BRIDGE

Contract: 3NT by South. Opening Lead: plan? Q. What is your Recommended Line: You have eight tricks. If East has either the SA or the

K, you can make nine tricks, via a successful finesse. However, if either of these finesses fails, the contract is at risk.

If you consider things more deeply, you will see that, even if both finesses are destined to fail, you will make your contract if West leads a major to you. This will only happen if your left hand opponent has no choice. So, you must remove all options that are more palatable.

To do this, win the first trick, and cash three top diamonds in your hand. You cannot afford more than that.

Then cash another top club, and concede a club. West cashes three winners, but must then lead a spade or a heart. Nine tricks.

In Cape Town, they say the philosophy is: never put off till tomorrow what you can put off till next week.

Equally, never take a finesse you can get an opponent to take for you.