16th June 2021


Dealer North
S
AKJ2
   
E-W Vul
H
AJ10
   
    D AK1042
   
    C 4
   
S
Q3
    S
1085
H
K9753
    H
Q42
D
9653
    D
J7
C
98
    C
KJ1032
    S
9764
   
    H
86
   
    D
Q8
   
    C
AQ765
   

South
West
North
East


1D Pass
1S Pass 4C  Pass
4S Pass Pass Pass




This deal is from the Lancashire league.  The auction was the same in both rooms and a heart was led by West.
John Holland took the heart ace and played three top diamonds to try to discard his heart loser.  When East ruffed in with the five of spades John over ruffed and played ace and another club trumping in dummy.  Another good diamond followed, again ruffed low and over ruffed.  Another club was ruffed with the jack of spades and the last diamond was played from dummy.  East ruffed with his spade ten and John finally discarded his heart loser.  East played a heart trumped by declarer who then played the club queen.  West erred by ruffing this, over ruffed with the spade king and the last two tricks were made on a cross ruff. 

In the other room declarer finessed the heart at trick one, won the club return and when the trumps and diamonds behaved kindly quickly wrapped up the same twelve tricks.

John's line gains when East has Qxx of spades.  It is also a lot more entertaining for dummy to watch.