Can you spot the second chance?

Alfred Nobel, he of the eponymous prizes, made this surprising observation: "Second to agriculture, humbug is the biggest industry of our age."

Last week we looked at deals that gave the declarer a second chance to make his contract - no humbug. Sometimes, he had to choose the better approach; on others, he could try both options if he planned the play correctly. Here is one more. South is in three no-trump. What should he do after West leads the heart queen?

South, with so many aces and kings, might have upgraded his hand and opened two clubs. That may have persuaded North to look for a high-level club contract. Here, five clubs would have made. Six clubs would have been a fair but unsuccessful contract. Declarer would have needed clubs 3-2 and either diamonds 4-3 or spades 3-3, which I make just over 51 percent. (Plus a fraction for an opponent being squeezed when he holds four-plus spades and five-plus diamonds.)

South has eight top tricks: two spades, two hearts, one diamond and three clubs. The immediate reaction is to assume a 3-2 club split and expect to roll home with two over tricks. But if clubs are 4-1 or 5-0, is there any chance?

Yes-perhaps the spades are 3-3.

Declarer should win the first trick and lead his low spade (or play three rounds of the suit). South takes the next heart and cashes his two top spades. Here, they break 3-3, and the contract is assured. And when clubs do not divide favorably, declarer and dummy are happy.