BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YOU are sitting East and partner leads ♠8, against South’s 3NT, after the above auction. How would you defend after dummy plays low?

WHATEVER strength declarer’s NT rebid might be, you can quickly tell that partner cannot hold more than 3 or 4 points, and possibly only a singleton spade. You have sufficient entries in your hand to establish spades — but the problem is that declarer might be able to make his nine tricks before you can make yours.

You must not win ♠K on the first round because you will give yourself the extra chance of partner having a second spade, together with an early entry to play it — perhaps ♦K. Note that holding off the first round cannot damage your chances, but you must be careful to encourage the suit by playing ♠9.