1st August 2018

A deal from the National League Finals in June.
Dealer N Both vulnerable.

S 87543
H J6
D QJ7
C 1097
   


   
S AQ6
H KQ109
D AK4
C K54

South
West
North
East


Pass
Pass
2NT
Pass
3C Pass
3H Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass



You arrive in three notrump, West leading the club two (fourth highest) which East wins with the ace and returns the jack, which you duck.  A third club is played which you win with the king and play the king of hearts.  East wins this with the ace and plays the jack of spades, what do you play?

Solution

East has passed originally and turned up with two aces and two jacks.  He cannot have the spade king for his initial pass, so you play the spade ace successfully dropping West's singleton king.

This hand was played by Stefan Lindors of the winning Devon team in the A division.