The deal below is from a match-point event that had over twenty tables. Except for one, all the other declarers made only nine tricks in 3NT. The lone south who made an overtrick exhibited great anticipation in play. What did he do? If you are able to match his play, you can definitely rate your game as expert class.
Contract: 3NT by south. West leads the club ten, none or two above, i.e. from interior sequence. Plan the play.
Bidding explanation: South's 1NT response showed 6+points and forcing for one round. With a very good 17 points in his hand, north made an optimistic raise to 3NT.
How the play went: Declarer played the three from dummy and won the trick with the queen in his hand, RHO discarding a spade. A club was played to the eight in dummy next, east discarding a spade again. Declarer was forced to cash out his nine tricks as could not enter his hand to play a third club.
Analysis: The lone south who made the overtrick studied the dummy carefully before playing to the first trick. He came to the conclusion that if he played the club three from dummy to the first trick, he would be in the wrong hand when he wins the next trick with the eight. He also realised that if he entered his hand through the diamond ace to play one more club, west would dash with the ace and the defence would cash enough diamond tricks to defeat the contract. He came up with a brilliant solution which the others couldn't. By now you should have found the solution.
Solution: Declarer unblocked the club nine from dummy!! and won with the first trick with the queen in his hand. Next came the club seven and when west followed with the two, declarer let it ride. He could play one more club now towards dummy to generate a third trick in the suit. If west covers the seven with the jack, dummy wins with the king and plays a club to the six to drive out the ace and set up a winner in club eight! If west puts up the ace, a finesse position would ensue, dummy's K-8 surrounding west's J-5, the diamond ace providing the necessary entry to hand for the finesse.
Play out the deal using a deck of cards. You will be able to appreciate the play better.
Discussion: This deal is an ample proof that spot cards can play a more useful role than you may care to think!
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