#7 Both Vulnerable
South West North East
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
North (dummy)
♠ 10 3
♥ 8 7 6
♦ Q 7 3
♣ A Q J 6 5
West (you) East
♠ K 8 6 5 2 ♠ A
♥ J 9 3 ♥
♦ J 9 4 ♦
♣ 8 7 ♣
South (declarer)
♠ J
♥
♦
♣
As West, no matter how South players her spades, go by the card your partner returns to get an honest count. If East started with the A97, the ♠9 would have been returned. When 3rd hand returns “Current Count” when returning partner’s opening lead. The return of the ♠7 indicates that South holds the ♠9. Based on this card reading, declarer remains with a high spade. To maintain communication between the East and West hands, West should duck the second spade. This play allows East to gain the lead and return the third round of spades which West wins with the ♠K, cashes the two remaining spades, setting the contract with four spade tricks and East’s side suit entry.
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