Board 04

Board 04

10 9 5 3
6 4
A 9 8 4 3
K 3
K J 6
J 5
K J 2
A 10 7 6 2
N
W   E
 
S
A 4
K Q 10 8 7
Q 10 5
Q 9 4
Q 8 7 2
A 9 3 2
7 6
J 8 5

Dealer:

West

Vuln:

All

W N E S
1NT Pass 2 Pass
2 Pass 3NT End

Contract:

3NT by West

Lead:

4

We are quite pleased about the diamond lead, and we win in hand. The heart suit is a better prospect than the clubs, because of the strength. We don't want to win the second heart round in the short hand, so we lead the J. South will hold up until the second round. A spade return allows us to safely (and successfully) play the jack; and a club return also gives us an easy overtrick, by playing low from hand. South's best return is partner's diamond suit. North will take the ace and play another. This effectively limits us to nine tricks, because it will no longer be safe to take the spade finesse.