South Dealer, N/S vulnerable
When dummy has few entries, declarer must handle them with care. In today’s deal, West managed dummy’s entries better than South did. South took the queen of hearts and led a spade to finesse with the ten. West won with the queen and shifted to a club, threatening dummy’s one remaining entry.
South won in his hand and led the jack of spades; but West rose with the ace and led another club, forcing out the king while the spades were -blocked. South could then take only eight tricks.
“Nice shift,” South muttered.
“Nice of you to give me the chance,” said West.
NO FINESSE
South needs no spade finesse; he has the material for two spade tricks in any case. South must take the
first heart in his hand and lead the king of spades. West can win and shift to a club, but South wins and leads the jack of spades. If West wins and leads another club, South can win, cash the ten of spades, and get to dummy with the queen of hearts to take the nine of spades.