IMPs Dealer East all Vul
 J 9 7 A K J  Q 9 4  10 9 7 5 |
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| A K Q 5 4 3 10 9 4 A 8 3 2 |
The Auction:
| West | North | East | South |
| 1 |
1 |
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| Pass | 2 |
Pass | 4 |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
Final Contract: 4
Lead: Q
North’s cue-bid of two clubs promised a sound simple raise or better in spades. West led the queen of clubs and continued the suit to East’s king.
Declarer ruffed in hand, then drew trumps with the A and K. At trick five, appreciating the value of his 8, declarer led a heart to the A and ruffed dummy’s third club. Them he returned again to dummy with the K and ruffed dummy’s last club.
A and K. At trick five, appreciating the value of his 8, declarer led a heart to the A and ruffed dummy’s third club. Them he returned again to dummy with the K and ruffed dummy’s last club.The stage was set:
| J J Q 9 4 |
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| 8 10 6 5 2 |
Q 7 K J 7 |
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| Q 10 A 8 3 |
Declarer exited from dummy with the , not caring who won it: he could afford one diamond loser. Had East won with the Q, he’d have been immediately endplayed, as happened in practice.
, not caring who won it: he could afford one diamond loser. Had East won with the Q, he’d have been immediately endplayed, as happened in practice. However, had West won the J with the Q, he’d also have been forced into leading diamonds. If he’d led the jack or ten, declarer would have covered with the queen, then won the king with the ace.
J with the Q, he’d also have been forced into leading diamonds. If he’d led the jack or ten, declarer would have covered with the queen, then won the king with the ace. The nine and eight would then have been equals against the other low honour. Had West exited with a low diamond, declarer was planning to let East’s ten or jack hold the trick, effectively endplaying that defender. Declarer lost just one trick in each side suit.
The 4 hands:
| J 9 7 A K J Q 9 4 10 9 7 5 |
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| 10 6 8 6 2 10 6 5 2 Q J 8 4 |
8 2 Q 7 5 3 K J 7 A K 6 3 |
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| A K Q 5 4 3 10 9 4 A 8 3 2 |