Declarer Has the Answer

Pages: Page 5 of 6

Dealer: East
Vuln: E-W
Scoring: IMPs
  1. spadeJ 9 8
  2. heart10
  3. diamond
  4. clubK 10
  1. spade
  2. heart
  3. diamond9 8 6
  4. clubA 8 2
Green square in centre
  1. spade6
  2. heartJ
  3. diamond
  4. clubJ 9 6 4

Contract: 4heart
Declarer: North
Lead: diamond7
  1. spade
  2. heart
  3. diamondQ J 5
  4. clubQ 5 3
West North East South
Pass 1club*
1spade~ Dble# Pass 1NT
Pass 2diamond! Pass 2NT
Pass 3spade Pass 3NT
Pass 4heart End

* strong
~ 3/4 cards, longer side suit
# 2 controls
! GF Stayman

The deal was virtually double-dummy by now, so have a look at the remaining cards. Dummy (South) is on lead and declarer has lost just one trick.

North cashed dummy's diamond winners but had to throw his own spade winners to guarantee success! East refused to ruff, so North ruffed dummy's last diamond and although East could over-ruff, he was end-played.

If North discards any further clubs on those diamond winners then the defence can arrange to win enough club winners to prevail. Try it!

26/11/2024: I think declarer gets home easily enough if he immediately ruffs a low diamond in the six card end position. If East refuses to over-ruff, Declarer continues to pump through spade winners. Whatever the defdence do, declarer has the answer.

The full hand ..
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