Dealer North. None Vul.

                                    ♠          J 5 2

                                    ♥          A 10 9 7 5 4 2

                                    ♦          10

                                    ♣         A J

            ♠          9 8 7                           ♠          K

            ♥          J 6 3                            ♥          Q 8

            ♦          A K Q 7 6 2                ♦          J 9 8 5 4 3

            ♣         8                                  ♣         K 9 5 3

                                    ♠          A Q 10 6 4 3

                                    ♥          K

                                    ♦          —

                                    ♣         Q 10 7 6 4 2

It is normal to lead the suit that you and partner have bid so it is somewhat strange that West has led a club. The only explanation is that it must be a singleton.

You therefore reject any notion of a finesse at trick one and immediately play dummy’s Ace. You now play the Spade Jack which is covered by West. You draw the remaining trumps and give up a Club to East’s King

As you can see had you been temped to finesse at trick one you would immediately go one down. 

(NB West doesn’t lead a Diamond because he reasons that his partner has raised him to 5 level and is certain to have 5 diamonds if not 6 -raise to level of fit- and that not even one diamond would hold up- well reasoned to no avail)

You can also watch the following movie to see how the hand pans htttp://www.haroldschogger.com/bridgevu.setup

  alternatively watch the film www.haroldschogger.com/movies2.htm

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