Review the plot of Episode I here!

A defensive problem from the cuppers semi-final. You hold the West cards: 9 7 6, A K 9 2, K 3, J 9 3 2. After partner's weak 2, South bid 4 and you led the K (asking for a count signal). Partner's 4 shows an odd number (the 3 and 2 are both visible!) What now?

It seems likely that partner has the A for his bid, in which case you can cash out four tricks. However, if he does not, cashing the other heart first could prove fatal—declarer's second diamond would then disappear on the Q. It is therefore better to test diamonds first.

Jedi master Yoda reached this conclusion, and switched to the K. I now overtook (in case it was a singleton), and continued with two more rounds of the suit, hoping to establish a trump promotion (since from my point of view, the second heart may not be cashing). If declarer had A K Q 9 x x, x, x x, K J x x, leaving Teymur with T 8 x x, A K x x x, K x, x x, ruffing high would create an inevitable trump loser.

So, what's the solution to our problem? Don't let partner take control! If Teymur were to lead a low diamond, I would win the ace and diamonds are blocked, so whether I return a heart or a diamond, we would cash our four tricks. See earlier article on PISSHEAD!

Jar-Jar had been written out of the plot so Paul Russell played the South cards at the other table. After the uninterrupted auction pass–1–2–4, there was no reason for the defense to find their diamond tricks, so the board was flattened.