But this is a very specific hand, and therefore less likely than the one South actually held.

West now knew that South held the queen, but he did not know whether it was guarded.

He considered the prospects if South held the spade jack.

If South held it, a club play was going to be fatal.

If South had held the diamond five instead of the three, there would have been no defense.

If South held the king he would be unlikely to lead the suit from his hand.

He knew that South held six cards in the major suits and expected at most three clubs.

They would have lost it, however, if South had not held the heart eight on the diagramed deal.

And if South had held king-queen he might have won with the king.

It was unlikely that South held the heart king, and no harm would be done if she did.