Take All Your Chances


kantarbridge.com

North
♠ A 7 5
J 10 9
K 8 6 4 2
♣ 9 4
South
♠ K 8 4 2
A Q
A 5 3
♣ A K 8 6

2NT-3NT gets you the opening lead of the 4, East playing the 2, standard count. And now? Plan the play.
It looks very much as if hearts are 5-3 which means you must score nine tricks before they can get in twice. The good news is that you start with eight sure tricks. This should be your plan:
Play the AK. If both follow, give up a diamond ensuring 10 tricks. If diamonds are 4-1, duck a spade. You still make 3NT if spades are 3-3.
If you duck a diamond early and diamonds are 4-1, down you go. They play a second heart and you don’t have time to set up a ninth trick in spades even if the suit is divided 3-3. It is crucial to see how diamonds break before conceding a diamond. There are two suits involved here, not just one.

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