Rueful Rabbit does it again

The excitement was high among the animals at the Safari Club. A series of tournaments had been set up, one per month for a year. This was the last one and there were several animals who had a chance to win top prize. At stake was a nice trophy, a cash prize, and, most importantly, bragging rights for the next year.

Timothy Toucan was one of those with a shot to win. With one round to go, he sat down as South to play against the Rueful Rabbit, West. The first deal was uneventful, then this:

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

The auction was straightforward: Timothy Toucan opened 1♠, North raised to 2♠ and Timothy rebid 4♠.

The Rueful Rabbit led the ♥A. His nose twitched as he pondered his next move. He continued with the ♥K, then shifted to the ♦4, won in dummy.

Tmothy led a spade and considered his play. If East had the ♠Q J x or ♠Q J x x, the Toucon could make an extra trick by finessing. If the finesse lost, he could win the return and cash the ♠A. If the Rabbit showed out, he would return to dummy and pick up East's trumps.

After some thought, he played the ♠10 and the Rueful Rabbit followed with the ♠3! Yes, good technique had been rewarded!

The Toucan led a diamond to the queen and led another spade. East played low again, so the Toucan put in the ♠9. The Rueful Rabbit won the ♠Q and led a third round of diamonds and East overruffed dummy with the jack -- down one!

Here are all four hands:

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

"How can you duck?" asked Timothy in a loud voice.

The Toucan had taken so long before playing the ♠10, that the Rueful Rabbit had lost his concentration. He hated to admit he had pulled the wrong card. Because of his embarassment, he didn't point out that declarer could have crossed to dummy in the club suit instead.

At most tables, declarer played two high trumps and claimed, losing two hearts and a spade.

At the bar afterward, the Hideous Hog held court. He was enjoying a bottle of imported Chilean wine: Crucero Carmenere 1996.

"Zen teaches that we all have fears that hold us back," said the Hog. "The Rabbit has learned to overcome these fears. Or perhaps the big Zenmaster in the sky looks out for him.

"This wine is excellent -- it has a hint of black currants and is very balanced. Waiter! Another bottle."