NEIL HAYWARD BRIDGE

Opening Lead: ♠K. What is your plan?

Recommended Line: If you play the diamonds yourself, a losing finesse will mean you lose a second diamond to the ♦J. However, you have no intention of finessing in diamonds. You intend to outsource that to West, who must be forced to lead into the “jaws” of your ♦AQ. This is not something West will do willingly, so you have to leave him with no alternative. You start removing West’s options at trick two. The ♠A wins, and you ruff a spade. Cross to the ♣A, and ruff a second spade. Cash both hearts, and lead across to the ♣K. Lead the fourth spade, discarding a diamond. West wins. Your twelfth trick is on the way. But be patient while West decides: will it be a diamond lead or a ruff-and-discard? Oh, the tyranny of tough choices!