Bridge Corner
By Gary Mitchell, Jan, 5 2007

The bidding

East’s 2NT was the “Unusual NT,” promising at least 5–5 in the minor suits with either a very bad hand or a very good hand. 

The play

West led the Spade Ace, followed by the King. East discarded the Club 7. That looked like a high signal in Clubs, so South was now pretty sure that East had the Club King. West, having four trumps, decided to try to shorten South’s trump holding and so led a low Spade at trick three. When East trumped, South had to overtrump. South now played the Heart Ace and East showed out. In order to pull all of West’s trump, declarer would have to use all of his trump. That would give declarer five Heart tricks, three Diamonds and a Club. He would have a good Jack of Diamonds in his hand, but no way to get there. Do you see a way?

Declarer knew East had no more Spades or Hearts. He was also very confident that East held the Club King. So, declarer played four rounds of Hearts, pulling all of West’s trump. On the fourth Heart, he discarded a Club from dummy. Not just any old Club, but the Ace! Now declarer played the three top Diamonds and led a Club from dummy. East could win the King, but would then have to lead a Club or Diamond, giving declarer 10 tricks. 

We all would have seen this play, right?

Questions: gary@smabridge.com 
Lessons: 152-6351.