BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

You, West, reach 3NT after South had dealt and passed. North leads ♣ 2, which South wins with the king and then plays ace and another club. After cashing his fourth club, North continues with a heart (dummy has discarded a spade; South and West discard hearts). Plan the play from there. WHEN you have lost all the tricks you can afford before you get a look-in, it is just as important to spend time planning your play, as you would at Trick One — sometimes more so.

This one is a bit tricky and requires a few logical assumptions, so the analysis will run for two days. Double-dummy enthusiasts will relish the thought of pondering possibilities overnight! The first assumption is that south must hold ♦ K, otherwise the contract has no chance. If diamonds break 3-3 there would be no problem. so our second assumption is going to be the more likely break, with south holding ♦ Kxxx. you win the heart lead in dummy and play ♦ 10, overtaking with the knave even if south plays low. We’ll see why tomorrow.