#4 Both Vulnerable
South   West   North   East
 2NT      Pass     3NT      AP
 

North (Dummy)
♠ Q 7
♥ 6 5 4
♦ J 7 6 5
♣ Q 10 5 4

West                                     East
♠ 5                                          ♠
♥                                             ♥ 
♦                                             ♦ 
♣                                            ♣

South (Declarer)
♠ A 3
♥ A Q J
♦ Q 10 9 8
♣ A K 3 2
 

West leads the ♠5. What is South’s plan?
 
This is a “timing” hand.

On the lead of the ♠5, declarer must play the ♠Q at trick one with this combination.  On the other hand, if South held the ♥A10x, then South would play low at trick one.  Once the ♠Q holds, declarer has two spades, four clubs (assuming that clubs break or the ♣J falls) and one heart.  With seven tricks “in the bag”, South needs two more tricks. 

There are two options: 1) South could build up three diamond winners but there is no time because South would have to lose the lead two times and the opponents would then get to enjoy their spade winners along with the ♦AK!  2)  Declarer’s only real choice on this hand is the repeat heart finesse.  Usually basing your contract on a promotion technique rather than a finesse is the better option.  However, when timing is involved, go with the technique which gives you the best chance time-wise.  If the heart finesse loses, declarer wasn’t ever going to make the hand anyway!

Take a look at the entire hand:

North (Dummy)
♠ Q 7
♥ 6 5 4
♦ J 7 6 5
♣ Q 10 5 4

West                                     East
♠ K 10 8 5 2                          ♠ J 9 6 4
♥ 10 8                                    ♥ K 9 7 3 2
♦ K 4                                      ♦ A 3 2
♣ J 8 7 6                                 ♣ 9

South (Declarer)
♠ A 3
♥ A Q J
♦ Q 10 9 8
♣ A K 3 2

Let me hear your comments!
  
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