East made a couple of fine defensive plays on this deal, but Declarer parried with some good plays of her own, and eventually prevailed.

 

 

West opens 2♠ showing a 6-card suit and a weak hand.  West leads the ♠K, and Declarer ducks the first round, just in case West was being frisky and bid 2♠ on a 5-card suit.  The purpose of that “hold-up play” is to make sure that East is out of Spades when he later gains the lead.

 

Declarer wins the second round of Spades (East pitches a Club), and cashes two high Diamonds.  When West shows out on the second round, Declarer has only four Diamond tricks and must flush out East’s Aces in order to reach 9 tricks.  She leads the ♣K, but East cleverly ducks that, making his own hold-up play in order to shut out Dummy’s Club suit.  Declarer persists with Clubs and East wins the second round, then exits with a Diamond.  How did East know to win the second Club, rather than the first or third?

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