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In 4S, declarer needed some luck to make yet, with no more than his fair share, most failed. Expert South players sought less obvious means to bring home their contract.
Bidding
Dealer: North
Game All
Playing 5-card majors, North’s 1C was a “better” minor, although this player has form for opening either minor regardless of quality. West was dissuaded from leading a club, and started with 8♦. With trumps breaking 4-1, it seems as if declarer is still doomed to failure but, as the cards lie, there are possibilities. How do you set up the hand to exploit them . . . ?
South took J♦ with his K♦, and led 8♥. West hopped up with A♥ and switched to 2♣. Declarer played low; East won with Q♣, before returning 6♦. Declarer won in hand, and drew three rounds of trumps. Next, he cashed K♥, then A♦, and lastly Q♥. East refused to ruff, so Q♥ held the trick. Confident that he had the count, declarer now played his last trump from both hands. East won and, holding 10♣, he knew that the layout was perfect for South. He tried 10♣, but obviously, declarer covered it with J♣ in hand and, when this held the trick, 4S was made.
If West starts with a club and, when he wins A♥, continues, South is defeated, whereas if East-West don’t touch clubs, providing that declarer eliminates the red suits, he can again triumph by leading a low club from dummy, and the position works for him once more.
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