HOMEPAGE > QUIZ > HAND OF THE WEEK > WEEK 32

Dealer : South
Vuln : East-West


HAND OF THE WEEK #32

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     North
    J 8 5
    A J 9 4
    10 8
    J 8 6 5
West
Q 9 7 4 3
Q 7
Q 9 7 2
A 4
East You

K 5
K J 6 5 4 3
Q 10 9 7 2
 

   South
    A K 10 6 2
    10 8 6 3 2
    A
    K 3

The winning defense is to return a diamond
at trick two, not a club, despite partner's
3-of-spades lead, which appears to be a
suit-preference lead. If you return a diamond,
declarer will eventually lose two club tricks
and one more trump trick.

When this hand was dealt in last year's
Cavendish Invitational Pairs, many South
players declared 4 doubled. West doubled
because he knew his partner held a void in
spades and was sure of at least the first
three tricks. He led a suit-preference 3.
East ruffed with the 5 of hearts and returned
a club for another spade ruff. But the club suit
was frozen. South was able to play the 3 of
clubs on the club return, and West won his
ace and gave partner another ruff with the
king of hearts. That, however, was the end of
the affair. South won the club return at trick
four and finessed West's queen of hearts to
score 590.

Why should South know to play low if a club
is returned at trick two? Well, for one thing,
West doubled, and for another, he led that 3
of spades, indicating a club entry.

Have a nice weekend.

West

pass
4
double

North

2
4
all pass

East

2NT
pass
 

South
1
3
pass
 

Opening lead: 3

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