to go, Papa had a good game going -- he estimated that it was at least 65%. He looked and saw that he would have the Rueful Rabbit and Molly the Mule as opponents for the finale. How sweet is that, he thought.

On the first deal, Papa found an endplay to make an overtrick in 3NT for an average-plus board. Then this hand:
♠A 8 5 4 2 ♥7 2 ♦A J 10 9 5 ♣Q.

Papa opened 1♠, and heard his partner bid 2♥. Now what?

Papa was nothing if not devious. Why bid 3♦? I'll hold that suit in reserve he said to himself.

He rebid 2♠ and was surprised to hear his partner bid 4NT. Papa showed his two key cards and was declarer after North bid 6♠.

                 ♠ K Q 9 6
                 ♥ A K J 10 8
                 ♦ 7
                 ♣ K J 10
==
                 ♠ A 8 5 4 2
                 ♥ 7 2
                 ♦ A J 10 9 5
                 ♣ Q

West, the Rueful Rabbit, led the ♦K, and Papa considered his contract. It's a good thing I didn't bid my diamonds, he thought. With a different lead, I would have some work to do. After my clever bid, however, the Rabbit made a favorable lead and this will be a piece of cake.

Papa played the ♠K Q. The Rueful Rabbit showed out on the second round and discarded a club. Papa drew the last trump with the ace, then advanced the ♣Q. The Rabbit won and exited with a heart. Papa won and played another round of hearts -- Molly the Mule showed out, so hearts could not be established.

Papa ruffed a heart and advanced the ♦J. When the Rabbit followed low, he discarded. Molly started to play a card, looked again, then produced the ♦Q to set the contract.

These were the four hands:

                 ♠ K Q 9 6
                 ♥ A K J 10 8
                 ♦ 7
                 ♣ K J 10
♠ 10                            ♠ J 7 3
♥ Q 9 6 5 4                     ♥ 3
♦ K 8 4                         ♦ Q 6 3 2
♣ A 8 5 4                       ♣ 9 7 6 3 2
                 ♠ A 8 5 4 2
                 ♥ 7 2
                 ♦ A J 10 9 5
                 ♣ Q

At the post-game festivities, nobody was sure if the Rabbit had made a good play or pulled the wrong card. In any event, the Hog was in a good mood: He had won his bet, and wasn't paying for the wine. He had selected a 1999 Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. The bouquet was wonderful and it had a pleasing aftertaste.

"The only thing better than good wine, is good wine paid for by Papa the Greek," announced the Hog. "Actually, making it better is that I won when Papa was tricked by the Rueful Rabbit. Now that is an amazing combination.

"Waiter! Another bottle, and put on my friend Papa's tab."