Hugh Ross made his normal opening lead - fourth best from his longest and strongest - on this deal from the third final session of the Société Générale Open Pairs.

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Game ª A 10 6 3 2 © 10 7 ¨ 2 § A J 8 7 2 ª J 9 7 ª Q 8 5 © K J 6 2 © Q 8 5 4 3 ¨ A 9 8 5 4 ¨ - § 9 § K 10 6 5 4 ª K 4 © A 9 ¨ K Q J 10 7 6 3 § Q 3 West North East South Pass 1NT Pass 2© Pass 2ª Pass 3§ Pass 3NT All Pass

Ross led the ¨5. Imagine his surprise when dummy had a singleton and his partner showed out! When the Chinese declarer won with the 6 and knocked out the ¨A, he suddenly had 10 tricks for just about all the matchpoints. Once in a while a notrump bid on a hand like that pays off. With a heart opening lead, the contract will go down - probably two tricks.