Oct 11 2009
Unintuitive Safety Play
On a 2S-4S auction, team scoring, what is the best play to make this contract?
 A2
|
 |
| KQT983
|
A432
32
AKT32Some friends encountered this hand during a knockout match at the recent sectional in Raleigh. At one table, a diamond was led, which leads to an easy make if the spades are not 5-0, since a spade switch will remove any possibility of a trump loser. At the other table, a heart was led. Declarer, the “King of Raleigh” (ie most masterpoints won this weekend) did not find the correct play. Can you?
Win the AH (good play) and now lead the deuce of spades to the ten. If the spades are Jxxx offside, this eliminates the opponents’ ability to cash three quick diamonds when the clubs are 2-3 instead of 3-2. You will only go down if the clubs are Jxxx offside, but you make against all other layouts, including the actual one:
| A2
|
||
| J765
|
|
4
|
| KQT983
|