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Distributional hands are frequently a source of large swings. On such hands the opening leads are often crucial. The following deal occurred many years ago in the Sheffield League of Four.
(North's 2♠ was a Michael's cue-bid, showing hearts and a minor, and when he sacrificed over 4♠ he showed his second suit, to help the later auction. A side effect of this was to enable East to bid 5♥. North passed over 5♠ to see whether it would be right to save over 6♠. This is all right, save for the fact that 5♠ might be passed out).
A 6♥ contract appears to have three Aces to lose, plus a possible second trump trick. However, West, not unreasonably, decided to have a look at the table and led the A♦. After this was ruffed, East was put to the test with a small Club. Blissfully unaware of the diamond suit in Declarer's hand, he decided to duck. A spade now went on the Diamond, and all that remained was to duck the Heart to East's Ace (remember the 5♥ bid).
Thus North-South scored +1210 instead of -300. At the other table North-South decided to defend 5♠ - which appears to have two Clubs and two Diamonds to lose. The Diamond break means that declarer can set up a Club to discard a Diamond. However, North led the Q♣! The effect of this was that two defensive Club tricks now dwindled to one, and Declarer could draw trumps, knock out the J♣ and claim 11 tricks.
Thus East-West scored +650 instead of -100.
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