BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

WEST is declarer in 3NT and North leads ♥ 6, on which South plays ♥ 4. Plan the play. YoU have four top tricks, and four more once the ♦ A is knocked out, plus a second heart. An easy, straightforward contract — so what can be the problem?

If the opponent with ♦ A has two other diamonds, he is sure to hold it up for two rounds, to prevent you from reaching dummy’s estab - lished suit.

However that should present no problem, because North’s fourth-best lead is clearly away from the king, so you can gain an entry by leading low towards dummy’s queen.

That is exactly the winning line, but most declarers will have gone down, because they will already have taken the first trick cheaply with the ♥ 9, before spotting the pitfall.

That’s too late, as North will go up with the king, when you lead low, and the suit is blocked. The solution is simply to win the first trick with your ace.