Bridge Column for May 15, 1994 
Both sides vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: 8 6 3            
                              H: J 5         
                              D: A J 9 8 5 3 
                              C: 4 2     
            WEST                             EAST
            S: K 10 9 2                      S: Q 7 5        
            H: 10 8 7 4 2                    H: Q 9 6      
            D: 7 6                           D: Q 4 2             
            C: 9 6                           C: K 10 8 7    
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: A J 4 
                              H: A K 3      
                              D: K 10     
                              C: A Q J 5 3
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                   2C      Pass     2D      Pass
                   2NT     Pass     3NT     Pass
                   Pass    Pass     
     West led the four of hearts to the jack, queen and king. 
Declarer can count six top tricks with the potential to pick up
the three tricks required for his contract from either minor
suit.  The diamond suit looks especially attractive because of
the interior spots.  In fact, if West has the queen of diamonds
doubleton or tripleton, the entire diamond suit comes home and
the club finesse can be taken for overtricks.  
     A problem arises, however, if the diamond queen is in the
East hand.  Let's assume that declarer cashes the king of
diamonds and then plays the ten, overtaking with North's jack. 
If East wins the queen, declarer will never be able to reach the
good diamonds in dummy.  He will also be unable to take the club
finesse and the hand will fall apart.
     There is a very pretty play available that will allow
declarer to combine his chances.  At trick two he should lead the
ten of diamonds and overtake with dummies jack.  If East holds
the queen, as shown, he cannot afford to win the trick.  If he
does, South will win any return and overtake the king of diamonds
with the ace in order to run the diamond suit.  So East ducks. 
Declarer takes advantage of having the lead in dummy by playing
the two of clubs and finessing the jack.
     When this card wins, declarer plays the king of diamonds and 
calls for the ace from dummy.  If the queen is doubleton in
either defenders hand, the diamond suit now runs.  If the queen
doesn't appear, the four of clubs is led for another club
finesse.  Now ace of clubs and a club sets up a long club in the
South hand to fulfill the contract.
     Look for this type of play when one hand has a long suit and
limited entries.