21st August 2019

A deal from the first round of the Northern Bridge League this year.
Dealer E N-S vulnerable.

S K
H AK
D KQ1093
C AK1042
   


   
S AQ75
H 7532
D 54
C 865

South
West
North
East



Pass
Pass
3S 4NT Pass
5C Pass
Pass Pass

After West's pre-empt, North showed a two suiter and South tried five clubs.  West led the eight of diamonds to the queen and ace.  East returned the nine of spades.  Declarer cashed the ace of clubs, West following with the jack.  How do you play now?

Solution

If you believe West's club to be singleton, you need a trump end play to make this contract.  Cash the top hearts, king of diamonds, diamond ruff, then heart ruff, diamond ruff, heart ruff, diamond from table.

The end position is

Dealer East
S
-
   
N-S vul
H

   
    D 3
   
    C K10
   
S
J108
    S

H

    H

D

    D

C

    C
Q97
    S
AQ7
   
    H

   
    D

   
    C

   

East has to trump and lead away from the queen, nine of clubs into dummy's king, ten.



Thanks to John Roberts for reporting and analysing this deal.