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Opening lead: K

Once I was playing with Vic Mitchell in a team game,
and he did not make an obvious splinter bid. Instead
he jumped to four spades. I won the heart lead, drew
trumps and ran my clubs to score 11 tricks. I could
have made 12 by ruffing two hearts in dummy, but
didn't want to risk it. At the other table, North made
a splinter and South bid 4 over 4. West led a
diamond! Diamonds were continued and East led his
last diamond at trick four, West ruffing. This promoted
a trump trick for East -- down one.

Vic said afterwards, I didn't splinter because you were
a passed hand and slam was unlikely. So I didn't want to
tell the opening leader what suit to lead. I suspect Vic
also sensed a slight hesitation on West's part, who
passed twice when he was thinking of bidding.

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