You Hold…

Test Your Play #1 - Solution

by Tom on April 16th, 2006

After 1NT (15-17) - 3NT by the opponents, you are faced with this defensive problem:

	A75
	76
	AQJT42
	52
		962
4		AT532
		73
		K96

Normally after partner leads 4th best, if you win the trick and return the suit, you return your original 4th best as well. However, this hand is a good exception to keep in mind. If you return the 3 of hearts at trick 2, partner may need to decide if you have 3 or 5. If you have 3, they need to switch immediately to try to get you back in to lead another heart through declarer. If you have 5, the suit is running. Return the 2 of hearts instead. If partner thinks you have 4, they will continue the suit anyway, “knowing” that declarer’s last card is dropping.

The whole hand:

	A75
	76
	AQJT42
	52
QT9		962
KJ94		AT532
96		73
T843		K96
	KJ83
	Q8
	K85
	AQJ7

Looking at 11 points in the dummy, 6 in their hand, and 15-17 by declarer, partner knows we have between 6 and 8 HCP. We’ve already won the Ace of hearts, but we could still have either the Ace of clubs or the King of diamonds. Partner might switch to a club at trick 3 if we aren’t careful with the heart spots.

Share This

POSTED IN: Defense, Intermediate