#3 East West Vulnerable
South   West   North   East
 1NT       Pass    3NT       AP
                                                North
                                                ♠ K 4 2
                                                ♥ K J 8
                                                ♦ K 10 9 6 2
                                                ♣ J 9
                              West                             East
                              ♠ 6                                  ♠
                              ♥                                     ♥
                              ♦                                      ♦ 
                              ♣                                     ♣
                                                South (you)
                                                ♠ A 7 3
                                                ♥ Q 10 6 4
                                                ♦ Q J 5
                                                ♣ A K 3
 
West leads the ♠6. What is South’s plan?
 
As South, you have it easy if spades are 4-3, but what if spades are 5-2? The opponents may be able to set up 3 spade tricks before you can force out both red aces. If the aces are divided, however, you have a chance! A basic notrump play principle requires a first round hold up play with two stoppers along with two high cards to drive out. Ducking a spade and winning the second round of spades cuts the communication between the two defenders when one of the defenders holds a doubleton.
 
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