Safer Than Sorry

West led the ♣ Q, and East played the ♣ J, declarer ducking.

West then shifted to the ♥ J. This was covered in dummy by the ♥ Q, East played the ♥ K and declarer won the ♥ A.

Declarer (geno on OKbridge) now appeared to have nine tricks; three spades, four or five diamonds, and two hearts. But if East got in before the tricks could be run, he would be able to lead a club through declarer's king.

Declarer therefore took a basic safety play, playing a diamond to the ace. He was rewarded when East dropped the ♦ K. Had declarer taken the finesse, he would have been down 3, and if West had the king, when he won it, he couldn't safely attack clubs.

The full deal was:

			♠ K 4 ♥ Q 10 6 4 ♦ A Q 8 7 4 ♣ 4 3
♠ 10 7 2 ♥ J ♦ 6 5 3 ♣ A Q 10 9 6 2						♠ J 6 5 3 ♥ K 9 8 7 3 2 ♦ K ♣ J 5
			♠ A Q 9 8 ♥ A 5 ♦ J 10 9 2 ♣ K 8 7

West might set this contract by initially leading a low club to East's jack. Declarer would have to win. Then it is no longer "safe" for declarer to take the ♦ A first. Still, would West have passed South's 1 ♦ opening bid with a good club suit and the ♦ K at favorable vulnerability? An argument can be made to play for the drop still, depending on West's overcalling style.