Playhand 19

Board 19 North Deals None Vul	♠ Q 10 2 ♥ A Q 10 6 ♦ 4 ♣ K Q 9 7 6
♠ 8 4 ♥ 8 5 4 3 ♦ K 8 3 ♣ J 8 5 3	N W E S	♠ A J 9 7 3 ♥ 9 7 ♦ 7 5 2 ♣ A 10 2
	♠ K 6 5 ♥ K J 2 ♦ A Q J 10 9 6 ♣ 4

The bidding goes N:1♣, E :1♠, S :2♦ ,W: P, N :2♥, E: P , S :3NT; all pass

So 3NT by S is the contract, and W being a dutiful partner leads ♠8. Can you make 9 tricks or more?

Many contracts fail by getting the first card played from dummy wrong,

Count the ♠s, and you realise that W should not hold more than 2 and the 8 is likely to be W 's highest ♠card, so E holds AJ9. If you play small or the 10 from dummy the contract goes down if W regains the lead and leads a second ♠. So up with ♠Q. If East covers and lead a ♠ back you can lrt it run to dummy's 10. Now you can play ♦s , and concede the ♦K, but you are safe with ♠K, and will make 5 tricks in ♦s and 2 in ♠s, plus 4 in ♥s, but the opponents can cash ♣A to hold you to 10 tricks.