Most errors in the play of the cards can be attributed to laziness rather than ignorance or limited ability. This observation applies equally to the offense and the defense.

Today’s deal illustrates the type of error that can easily be avoided with the proper mental approach. West led the king of spades and continued with the queen after East signaled with the seven. West then shifted to a diamond. Declarer won with the ace and conceded a trump to East’s ace. South later took a successful club finesse, and the contract was home.

Nothing startling occurred during the play, and it might appear that the par result was achieved by both sides. But closer examination reveals that the contract should have been defeated.

The culprit was East, who missed a golden opportunity at trick one when he

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