Simon's Bridge Notes
Simon's Bridge Notes

Board 07

Board 07

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

Dealer:

South

Vuln:

All

W N E S
1NT
Pass 3NT End

Contract:

3NT by South

Lead:

♥J

We have eight top tricks and can set up another in spades. The problem is that we don't want East to get the lead, because a club is the obvious continuation looking at dummy.

So rather than taking ♠A and then forcing out the king, we should lead ♠Q from dummy. If East covers, we win with the ace. If not, we let the queen run. Either way we make two tricks without East getting the lead. We don't care if West wins because he cannot attack the clubs. Indeed, a club lead from South would donate an overtrick.