Untitled XIV

A case with one hand holding a 7-card suit.

If North/South declare diamonds, the defense starts off with the ♣ A, the ♥ A, and two more top clubs, for four tricks. East then exits the ♦ K, and West has three natural trump tricks.

If East/West declare diamonds, North starts with the ♥ Q, destroying East's entry to the club winners. North has two spade tricks and four natural trump tricks. If East ducks the heart, that is North/South's seventh trick, while if East wins it, South has a spade entry to two good hearts, and can pitch two of North's club losers.

This is purely a case where one side (East/West) needs to take its entries in a particular order, and the other side can keep it from happening if on lead.

If North/South declare clubs, East/West start with the ♣ A, then the ♥ A, and two more top clubs. East then exits a heart to South, leading to: North/South get another heart, a club, a diamond, and two spades, for six tricks total.

If East/West declare clubs, the defense starts with the spade king, the diamond ace, the spade ace, and a spade ruff by North, then the heart queen, again killing the heart entry before clubs are unblocked. Say East wins, and crosses to the club ace.

There is no way to prvent South from getting two hearts and a club, and, in fact, North/South can make two club tricks via promotion. Suppose West exits in diamonds, North covering. If East ruffs high, South has two trump tricks. If East ruffs low, South overruffs, takes his hearts, then exits in spades or hearts, North ruffing with the ten, promoting a second trick. Similar promotions occur if West exits in spades or hearts.

If East/West declare hearts, the defense starts with two top spades and a spade ruff, then the ♦ A and a diamond. North/South have taken four tricks, and East/West can't prevent them from scoring three trumps.

If North/South declare hearts, West takes his club ace, then the ♥ A, two top clubs and a club ruff, leading to:

East/West have the first five tricks, and have a sure heart trick.