Crime in London appeared to be taking a vacation, and so it seems was Sherlock Holmes when he found himself on opening lead at the Baker Street Bridge Club:

          ♠ A65                                 Holmes  West      Watson      East 

          ♥ 92                                   Pass      1♣           Pass          1♦

          ♦ T95                                 Pass      1♠           Pass          1NT

          ♣ Q9654                           All Pass

Let’s eavesdrop on the post-mortem in Holmes’ 221B bachelor quarters.  But before we do, consider your opening lead.

OK, now that you've made your choice, click here to see what Holmes did.

Watson:        Dash it, Holmes, why not lead the unbid suit?  I must have Hearts.

Holmes:       Indeed, dear chap, you had four, but so did Declarer.

Watson:       We know that now.

Holmes:      And I knew it before I made my lead.

Watson:      An Englishman doesn’t peek.

Holmes:      No, it was the curious matter of your bidding.

Watson:       But I didn’t bid.

Holmes:      Yes, that was most curious.

How could Holmes figure out the Heart distribution?  Click here.

 Holmes:     My 6-count and the opponents’ bidding told me that you had a decent hand.  And yet you did not overcall 1♥.   Clearly you had less than five Hearts.  The auction also told me that West had less than four Hearts and East less than five.  Therefore, the Hearts were 2-3-4-4 around the table.

Watson:       Very clever.  I suppose you also knew that West had three Clubs.

Holmes:      Yes, Watson.

Watson:       You did know?

How could Holmes deduce that West had three Clubs?  Click here.    

Holmes:       It seemed most likely.  I had five and East had at least two.

Watson:       He did?

Holmes:     If he was 3=4=5=1 he would raise Spades.  With 2=4=6=1 he would rebid Diamonds.  Ergo, he had at least two Clubs.

Watson:      So, if East had two Clubs and West had four then I would have had just two.  With that I would no doubt make a Takeout Double of 1♣.

Holmes:      By George, I think he’s got it!

Click here for the complete deal.

Yes, of course, Holmes did not lead the unbid Hearts, he led through West’s Club suit.  But how on earth did he know to lead the Queen, the only card in his hand which beats the contract?  That’s a story for another day.