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A Two-way Blockage

10 9 2
Q 5 2
Q 7 5 2
K J 4
4 3
A J 9 8
A J 10 8
6 3 2
8 6 5
6 4 3
K 9 3
9 8 7 5
A K Q J 7
K 10 7
6 4
A Q 10

Notrump

Only North can make 3 NT. If South declares notrump, then west can start with the J, and the defense starts with three diamonds, then a heart to the ace, and a fourth diamond.
But if East is on lead, the diamond suit is blocked. The defense can take three diamonds off the top, but then North's Q is good.

Spades

The trick here is to avoid letting East lead hearts twice. If North is declarer in spades, then East can lead hearts, and then again when he gets on lead with the K.
But if South is declarer, she can keep East from winning two diamonds by playing the Q if West leads the 8, and plays small diamonds otherwise. The suit is safely blocked. When East gets in with the diamond queen and leads a heart, south plays the K, and West must win the ace.
Declarer can easily achieve this end position:
Q 5
7
J 9
A
6 4
9
J
10 7
On the last spade, West is squeezed in the red suits.
<< A One-sided Blockage
Thomas Andrews (bridge@thomasoandrews.com), © 2000-2009.
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