The Spade Finesse Was

Pages: Page 4 of 4

Dealer: South
Vuln: N-S
Scoring: Pairs
  1. spadeJ 10 9 4 3
  2. heartJ 10 5 2
  3. diamond7
  4. clubK 7 4
  1. spadeK 7
  2. heartK 9 6 3
  3. diamondJ 10 6 4
  4. clubA 10 3
club diamond heart spade NT
N - 2 - 3 -
S - 2 - 3 -
E 2 - 1 - -
W 2 - 1 - -
Green square in centre
  1. spade8 5 2
  2. heartA Q 7
  3. diamond8 5
  4. clubJ 9 8 6 2

Contract: 3NT
Declarer: South
Lead: diamond4
  1. spadeA Q 6
  2. heart8 4
  3. diamondA K Q 9 3 2
  4. clubQ 5
Double dummy analyser: makeable contracts
West North East South
1NT*
Pass 2club~ Pass 3NT#
Pass Pass Pass

* 15-17
~ constructive Stayman
# I've found a few extras

Although it immediately established a fifth winner for the defence, South won diamond9 and led spadeQ! Guessing from the overheard comment that the spade finesse would be wrong for a game in spades, declarer concluded there was therefore no point in attempting to access dummy, and even if East did have spadeK there was an excellent chance of a diamond continuation. West won and switched to a small club, so South went up with the king to encourage a minor suit return in the event of East winning clubA. As it was, South scored eleven tricks.

As he passed over the board for the next round, South could not resist a loud aside " ..lucky the spade was right partner!"
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