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Another 3-3 Fit

J
Q J 10
A Q 8 7
K 10 6 4 2
10 8 6 4
K 8
J 9 5
J 9 7 3
 
Q 9 7
9 6 4 3 2
K 10 2
Q 5
A K 5 3 2
A 7 5
6 4 3
A 8
The only game that makes for North/South is 4 by South.
West might shy away from leading a trump in this case, so he leads a diamond, won by North's ace. The top spades are cashed, followed by a spade ruff, the top clubs, and a club ruff at this position:
Q J
Q 8 7
10 4
10
K 8
J 9
J 9
 
9 6 4 3 2
K 10
5 3
A 7 5
6 4
A timid East might ruff low, or pitch a diamond. Then South ruffs another spade, another club ruffed, and another spade, scoring five ruffs and five top tricks.
So in this situation, East must ruff with the 9. South overruffs with the A, ruffs another spade, leads and leads a club from North here:
Q
Q 8 7
10
K 8
J 9
J
 
6 4 3 2
K
5
7 5
6 4
Whatever East does, South will win in hand and lead his last spade, scoring the Q en passant.
The defense gets the last three tricks.
If West leads the 8, North/South are not really hurt - the key was to score five trumps along with the five top tricks in diamonds, spades, and clubs. The play is essentially the same, leading to this position:
Q
Q 8 7
10 4
10
K
J 9
J 9
 
9 6 4 3
K 10
5 3
A 7
6 4
Again, East must ruff with the 9, but it does not do any good, North still scores remaining trump on a spade ruff and another club scores the 7.
<< An Ace-less 3-3 fit
Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 1999-2014.
A Weak and Strong 3-3 Fit >>
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