#7 Both Vulnerable
South West North East
1NT Pass 2♦ Pass
3♦ Pass 4♥ AP
North (dummy)
♠ 7 4 3
♥ Q J 10 9 4 3
♦ J 9
♣ K 10
West East
♠ A K 6 2 ♠ 10
♥ K 5 ♥
♦ 7 5 2 ♦
♣ 8 5 4 3 ♣
South (declarer)
♠
♥
♦
♣
West leads the ♠A. East signals with the ♠10. West continues with the ♠K and another spade. South trumps the 3rd round of spades and leads the ♥6. What is West’s plan?
As East, when signaling encouragement with equal spot cards, play the higher or highest equal, the ♠10. If you signal with the ♠9, you deny the ♠10!
As West, continue with the ♠K and a spade as requested. As West, if South leads a low heart at trick four, this is your thinking: If South had the ♥A, is this how South plays hearts? Why isn’t South taking a finesse? South doesn’t have the ♥A! Your partner has it and it’s singleton! Play low and save the day!
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