Bridge Deal of the Week (Aug 04 2006)

Problem:

The Auction:
West   North   East   South
                                 1NT
2♣*    2♥**   3♥     3NT
pass     4♥       pass   5♦
all pass

* - both majors
** - A good hand with both minors

Partner's 2♥ showed both minors and a game forcing hand. You suggested 3NT over East's 3♥. Partner felt that the best spot would be 5 of a minor, and the 4♥ bid asked you to pick a minor, and you duly chose 5♦. In retrospect, maybe 3NT was a better spot after all. Though it is true that a spade lead will scuttle 3NT, on this auction opponents will surely lead a heart, after which there are 9 top tricks.

Well, now that you are in 5♦, you will have to see how to go about making it. West leads the ♣9. Without any opposing bidding, the best play is to hope that West has at least one club honor, and finesse the ♣J and then the ♣10. However, West's ominous lead is certainly a singleton, and you intelligently go up with the Ace. What now?

Hint:
There seem to be 3 unescapable losers in the form of 2 clubs and a spade. Since the spade loser cannot be avoided, you should look for a way to dispose off one of the club losers in your hand.

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Bridge Baron deal No: 13075447503802135599878021488

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Deal Of The Week