3rd February 2016

A deal from the Bramhall Teams on 20th January.
Dealer E Game All.

S 754
H 632
D AJ74
C QJ3
   


   
S 8632
H AJ74
D KQ
C A74

South
West
North
East



Pass
1NT Pass Pass Pass

A simple auction, West leads the five of clubs.  How do you play?

Solution

This is a simple hand, but don't play too quickly from dummy at trick one.  There are seven tricks available by way of four diamonds, two clubs and the ace of hearts.
If you play the club queen or jack at trick one and the defenders are alert they can stop you from reaching dummy after you have unblocked the king and queen of diamonds.
Simply play low from dummy at trick one and win the ace of clubs.  Then unblock the diamonds and return a club.

Thanks to Christine Benson for pointing out this analysis to me.