BRIDGE

♠42 ♥A 10 7 6 ♦K J 4 ♣A 9 6 3 N S ♠K J 3 ♥K J ♦A Q 7 5 ♣Q J 10 4

YOU are South, declarer in 3NT with no opposition bidding. West leads the ♠7, and East plays the ♠9. Plan the play.

If you stopped to think and count at Trick One, you will realise that you have one spade trick, three hearts, four diamonds, and the ♣A, and you might think you’d get more if you went straight for clubs, your longest suit. And so you would, if the club finesse happens to be right. But if it is offside, you have only the ♠K3 left, and the Rule of Eleven will tell you that West is sitting there like a spider in the web, just waiting for East to win a trick and lead a spade through your remaining tenace. Don’t risk it. Finesse hearts into West’s hand. If he wins, he can’t hurt you by continuing spades. If he switches to a club, take with the ♣A, and cash your nine tricks.