Hand of the week

Hand of the week, week commencing, Sunday 30th May 2021

What do you lead, plan your defence?

<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 51);">23 </span></a><br/><br/>

Dealer: West Vuln: None

♠	10 8
♥	Q J 2
♦	9 6 5
♣	A Q J 5 2

♠	7 6 5 2
♥	A 10 5
♦	A Q J 7
♣	9 4

	N
W		E
W		E
	S

♠	A 9 3
♥	9 4 3
♦	4 3 2
♣	10 7 6 3

♠	K Q J 4
♥	K 8 7 6
♦	K 10 8
♣	K 8

W	N	E	S
Pass	Pass	Pass	1NT
Pass	3NT	End

When I was sitting West on this hand, I decided I did not want to give anything away and led a passive ♠7.

I could never have been more wrong -UGH. What basic guideline had I not done. I had not counted my winners and potential winners in order to defeat the contract. Partner won the first trick and fired back a Spade and now declarer had no problems in bringing home his contract with3 Spades, 5 Clubs and 1 Heart.

Let's now replay. If I had done this I would, undoubletedly have led my ♦Queen which I should do. If I can get the Diamonds going we will certainly get three Diamond tricks and 1 Heart and now I only need one from partner. Declarer held up the first Diamond and won my continuation. He then sets about establishing the spades but partner will get in and of course play another Diamond and now we come to 5 defensive tricks by way of 1 Spade, 1 Herat and 3 Diamonds. One must count one's winners when defending as well as when declaring and the teacher must practice what he preaches.