rainbow@ihuxe.UUCP (06/12/84)
S:8532 s w n e H:AJ8743 2S 3H dbl(a) rdbl(b) D: P 4D 5D 6D C:AKJ P P 6S P P P S:AQJT96 H: a)penalty Lead:AD(denying KD unless doubleton) D:Q93 b)SOS C:7542 How do you play the hand giving yourself the best chance to make the contract? ****************************************************************************** It sounds like east has at most one heart. Also easts minor suit holding is roughly equal. Perhaps 6 diamonds and 5 clubs or something similar. It is unclear where the spades reside. However if spades are 2-1, there is a line that makes the contract always. So proceed by ruffing the diamond lead. Now ruff a heart. Cash the AS leaving one trump out hopefully. Low club which west cant ruff because you play low from dummy and claim. Win AC. Now AH. If east ruffs you pitch a club and he is endplayed into giving up a extra diamond or club trick. Pitch a club. Ruff a heart. Another club and the same situation as before. Win KC. Ruff a heart. Ruff a diamond. Ruff a heart. Ruff a diamond. East must hang on to the KD or you can switch tacks and pitch the JC on the good QD. Therefore there is no fear of either opponent ruffing. This leaves the JH and JC on dummy. A trump and low club in hand. Lead the last heart. If east ruffs, pitch last club as you would have on any of the other heart leads if ruffed. If west has pitched hearts making the JH good at any time, just pitch the last club on it. Therefore, you can now safely make the contract by ruffing with your last trump. 12 tricks via 2 clubs, AS, 3 diamond ruffs, AH, and 5 heart ruffs. The opponents take the last trick with the QC or last trump, whichever they desire.