Vuln: None

When I saw this hand being played declarer could not have messed up more. First the bidding was something to behold and perhaps if he had got the bidding correct his partner would have played the hand. South should in fact start with Double.

However when it came to the play declarer didn't seem to count his winners and went one off. There is more than one way to play this hand but let's keep it simple.

After ruffing the second trick you will need to keep an entry in your hand once you establish the clubs.

So after ruffing the second trick play top heart to set up a Heart trick (and somewhere to dispose of the Diamond loser in dummy). West wins and gets off lead with a trump. You win this and now quickly chuck away the Diamond loser in dummy.

You must not shorten both hands in trumps.

Play a top spade pleased to see the trumps breaking 3;2. You can now draw last trump.

The clubs broke unevenly but not to worry can establish the 5th Club as you still have the last trump.

You will eventually make 3 trumps, 1 Heart, 3 clubs. 1 club ruffed, 1 Diamond ruffed and 1 established club.

You lost 1 Diamond, 1 Heart and 1 Club

You can also play out the following hand  to see how the hand pans out. (You need bridgvu.exe programme  and it is available free from   http://www.haroldschogger.videoes.html or BridgeBase programme on your machine already to view it )

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