Benjamin Disraeli, twice the British prime minister in the 19th century, said, “Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.”

One clear difference between bridge geniuses – – experts — and less-capable players is the speed with which they take tricks when on defense.

In this deal, how should the declarer-play and defense proceed after West leads the heart king against three no-trump?

It was reasonable for North to use Stayman, despite his poor spades. If South also had four spades and weak diamonds, four spades could have been the best contract.

South starts with seven top tricks: one spade, one heart, one diamond and four clubs. He has finesses available in both rounded suits, and it is logical to start with the diamonds, because if that finesse wins, declarer is home.

South should duck dummy’s heart ace twice and take the third round. In this way, he learns the good news that hearts are 4-3, not 5-2. Then he takes the diamond finesse. What happens next?

Many Wests would win the trick to cash the last heart. But then South will get into the dummy with the club queen and, perforce, take the spade finesse, and with this layout he would collect two spades, one heart, two diamonds and four clubs.

A genius West will duck the first diamond. Then declarer would surely cross to the club queen and repeat the diamond finesse. Now West produces his king, cashes the last heart, and exits with a club. Then South cannot get into the dummy to take the spade finesse and will end down one.