North-South vulnerable. South deals. North S: A 4 3 H: Void D: K 10 8 6 C: A 10 8 7 5 2 West East S: Q 9 8 7 2 S: 10 H: A 3 H: K J 10 8 7 6 2 D: J 7 5 4 D: Q 2 C: J 6 C: Q 4 3 South S: K J 6 5 H: Q 9 5 4 D: A 9 3 C: K 9 The Bidding: South West North East 1D Pass 2C 2H 2NT Pass 3D Pass 3NT Pass Pass Pass Opening lead: HA When this hand was played at a local duplicate game, the declarer went down three for a very bad score. Can you find the winning line of play? West leads the ace of hearts and then the three of hearts. East wins the king and continues with the jack. South wins the queen while West discards the two of spades. Declarer must bring home the club suit in order to make the contract. While doing this, East is the danger hand that must be kept off lead. Declarer should lead a spade to the dummy and lead a small club. When East follows low, insert the nine. West wins but has no hearts. West gets off lead with a small diamond. The dummy plays low and East's queen is captured with the ace. The king of clubs is cashed and a diamond is led to the king. The ace of clubs clears the suit and declarer is able to score two spades, a heart, two diamonds, and five clubs for a total of ten tricks. This play is known as an "avoidance" play. Declarer, missing five clubs including the queen and jack can only score six club tricks if he finds the two honors together in the same hand, doubleton. That is an unlikely holding. If a club must be lost, try to find a play that keeps the danger hand, East, off lead. _________________________________________________________________ _