This hand is fascinating, the defense has eight points and one slip from declarer sees the contract go down. I have to wonder though. If the round-suited deuces were to “migrate” (just to pick a completely random word with no history in this column…), then inserting the jack on the second round of clubs would still lose after East was able to clear clubs on the third round.
Low club from the board at first trick, absolutely. But there may be a case for playing the king at round 2 on the theory that it wins if East started with Qx or Qxx. Then it doesn’t matter who takes the second diamond, West will never be able to enjoy the long clubs. Then again, in this line, if the QC and AD “migrated” (there’s that word again!), you’d have found a way to lose that would require a lot of explaining.
And that is what is so fascinating. 32 HCP and even with best play, declarer can’t be sure he’ll get it right in 3NT. 5D though – that looks a lot easier.
Cheers,
Jeff
Iain ClimieApril 30th, 2026 at 10:43 am
Hi Jeff,
Good points butt there is another possibility too after declarer has messed up. Take the first D with the A and play another small club. Declarer takes the trick in dummy and claims the rest taking the marked D finesse – Oops!
Subscribe to our feed
Bridge-related
Hey Everyone,
This hand is fascinating, the defense has eight points and one slip from declarer sees the contract go down. I have to wonder though. If the round-suited deuces were to “migrate” (just to pick a completely random word with no history in this column…), then inserting the jack on the second round of clubs would still lose after East was able to clear clubs on the third round.
Low club from the board at first trick, absolutely. But there may be a case for playing the king at round 2 on the theory that it wins if East started with Qx or Qxx. Then it doesn’t matter who takes the second diamond, West will never be able to enjoy the long clubs. Then again, in this line, if the QC and AD “migrated” (there’s that word again!), you’d have found a way to lose that would require a lot of explaining.
And that is what is so fascinating. 32 HCP and even with best play, declarer can’t be sure he’ll get it right in 3NT. 5D though – that looks a lot easier.
Cheers,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Good points butt there is another possibility too after declarer has messed up. Take the first D with the A and play another small club. Declarer takes the trick in dummy and claims the rest taking the marked D finesse – Oops!
Regards,
Iain
Jeff –
That sounds like a good theory! 🙂 🙂