Holmes         My 6-count and the opponents’ bidding told me that you had a

                        decent hand.  And yet you did not overcall 1♥.   Clearly you had

                        less than five Hearts.  The auction also told me that West had less

                        than four Hearts and East less than five.  Therefore, the Hearts

                        were 2-3-4-4 around the table.

Watson           Very clever.  I suppose you also knew that West had three Clubs.

Holmes          Yes, Watson.

Watson           You did know?

How could Holmes deduce that West had three Clubs?

►

Holmes          It seemed most likely.  I had five and East had at least two.

Watson           He did?

Holmes          If he was 3=4=5=1 he would raise Spades.  With 2=4=6=1 he

                        would rebid Diamonds.  Ergo, he had at least two Clubs.

Watson           So, if East had two Clubs and West had four then I would have had

                        just two.  With that I would no doubt make a Takeout Double of 1♣.

Holmes          By George, I think he’s got it!

►

Yes, of course, Holmes did not lead the unbid Hearts, he led through West’s Club suit.  But how on earth did he know to lead the Queen, the only card in his hand which beats the contract?  That’s a story for another day.

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