Remark (Trick 12).—A's lead here is instructive. He knows his partner (B) has one diamond and no spade and no heart (see Tricks 5, 7, and 10). B's other card must therefore be a club (trump). If it is the best trump, A wins two by cards by leading a trump. But if it is not the winning trump, a trump lead loses the odd trick. It is better to make certain of the odd trick than to risk losing it for the chance of winning two by cards; for the odd trick makes a difference of two to the score. A therefore properly ensures the odd trick by forcing his partner (see p. [134]).
Suppose the score to be AB three, and YZ one. Then A would be justified in leading the trump at Trick 12. For, if B has the ten, AB win two by cards and the game; and, if B has not the ten, AB lose the odd trick; the score remaining AB three, YZ two. It is better to run the risk of this score for the sake of the game, than to make certain of scoring only four and of leaving the adversaries at one.
AB win the odd trick.
THE HANDS.
(A's hand is given above.)
| Y's Hand. | B's Hand. | Z's Hand. | |||
| Qn, Knv, 2 | ♠ | 7 | ♠ | Ace, 10, 8, 6, 3 | ♠ |
| Qn, 9, 7, 5 | ♥ | 10, 8, 2 | ♥ | Kg, 6, 3 | ♥ |
| 9, 8, 3 | ♣ | Knv, 10, 7, 5 | ♣ | Ace, Qn, 4 | ♣ |
| 9, 7, 6 | ♦ | Kg, 8, 5, 3, 2 | ♦ | Ace, 10 | ♦ |
In the following hands the comments will be fewer, it being assumed that explanations of ordinary play are unnecessary.