#12 Neither Vulnerable
West   North  East     South
1NT    Pass    2♣       Pass
2♠       Pass    4♠       AP
 
Opening Lead: ♥10
East plays the ♥Q
What is South’s plan?
 
                                                North
                                                ♠
                                                ♥ 10
                                                ♦
                                                ♣
                 West (Declarer)                      East (Dummy)
                  ♠ ???                                             ♠ Q 10 9 4
                  ♥                                                   ♥ Q J 5  
                  ♦                                                    ♦ J 10
                  ♣                                                    ♣ K Q 9 6    
                                                South (you)
                                                ♠ 6 3
                                                ♥ A 9 8 7 6
                                                ♦ K 7 6 2
                                                ♣ 8 5
 
As South, the lead must be from shortness. When a 10 is led and you can see the 9, partner’s lead is from shortness, not top of a sequence. But is the lead a singleton or a doubleton? Ask yourself this question: If the lead is a singleton, how many hearts does declarer have? Well, if partner has a singleton heart, declarer has four hearts which does not match the bidding!
Once you decide to play partner for a doubleton heart, do not play the ♥A. Save partner’s remaining heart so he can lead it when he gets in. Had you held the ♦A (a certain outside entry), you wouldn’t have to worry about whether the lead is a doubleton or singleton.
 
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