NEIL HAYWARD BRIDGE

Opening Lead: ♥A, ♥K and ♥Q by West. You ruff the third heart. What now?

Recommended Line: You have lost two tricks, and two more threaten: one in diamonds, one in trumps. Many folk would finesse in the spade suit, since it seems like a “normal” play. However, you might decide to find out just how “normal” it is to finesse in trumps. At trick four, lead the ♦K. East will win a diamond trick with the ♦A. Since East passed West’s opening, the ♠K cannot be on your right, so a spade finesse is pointless, and you will have to play the ♠A and hope to drop the singleton ♠K on your left. Your hopes are fulfilled, and you will notice your opponents holding their cards a little closer to their chest on the next hand.