One possibility is T9xxx,
in which case you are safe whatever happens. A second possibility is QT9xx,
in which case East will win his Ace and return a Diamond, after which the
contract will depend on the whereabouts of the ♣A … if it’s in the hand with
long Diamonds you are down … if not, then you make your contract (with an
overtrick). In both the above cases it doesn’t matter what you do, the lie of
the cards will determine your success or failure.
But now consider what to do if
West has led from AT9xx. Low from Dummy, low from East, what do you
play?
►
You could duck, praying that the
♣A is with the short Diamonds. But the correct play is to win the first trick
with the King. Now the Diamonds are blocked! When the defense gets in with the
♣A, their Diamonds are all winners but they cannot be untangled … West has
♦A9xx
remaining and East has ♦Q
So, the winning plays at Trick 1
are low from Dummy and the King from hand. Here is the full deal:
►
|
|
♠ AK6
♥
K64
♦
J72
♣ T984 |
|
|
♠ T32
♥
J73
♦
AT983
♣ A6 |
Dummy
West East
Declarer |
♠ Q9854
♥
9852
♦
Q4
♣ 32 |
|
|
♠ J7
♥
AQT
♦
K65
♣ KQJ75 |
|
P.S.
There is another possible West holding. He might have led from AQT9x, in
which case Declarer may have a second stopper by playing Dummy’s Jack at Trick
1. But that play also requires West to hold the ♣A. The odds are better that
West has QT9xx than that he has AQT9x and the ♣A.
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