BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

REMEMBER West’s double — he must have something in hearts, as well as his known clubs. No use praying for him to have the ♥AK, otherwise what has West got for his double?

West may, however, have the ♥A, and your only hope is to make two clubs and two hearts.

Play the ♣Q on partner’s opening ♣A. This is a standard signal requesting that West should underlead his other top honour at trick 2.

If you didn’t want to ensure he underled, you would not drop the queen.

So West leads a low club next, in response to your demand, you win with the ♣J and return the ♥Q, in the remote hope that partner might hold the ace.