#3 East West Vulnerable
South West North East
1NT Pass 3NT AP
North (dummy)
♠ K 4 2
♥ K J 8
♦ K 10 9 6 2
♣ J 9
West (you) East
♠ Q 9 8 6 5 ♠ J 10
♥ A 5 ♥
♦ 8 4 ♦
♣ 10 8 5 4 ♣
South (declarer)
♠ A 7 3
♥
♦
♣
On the lead of the ♠6, and North plays the ♠2, East should play the ♠10 (the lower of touching honors). If the ♠K is played from North’s hand, then East should play the ♠J to show the touching honor below (♠10). As West, if South wins the ♠10 with the ♠A, assume East has the ♠J. If East holds the ♠10 and returns the ♠J, then overtake with the ♠Q to continue the spades while you still have the HA in your hand! The overtake is an obvious play when holding the underlying spot cards. Leading East on lead with the ♠J risks East having only two spades and East not being able to continue a 3rd round of spades. Rule: 3rd hand plays lower of touching honors when dummy plays low. 3rd hand plays higher of touching honors when the dummy plays a high honor.
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How Do You Defend? 3-3

