That play would have been more plausible if West had shown club length, as at other tables.

Since East had shown club length, West led the king of that suit and followed with the five.

The ball must be even with or within 2 club lengths behind the markers.

In view of West's known club length, the diamond finesse was likely to succeed.

Woods then had to go through the process of taking a drop within two club lengths.

Declarer now concluded correctly that the club length was on his right.

In the replay a slow auction gave East an opportunity to show club length.

North's pass of the double clearly indicated club length, so South might have stood his ground, losing 1,100.

This squeezes East if he began with the heart king and club length, a good chance.

Or he could take a stroke and drop the ball within a club length.