Held to Five
K 2
8 7 6 5
A Q 9 4
J 10 3
J 10 3
K 2
8 7 6 5
A Q 9 4
8 7 6 5
A Q 9 4
J 10 3
K 2
A Q 9 4
J 10 3
K 2
8 7 6 5
In this case, the defense can always hold declarer to five tricks
in every contract.
If South declares notrump, hearts, or clubs, the defense can take eight
tricks off the top, playing four trumps first in the trump contracts.
If South declares spades, the defense starts with three top clubs, East
pitching a diamond on the third round. West then leads a fourth club
at this position:
If North ruffs low, East overruffs and the defense runs three hearts and
promotes another trump trick with a fourth heart.
If North ruffs high, East pitches a diamond, leading to the position:
What are North/South to do? The high ruff promoted one trick for West.
Attacking diamonds now lets East ruff.
So the best thing for declarer is to play the ace, queen and low
spade, leading to this position:
with West on lead. Now the defense takes three hearts and the
♥ 9.
South can ruff, but that promotes East's trump eight.