How Do You Defend? 5-6

East West Vulnerable

South  West  North  East
Pass      Pass   1♦         Pass
2NT      AP

West leads the ♥3.
East plays the ♥10 and South wins the ♥J.
South leads the ♠J.
West ducks once and wins the second spade.
What is West’s plan?

North (Dummy)
♠ K Q 10 4 2
♥ 7 6 5
♦ 8 3 2
♣ A K

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

South (Declarer)
♠ J  
♥ J  
♦ 
♣ 

This is a “clue in the bidding” hand.

West leads the ♥3, dummy plays the ♥5, East the ♥10 and South wins the ♥J. South leads the ♠J which West ducks once and wins the second spade led by South. West can count four spades, three hearts (based on East’s trick one play of the ♥10) and two clubs – 9 tricks! When a defender can count nine tricks in declarer’s hand in three suits, it’s time to switch to the fourth suit!

West stops to count declarer’s points. As a passed hand, South usually has less than 12 HCP. South has shown up with 9 HCP (♠J, ♥AKJ). The end result is that East must have the ♦A. West should switch to the ♦K and with East’s encouraging ♦7 signal, continue over to East’s remaining four diamond tricks.

Take a look at the entire hand:

North (Dummy)
♠ K Q 10 4 2
♥ 7 6 5
♦ 8 3 2
♣ A K

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

South (Declarer)
♠ J 3
♥ A K J 4
♦ J 10 9
♣ J 10 9 8

Let me hear your comments!

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