Playhand 33

Board 33 West Deals None Vul	♠ J 10 7 6 2 ♥ 9 7 4 ♦ J 4 ♣ A 4 2
♠ 9 4 ♥ Q 8 5 ♦ Q 10 9 5 2 ♣ K 6 3	N W E S	♠ A Q 8 3 ♥ 2 ♦ A K 8 3 ♣ Q J 10 7
	♠ K 5 ♥ A K J 10 6 3 ♦ 7 6 ♣ 9 8 5

The bidding : after two passes E opened 1♠ ! Surely 1♣ or 1 ♦ is a better opening bid, with this 4-1-4-4 hand. S then overcalled 2♥ which passed round to E again. This time E made a very sensible bid; a take-out Double. Was W asleep you might ask when 2♥ doubled became the contract! Getting the contract 1 down scores worse than making 3♦ by E-W

The lead by W is ♠9 won by E with the ♠A, and the suit returned. Can you suceed in making 8 tricks ?

 

The bidding gives you a clue. Lead ♥10 and W may let it go, but if W has recovered will win with Q, and lead ♣K. Now you have to set up a winning ♠ 10. So lead a ♥ and finesse the 7 or 9 depending which trump W plays; Play ♠J and ruff when E covers with the Q. Lead another small trump winning again on dummy and cash your master 10♠ for a ♣ discard !