BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

You are South, declarer in 6NT against which West leads the ♥ J. Plan the play. YOU can count 11 top tricks and the 12th might come from a lucky club finesse. But do you need to take it, when it could cost you two tricks? If hearts break 3-3, all will be well, but that looks unlikely.

Start by winning the ♥ J in hand and then cash the ♠ AKQ. West discards a diamond on the third. Now cash your four diamond tricks — West discards a club on the fourth. Now try the hearts but, as you suspected, you find West started with ♥ J-10-9-8.

Don’t panic and take the club finesse. Play dummy’s fourth heart and discard the ♣ 4 on it. West will be forced to win, and having nothing left but clubs will have to lead the suit, so it won’t matter who has the ♣ K as you will win the two club tricks anyway.