#8 Both Vulnerable
North East South West
1♣ 1♥ 1♠ Pass
1NT 2♥ 4♠ AP
West leads the ♥10.
West’s ♥10 holds the trick.
West continues with the ♥2.
East wins the ♥J and plays the ♥A.
What’s South’s plan?
North Dummy
♠ A 10 6
♥ K 9 7
♦ A 9 6
♣ Q 9 8 3
West East
♠ ♠
♥ 10 ♥
♦ ♦
♣ ♣
South Declarer
♠ Q J 9 7 5 4 2
♥ 5 3
♦ K 8 5
♣ A
As South, there is a reasonable chance that West has the ♠K and will over trump if you trump high. If this happens, you are stuck with a diamond loser and you will be booked at trick four. To avoid the set, discard a diamond instead. It’s a sure loser anyway.
Now when East leads any other suit, you can win the return and take the spade finesse. With ten spades between the two hands, the percentage play is to take the finesse. When you get to 11 or more cards in a suit, you play for the drop.
Rule: As declarer, when there is a clear danger of being over trumped, consider discarding a sure loser instead, particularly if the suit cannot be continued effectively.
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