DECLARER PLAY PROBLEM #45

Rubber bridge
East dealer
East-West vulnerable

	NORTH ♠ Q 3 2 ♥ A K 7 4 ♦ J 2 ♣ Q J 10 9
	SOUTH ♠ A K J 6 5 4 ♥ 5 ♦ A 10 6 4 3 ♣ A

SOUTH	WEST	NORTH	EAST
—	—	—	Pass
1 ♠	Pass	2 ♣	Pass
3 ♦	Pass	3 ♠	Pass
4 ♣	Pass	4 ♥	Pass
6 ♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

West leads the heart jack.

Plan the play.

Solution

	NORTH ♠ Q 3 2 ♥ A K 7 4 ♦ J 2 ♣ Q J 10 9
WEST ♠ 9 ♥ J 10 8 ♦ Q 9 8 7 ♣ 8 6 4 3 2		EAST ♠ 10 8 7 ♥ Q 9 6 3 2 ♦ K 5 ♣ K 7 5
	SOUTH ♠ A K J 6 5 4 ♥ 5 ♦ A 10 6 4 3 ♣ A

EXCESS BAGGAGE. In view of dummy's poor spade spots, it is not a good idea for declarer to try to establish diamonds, perhaps depending on one or two ruffs in the North hand. Instead, declarer should try for six spade tricks, two hearts, one diamond and three clubs by discarding the ace of clubs on dummy's second heart winner and leading the queen of clubs for a ruffing finesse. (If allowed to win two clubs, declarer can lead a diamond to the ten and plan to ruff a diamond high in dummy.)

(Based on a deal and analysis from the 1964 National Intercollegiate Bridge Tournament by William S. Root and Lawrence Rosler.)

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