A Good 3-3 Fit
|
| ♠ |
A K 10 4 |
| ♥ |
A J 6 |
| ♦ |
7 4 |
| ♣ |
A K 8 4 |
|
|
| ♠ |
J 7 6 |
| ♥ |
Q 4 3 2 |
| ♦ |
K Q 10 9 |
| ♣ |
Q 5 |
|
|
| ♠ |
Q 9 8 2 |
| ♥ |
10 9 5 |
| ♦ |
6 3 |
| ♣ |
J 10 9 2 |
|
|
| ♠ |
5 3 |
| ♥ |
K 8 7 |
| ♦ |
A J 8 5 2 |
| ♣ |
7 6 3 |
|
|
5 ♣ and
5 ♦ both lose at least three tricks in the minors.
Declarer has eight top tricks in no trump, and it looks like he should be
able to set up a nineth trick somewhere, but it doesn't materialize.
The only game which makes is 4 ♥, declared by South.
On a non-diamond lead, declarer ruffs a spade, draws three rounds
of trumps, and cashes the club winners. Declarer then ducks a diamond to
West:
West can take his long trump, but then must attack the diamonds.
If he leads a high one, declarer ducks. In any event, declarer
will score the
♦ A and
♦ J.
If West had started with a diamond lead, declarer would duck the first
round, and West would have to shift. The end position would be
substantially the same.
If 4 ♥ is declared by North, however, East could
lead a diamond and set the contract.