From the Real World
9 2
10 9 5 4 2
K J 4 3
J 8
K 5
J 8
Q 9 8 6 2
10 9 7 6
7 6
K Q 3
10 7 5
K Q 5 4 3
A Q J 10 8 4 3
A 7 6
A
A 2
This deal comes from a Hungarian Teams Semifinal, and was submitted by
Gal Hegedus. When played in the match, the two contracts were
3 NT by North, and
4 ♠ by South, which we'll see are
the exact best sides for these two games.
Spades
If South declares
4 ♠, he can make by unblocking the
♦ A and using the
♠ 9 as an entry to pitch
either a club or heart loser.
If North declares, however, East can lead a spade to kill North's entry
before the diamonds are unblocked, and declarer must lose two hearts, a
spade, and a club.
Notrump
If South declares
3 NT, a lead of the
♣ 10 sets it. Declarer cannot avoid losing four clubs and a spade.
But if North declares, the defense run into a blockage problem in clubs. East must lead one of his high clubs, which declarer can safely win with the ace,
leaving the club jack in his hand. Then when West wins the
♠ K, the club suit is blocked:
The Real Play
Against
3 NT, the real East chose to underlead his
clubs, which turned out bad for him, and declarer was able to actually take
eleven tricks when, after unblocking his diamonds, east won the first spade and failed to kill the heart entry to South's hand.