BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YOU are South, declarer in 4 ♠ . West leads the ♣ K, which you win in dummy. Plan the play. LeAD a low trump and finesse the ♠ J. this is a safety play against the strong possibility of a 3-1 trump break. if you cash the ♠ A-K and the queen doesn’t drop, either defender can ruff in when you try to run dummy’s diamonds, then cash three hearts.

if east started with the ♠ Q-x-x-x, you will see it on the first round when your ♠ J wins, and you can afford one diamond to return to dummy to repeat the finesse. if east is void in trumps, you will see that also.

Let West’s ♠ Q win while he can’t damage you with a heart switch. the same applies if either defender started with ♠ Q-x-x. safety first is a good motto.