NORTH
*S* A K 4 3
*H* K Q 2
*D* 8 3
*C* Q 7 6 4
SOUTH
*S* Q 10 9 7 5
*H* J 6 5
*D* A J
*C* A 8 3
Vulnerable: North-South
Dealer: South
The bidding:
South West North East
1*S* Pass 2NT Pass
4*S* All pass
Opening lead: Club ten***
***promises the jack says nothing about holding a higher non-touching honor; or shortness
plan the play. Trumps are 2-2
NORTH
*S* A K 4 3
*H* K Q 2
*D* 8 2
*C* Q 7 6 4
WEST EAST
*S* 8 2 *S* J 6
*H* 9 8 3 *H* A 10 7 4
*D* K 6 5 4 3 *D* Q 10 9 7
*C* J 10 9 2 *C* K 5
SOUTH
*S* Q 10 9 7 5
*H* J 6 5
*D* A J
*C* A 8 3
Best play is to duck the trick in dummy, win the ace, draw trump then play on hearts. When East wins to shift to diamonds rise with the ace, eliminate the hearts and play a second diamond.
West must win the king and play a top club, but when you have reached this ending you can’t go down whatever you do.
Even if you cover, because East’s CK is doubleton,. he is endplayed when he wins the trick.
Both tables went down by the way, one on a club lead one on a heart lead – when the play should transpose.