Playing IMPS where overtricks are not important plan your play in 3NT after ♥Queen is led.

If you would like to play this hand out then click here

Dealer: West

Vuln: All

Playing IMPS where overtricks are not important plan your play in 3NT after ♥Queen is led.

In bridge terms this hand is "Open Book" where you can work out who has what at trick 1 after the lead and the bidding.

The bidding has told you that West has a good opening bid having rebid 2H opposite a Passed hand that could have nothing. Therefore West "must have" every single missing high card and if you are a fan of finessing you will not make this contract as all the finesses will almost certainly fail.

Having rebid 2H West is certain to have six card suit and there is no point in holding up the first trick so you win the first trick with your King.

Your only hope now is to find West with at least two doubleton Queens in the remainder of his 7 cards.

With all this in mind, firstly play two top Spades pleased to see the first doubleton Queen falling from West's hand. Now cash two top spades in dummy as West now throws Hearts suggesting he needs to protect his Queens in the two remaining suits.

New you are going to test Diamonds next and another doubleton Queen falls. Now your contract is safe as you make 4 Spades, 1 Heart 3 Diamonds and 2 Clubs for an excellent score

If you are really brave enough, and were playing Match Point bridge after cashing the 3 winning Diamonds you could exit with a Heart letting West cash out his two Heart winners and then he would have to lead away from his remaining Q106 around to your K72 and now you would make 11 tricks.