Take the East seat. You follow to the
J
with the
3.
Declarer wins the
Q
and leads the
5,
six from West. Alas, you can't withhold your
ace. What will you play next, and why?
Neither side vulnerable South deals
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
EM |
|
SK |
|
|
|
|
1NT |
|
Pass |
3NT |
End |
|
Opening Lead:
J
East can see 14 points in his hand and 7 in dummy, for a total of 21.
Declarer must have at least 15 for his
strong notrump opening. West has already
shown the
J.
With 37 points accounted for, West can hold
at most a king. If it's the
K,
declarer will hold the
Q
and will eventually finesse against your
king for nine tricks. East should therefore
switch to the
2.
If West is gracious enough to produce the
K,
a spade return will defeat the contract.
West's
6
was a considerate play; he was trying to
send a suit-preference signal for spades (highest
club to show something in the highest side
suit.
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