Dealer South Love All

                             ♠        A Q J

                             ♥        9 5 4

                             ♦        J 9 7 4 2

                             ♣       A J

          ♠        10 5                                ♠        8 7 4 3 2

          ♥        Q J 10 7 3                            ♥        K 6

          ♦        Q 6                                 ♦        K 8

          ♣       9 8 6 4                               ♣       Q 10 5 2

                             ♠        K 9 6

                             ♥        A 8 2

                             ♦        A 10 5 3

                             ♣       K 7 3

This hand comes from the 2017 House of Lords versus House of Commons annual bridge match

 Declarer holds up the first two rounds of Hearts endeavouring to cut you off from your partner. From the bidding you know declarer has no interest in either Major. Partner has led Hearts and you have long Spades. You also have good control of the clubs. It seems that declarer is going to get his tricks from Spades and Diamonds.

After winning the third Heart declarer now plays the Diamond Ace- over to you- If declarer had AQ of Diamonds surely he would go over to dummy with a Spade and now finesse the diamonds. It therefore seems likely that declarer has not got the Diamond Queen. Are you now awake enough to chuck that blocking Diamond King on the first round of Diamonds. If so you find the winning defence and partner will obtain the lead with his Queen and be able to cash the remaining Hearts to take the contract one off.

If you do not chuck the King then you will win the second Diamond and now declarer will prevail making 4 Diamond tricks 3 Spades, 1 Heart and 2 Clubs.

You can also watch the following movie to see how the hand pans out. To view this programme you will need  to download htttp://www.haroldschogger.com/bridgevu.setup

if you would like to comment on this page or say you like it you may do so now :-