Lead ª7 Plan your defence

                 Dealer South  Both Vul.

                        ♠      J 9 3

                        ♥      J 8

                        ♦      A J 6

                        ♣      A Q 9 8 4

        ♠      8 7 5 4 2                  ♠      A Q 6

        ♥      K Q 9 4                    ♥      10 3 2

        ♦      K 8                   ♦      7 4 3 2

        ♣      J 6                    ♣      10 5 2

                        ♠      K 10

                        ♥      A 7 6 5

                        ♦      Q 10 9 5

                        ♣      K 7 3

The aim of this hand by the defence is not to let through unnecessary overtricks when playing Match Point Pairs and that mistake could be made at trick two if you "go into automatic" without thinking J

After winning the first trick with the Ace you have to decide what partner’s lead means. Is it 4th highest? Certainly not as you can see 5 cards higher that the 7 that is led when declarer follows suit to the first trick with the 10. Therefore partner has led SECOND HIGHEST FROM A BAD SUIT and declarer is now marked with the King and ???   it would be fatal to now play back the Queen and let declarer win with his King and at the same time promote the Jack in dummy. Therefore at trick two either play back a low spade and hope partner has an entry later or switch to a Heart.

As long as you do not play back the Spade Queen at trick 2 declarer will only make 11 tricks. If you “accidentally” play the Queen declarer will make 5 Clubs, 4 Diamonds (after a successful finesse of their King) 1 Heart and 2 spades.

You can also watch the following movie to see how the hand pans out. To view this programme you will need  to download htttp://www.haroldschogger.com/bridgevu.setup

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