#1 Neither Vulnerable
West North East South
1♣ DBL Pass 2♠
Pass 4♠ AP
West leads the ♣A.
West starts with three top clubs (AKQ),
then switches to the ♦K.
What is South’s plan?
North Dummy
♠ A Q 9 4
♥ A J 10 5
♦ A J
♣ 10 9 2
West
♠
♥
♦
♣ A
South Declarer
♠ K J 10 7 5
♥ K 9 8
♦ 10
♣ J 8 5 3
As South, you must find the ♥Q to make your contract. You know West started with three clubs so West has a balanced hand. When an opponent has a balanced hand and doesn’t open 1NT or 2NT, that opponent must have 12-14 or 18-19 HCP. With 18-19, opener usually bids again. Assume 12-14 if opener remains silent. West has turned up with 9 HCP in clubs and figures to have the ♦KQ for 14 HCP. Therefore, West does not have the ♥Q or else he would have opened 1NT. After drawing trumps, lead a heart to the ace and run the ♥J intending to finesse if the queen does not appear.
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