#3 East West Vulnerable
West North East South
1♠ 1NT Pass 2NT
AP
East leads the ♠9
What is West’s plan?
North (Declarer)
♠
♥
♦
♣
West East
♠ A K 4 3 2 ♠ 9
♥ A Q 10 5 ♥
♦ 9 5 ♦
♣ 7 5 ♣
South (Dummy)
♠ 7 6
♥ J 7 6
♦ K J 10 6
♣ Q J 10 8
East’s ♠9 looks like a singleton or doubleton. Assuming either, there is no future in spades. North’s 1NT overcall shows 15-18 HCP. Take an average of 16 and add it to dummy’s 8 HCP, leaves the defending side 16 HCP. West is looking at 13 HCP which means partner has 3-4 points. If partner has the ♥K, or perhaps a minor suit entry, this hand can be set by switching to hearts. But which heart? Assume declarer has the ♥K, the proper card to lead is the ♥Q – a surrounding play. You have the ♥J surrounded by the ♥Q, ♥10 plus an unequal honor, the ace. Declarer wins the ♥K, but if partner gets in with a minor suit Ace, his heart return finesses the ♥J in dummy with your remaining ♥A10 which gives your side three heart tricks to go along with the ♠AK and ♣A – down 1!
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