Hand of the week commencing
Sunday 23rd September 2007
The ©8 is led with East contributing the 10 plan your play.
|
|
Dealer
South |
ª |
A J 4
|
|
|
|
|
NS
Vulnerable |
© |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
¨ |
A
10 9 7 6 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
§ |
K
6 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
|
|
|
ª |
8
7 2
|
|
|
ª |
Q
5 3 |
|
© |
A
J 9 8 7 3 2 |
|
W
E |
© |
10
6 |
|
¨ |
8
|
|
|
¨ |
K
4 3 2 |
|
§ |
9
8 |
|
|
§ |
A
Q 10 4 |
|
|
|
|
S |
|
|
|
|
|
ª |
K
10 9 6 |
|
|
|
|
|
© |
K
Q 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
¨ |
Q
J |
|
|
|
|
|
§ |
J
7 3 2 |
|
|
|
N |
E |
S |
W |
|
|
|
1NT |
NO
|
|
3NT |
NO |
NO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When
this hand was originally played West sat very quiet and after declarer took the
first trick with the King He finessed the Diamonds and when it failed the
defence wrapped up 7 tricks defeating the contract by three.
Can
declarer enhance his chances of success ? With only 4 Hearts between the dummy
and his own hand there seemed little point in ducking the first trick in order
to sever communications. But, if by any chance, West had led from a seven card
suit. then ducking the first Heart, communications would be indeed be cut.
The
winning line therefore is to refuse the first trick allowing East’s 10 to hold
and play the queen when the suit is continued. As the cards now lie our quiet
West will not be able to regain the lead when East wins the Diamond Queen as he
will be out of Hearts !! Declarer can now make at least
3 Spades, 1 Heart and 5 Diamonds (Make sure to finesse West for Spade
queen as East is the safe hand)