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Give and Take

South Deals
None Vul
IMPs
A 10 4
A Q 5 4 3
Q 5
A Q 4
K J 9 7 6 2
10 9 8 2
8 3
7
Q
K J 6
K 2
K 10 9 8 5 3 2
8 5 3
7
A J 10 9 7 6 5
J 6
South West North East
3 ♦ Pass 4 NT 5 ♣
5 ♦ Pass 6 ♦ All Pass

West heeded his partner's overcall, and led his stiff club.
Reading the writing on the wall, declarer flew up with the ace, led a low diamond to the jack, crossed to the ♥ A and ruffed a heart. Declarer then cashed another diamond, glad for the good break, crossed to the ♠ A, and ruffed another heart, felling East's king, at this position:
10 4
Q 5
—
Q 4
K J 9 7 6
10
—
—
—
—
—
K 10 9 8 5 3
8 5
—
10 9 7
J
With the lead in hand, declarer lead the ♣ J. Upon winning this trick, East would have to give entry to dummy's two queens, allowing declarer to pitch his spades.
But our East was cleverer - she simply let declarer win the ♣ J. A simple play, but one which entirely destroyed declarer. By giving up the only trick in her hand, she also kept declarer from reaching dummy, and West scored two spade tricks.
<< Seeing Spots
Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1995-2009.
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