Hunters Hill Bridge Club Inc.

It’s always a good idea, as declarer, to pause before playing to the first trick and ask yourself “what could go wrong?” That way, you will be better equipped to deal with any surprises. This interesting deal comes from the 2004 Lindfield Super Congress. Dealer is South; both sides vulnerable.
West . . . . . . . . . East

AJ7642 K AKJ8 A5

K5 Q8653 9 KT963

With the opponents silent, West opens 2♣ and shows spades, East shows hearts and clubs, and the final contract is 4♠. North leads the ace of hearts, and switches to ♦2. South plays ♦Q and your ace takes the trick. So far, the defence has been more than helpful. The hand looks cold for eleven tricks, even twelve if trumps behave. Could anything go wrong?

At trick 3 you play ♠2, ♠3 from North, king from dummy, and South discards a small diamond. Oh, dear! With QT98 of trumps still sitting over you, dreams of +680 vanish. You will be happy to make your contract. What is your plan to avoid the loss of three trump tricks in addition to the ace of hearts?