This week’s deals have treated deceptive play. To test yourself, cover today’s East-West cards. How would you proceed as declarer when West leads the jack of hearts?
In a team-of-four match, one declarer took the first heart in his hand and led his six of diamonds to dummy’s jack. He was seeking to ruff his other low diamond in dummy, but East took the ace and led a trump. West took the Q-A and led a third trump, and South’s seven of diamonds was a loser at the end. Down one.
FINESSE
The declarer at the other table did better with a deceptive move. He won the first heart in dummy and led the jack of diamonds for a fake finesse. East could — maybe should — have beaten the game by rising with the ace to shift to trumps. But East thought declarer might be about to pass the jack to West’s queen.
So East played low, and the jack won. When dummy led another diamond, East took his ace, but South lost only two trumps besides, making four.
Did you find the winning play?
DAILY QUESTION
You hold: S A Q 5 H J 10 9 D 10 9 5 2 C 10 4 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, you “advance” 1NT and partner then bids three clubs. What do you say?
ANSWER: Your partner has a big hand, and a game contract should be available somewhere. You could insist on 3NT, but he might hold a hand such as 72,AK76,4,AKQ853. Bid three spades to confirm a sound spade stopper. If partner bids 3NT next, you will accept that contract.
South dealer
N-S vulnerable
NORTH
S J 8 3
H A 5 4 2
D J 3
C J 8 7 3
WEST
S A Q 5
H J 10 9
D 10 9 5 2
C 10 4 2
EAST
S 4 2
H Q 8 6 3
D A 8 4
C Q 9 6 5
SOUTH
S K 10 9 7 6
H K 7
D K Q 7 6
C A K
South West North East
1 S Pass 2 S Pass
4 S All Pass
Opening lead — H J
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