3rd Dec 2025



Dealer North
S
A765
   
Love All
H
J98754
   
    D 4
   
    C J6
   
S
Q108
    S
J42
H
1062
    H
K
D
Q1072
    D
9865
C
KQ4
    C
A9872
    S
K93    
    H
AQ3
   
    D
AKJ3
   
    C
1053
   


South
West
North
East


Pass
Pass
1NT Pass 2D Pass
2H Pass Pass 2NT
Pass 3D All Pass

A deal from an online duplicate.


After North South had alighted in two hearts East protected with a bold two notrump to show the minors.  This carries some risk but not vulnerable at pairs it is important to compete the part scores.  Neither opponent saw fit to bid any more (North should probably try three hearts).

On a heart lead followed by three rounds of spades declarer unblocked the queen to win the third round in dummy.  Now a trump went to South's king followed by a club to the queen, now a heart ruff and another trump won by South.  Another heart was ruffed in dummy followed by a club to the king and another to the ace.  This left West with Q10 of diamonds and South with J3.  When another club was led from dummy South had to ruff and West could overruff and win the final trick for one off.  This was an excellent score as North South usually made ten tricks in hearts.