Eric Hoffer, a philosopher and author who died in 1983, said, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.”

Many bridge players find the hardest arithmetic to master is counting winners and losers. Since the numbers are not that high, it shouldn’t be beyond anyone. It just requires a willingness to spend the time to do it. But anyone who succeeds becomes a tough player immediately.

In today’s deal, how should South play in seven spades after West leads a trump?

The auction suggests that the author was looking at all of the cards! However, as I mentioned yesterday, when you have a two-suiter and find a fit in the first suit you bid, upgrade your hand. Here, South should see the slam potential if North has both red-suit aces. But as Blackwood will not help, South starts with a four-club control-bid. Then, after three more control-bids confirm that North does have those two aces, South leaps majestically to the grand slam.

West, anticipating declarer’s need of ruffing winners, sensibly starts with a trump. (South must have a club void.)

Declarer has six side-suit winners (five hearts and one diamond), so needs seven trump tricks: four winners on the board and three club ruffs in his hand.

South takes the first trick on the board and ruffs a club high. He continues with a heart to the ace, another club ruff high, a diamond to the ace, and a third club ruff high. Then he draws trumps and claims. It is a textbook dummy reversal.