Bridge Deal of the Week (Aug 11 2006)

Problem:

The Auction:
West   North   East   South
            1♦       1♥     3NT
all pass

West dutifully leads the ♥8. Your play to this trick is quite crucial, and you rise to the occasion by playing the ♥Q. If East ducks, you will score a second heart trick by leading up to your King. If East wins this trick, he cannot attack hearts without losing a trick. East decides to win the trick with the ♥A and switches to the ♠8. You try the 9, which loses to the Queen. West plays another heart, East cover's dummy's card and you win the King. You play three rounds of diamonds, East follows to two of them, and discards an encouraging club on the third round. You continue with a spade to the 10, which loses to the King. West plays a club. Do you finesse?

Hint:
If the club finesse is on, the hand is cold. However, East is more likely to hold the ♣Q for his overcall. East also discarded an encouraging club, and though that is not concrete evidence, it is another point in favor of East holding the ♣Q. Assuming East does hold the card, can you see a way to make the contract?

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Bridge Baron deal No: 14621306294056424090999027850

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Deal Of The Week