Good Fortune

Declarer hopefully inserted dummy’s seven as East contributed the four and continued with a low heart to the nine. East scored the queen and switched to a spade but with the jack of hearts dropping in three rounds and clubs breaking 3-3, nine tricks were home, N-S +600. It was clear that there would be no hope of establishing the diamonds but the heart suit offered a ray of hope.

South might have tried two hearts (fourth suit forcing) in search of three-card spade support or an unlikely but possible 4-4 heart fit. This action would not have altered the final contract since South will convert partner’s three diamond rebid to the nine-trick game.

The diamond lead was innocuous but would rarely be an effective choice since North owned at least a five-bagger.

West was confronted with a difficult selection but a heart appears to be more reasonable. It is possible that declarer might go wrong when dummy’s nine is topped by the queen and king. Nine tricks will be available by playing a low heart on the third round but another option would be to lead the ten hoping to pin the eight-spot establishing the seven as master.

The nine-trick game is likely to be reached at a majority of tables although some may land in a minor suit partscore where ten tricks are readily available.