Once in a while, you will play a hand perfectly, and still get a bad result because of inept play by an opponent. Then there are those instances where an unlucky lie of the cards will hurt you. Another scenario occurs when one of your fellow players executes an incredible or unusual combination. In this deal, the unfortunate South player is completely victimized by some 'off the wall' combinations!

		North A 10 9 4 10 6 4 2 Q 10 7 Q 8
West K Q 8 7 5 2 5 A J 9 A K J			East 6 3 A Q 9 8 7 3 8 6 4 6 2
		South J K J K 5 3 2 10 9 7 5 4 3

This was a hold or 'keeper' hand - which at times can be a very tricky proposition. South seemed to be reasonably safe; he had the nice low control cards in the minor (Club and Diamond) suits. His Hearts, though high, posed no immediate threat since he held a singleton Spade and had potential discarding opportunities once his Jack was out of the way.

West played the Club Ace on the first trick, as North ditched his Queen. Now the Diamond Nine was led, as North played the Queen and South noted East's Eight, as he inserted his King. Now the spade Jack was trotted out, and it held, as everyone played low. South then bailed out for the moment with the safe Club Three, as West was in with the Jack. The Club King was then cashed as North heaved his Spade Ace, and East pitched the Heart Queen, while South strained to conceal a wince.

The Ace and Jack of Diamonds followed - fetching the remaining middle cards from North and East - and setting up the two as a 'thirteener' (last card in the suit). South's wince became an expression of genuine pain, as West now pushed the Heart Five. The King of Hearts won the trick, as East did not grab the Ace. Realizing the futility of either minor suit, South desperately tried the Jack of Hearts - hoping to catch the Ace doubleton. Instead, he found the Spade Queen, and a whole bushel of points.

This result was comparable to that of a 'fix' in Bridge. South had no control of the outcome. A very tough result - indeed!