IBPA Column Service example 841
Dealer South N/S Vul.
West led the king of clubs. Declarer took the opening lead with the ace, cashed the king and ace of trumps, thus marking West with at most a singleton in hearts.
 A 5 K J 9 8 3 K 6 3 6 4 3 |
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| K Q J 10 9 4 A 4 A 8 7 A 2 |
The Auction:
| West | North | East | South |
| 1 |
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| 2NT* | Double | 3 |
3 |
| Pass | 3 |
Pass | 3 |
| Pass | 4 |
Pass | 4NT** |
| Pass | 5*** |
Pass | 6 |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
* At least 5-5 in the minors
** Roman Key Card Blackwood
*** One key card
West led the king of clubs. Declarer took the opening lead with the ace, cashed the king and ace of trumps, thus marking West with at most a singleton in hearts.
So declarer continued with the jack of hearts from dummy, with the intention of running it if not covered. This would lose only if West had either three trumps or a singleton queen of hearts.
As the cards lay, this was the only winning line.
East covered the jack of hearts with the queen and declarer won with the ace, then drew East’s remaining trump.
Next he played a heart to the king and ruffed out East’s ten of hearts. The diamond king provided the entry to the established eight of hearts, on which declarer’s losing diamond was thrown.
If West had shown up with one trump it would still be the correct play to lead the jack of hearts at trick three as it would be at least two to one that East had the queen of hearts.
It is only when West has a void in trumps that declarer should play the ace and king of hearts after drawing trumps.
Then, if West produces the ten of hearts, declarer should make certain of the contract by discarding the two of clubs from hand. If the nine loses to the queen, the eight of hearts would still take care of declarer’s diamond loser.
The Complete Hand:
| A 5 K J 9 8 3 K 6 3 6 4 3 |
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| 6 2 2 Q J 10 4 2 K Q J 10 5 |
8 7 3 Q 10 7 6 5 9 5 9 8 7 |
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| K Q J 10 9 4 A 4 A 8 7 A 2 |