Harvey Bernstein's Plain Dealer Bridge Column

At first glance this hand does not appear to present any problems for declarer. As long as the outstanding trumps are not all in one hand, ten tricks are there for the taking. Even if West can get the king of diamonds on the table at trick one, it will take a 5-0 trump break to beat this hand.

So, of course, trumps are 5-0. The opening lead is given as the jack of clubs. If this hand ever comes up in real life and the West player finds the king of diamonds lead against you, feign an illness and head for the hills.

The first trick is won in dummy with the queen of clubs. The three of hearts is led and the bad trump situation is revealed. South wins the ace and now must determine how best to continue.

As it turns out, the contract is unbeatable if West has at least two cards in each of the black suits. South should first play two top spades. When West follows to both tricks, South must switch to clubs. A small club to the ace finds both defenders following. Next comes the king of clubs. If West has started with only two clubs and ruffs, declarer can over ruff in the North hand, draw the remaining trumps, and score the queen of spades for the tenth trick. If West follows to the third round of clubs, declarer should discard the queen of spades from the North hand. This allows declarer to lead his last spade from hand and ruff it in dummy for his tenth trick. West is helpless as the defense wins the last three tricks in both hands. 

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