BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

You are South, declarer in 6 ♠ against which West leads the ♥ K. Plan the play. even though the hand looks as though it depended on no more than the diamond finesse, think at Trick 1! You don’t have to take the diamond finesse — it could cost you two tricks. You should plan an elimination play on the hand — leaving the opponents with nothing to lead that can damage you.

Win the opening lead with the ♥ a and note that West has the ♥ Q. now draw trumps and cash three rounds of clubs, ending in dummy. next play ♥ J and discard your ♦ 8 on it. West must win, and if he leads a heart or club, it’ll give you a ruff-discard — you will ruff in dummy and discard the ♦ Q. If he leads a diamond, it’ll be straight into your ♦ a-Q. It won’t matter whether West or east holds the ♦ K. This is playing it for complete safety, not taking a chance.