questionofweek

Hand of the week

Hand of the week, week commencing, Sunday 15th November 2025

Plan your play in 3NT after ♣6 is led

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

Dealer: West Vuln: None

♠	9 3
♥	A K 8 2
♦	J 10 3 2
♣	J 8 2

♠	K 8 2
♥	J 7 4
♦	6 5
♣	A 9 7 6 3

	N
W		E
W		E
	S

♠	Q 10 7 5
♥	Q 10 3
♦	Q 7 4
♣	Q 5 4

♠	A J 6 4
♥	9 6 5
♦	A K 9 8
♣	K 10

W	N	E	S
Pass	Pass	Pass	1NT¹
Pass	2♣²	Pass	2♥
Pass	3NT	End

1. Strong No trump 15-17

2. Stayman

My partner Jacques Laliberte played this hand to perfection on Okbridge.

He played low from dummy and East played the Queen - very good news as the Jack or 10 would now be established after the Ace had gone.

So with 2 clubs in the bag, plus two top Diamonds and 2 top Hears and 1 top spade the winners count now becomes 7 winners. If the diamond finesse works that will bring the total to 9.

Firstly he cashed a top Diamond just in case the Diamond Queen was singleton.

Since both hands were so balanced, he thought that the opponents' hands would be balanced too, so before taking the Diamond finesse he ducked a round of hearts, hoping the hearts would break around the table 3:3

East won the trick with the 10 and of course played back a Club won by West who got off lead with a club. won by dummy's remaining Jack.

He now cashed two top Hearts delighted to see the suit breaking 3:3 and he cashed the established Heart before broaching the Diamond finesse.

The Diamond finesse worked and he was now able to claim 10 tricks by way of 2 Clubs, 4 Diamonds, 3 Hearts and 1 Spade

( you can play these hands out using bridgevu.exe and it is available free from http://www.haroldschogger.com/movies.html ) Click on the lin picture above

alternatively watch the film of the hand being played out by going to www.haroldschogger.com/movies2.htm

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