questionofweek

Hand of the week

Hand of the week, week commencing, Sunday 6th April 2025

Plan your play in 3NT after West leads ♦7

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

Dealer: East Vuln: None

♠	A Q 4
♥	J 9 4 3
♦	A
♣	Q J 10 6 2

♠	8
♥	A 8 5
♦	K J 8 7 6 5 3
♣	8 4

	N
W		E
W		E
	S

♠	10 9 6 5 3 2
♥	Q 10 7 2
♦	-
♣	9 7 3

♠	K J 7
♥	K 6
♦	Q 10 9 4 2
♣	A K 5

W	N	E	S
		Pass	1NT
Pass	2♣	Pass	2♦
Double	3NT	End

After a Diamond is led you can now count 8 winners i.e. 3 Top Spades, 5 Top Clubs and 1 Diamond.

So where does the 9th trick come from?

When this hand was played against me I was somewhat surprised that declarer went for the Heart suit and had to now guess where the Heart Ace, Queen and 10 were.

With complete control of all suits, all he had to do was focus on THEIR SUIT. and play back a Top Diamond as soon as possible. So at trick 2 come to hand via a club. Now play Diamond Queen not minding if West wins and were to play a Heart. West wins and gets off lead with Spade You win and force out the ♦J with your ♦10. West tries ♥A and now not only do you make your contract but now make an overtrick.

You will now make 3 Spades, 1 Heart, 4 Clubs and 2 established Diamond, 1 established Diamond, losing just two Diamonds and Heart Ace.

( 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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