BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YOu, West, reach 5 ♣ , after N-S competed to 4 ♠ . How would you play this contract after North leads ♠ K? iT is difficult to see at this stage where the 11th trick is coming from, except that it will need to be from the heart suit.

When you have the ace of an opponent’s suit opposite a void, it is normally better to keep it until you know what you want to discard.

so you play low from dummy and ruff the lead, then play to ♣ K. We assume both opponents follow, you return to hand with ♣ a and lead ♥ 2, planning to insert the 10 if North plays low.

if south has to win with the king, your problems are solved, so instead he wins with the knave, and you must now pray for a 3-3 break in the suit. south’s best return will be a diamond, and you go up with the ace, cross to ♥ a and discard ♥ Q on ♠ a, and ruff a heart. if both opponents follow, you can return to dummy with ♣ 8 to discard a diamond on the fourth heart.