A75 J10 A7 A76543   KQ10943 A42 KJ3 K

With no bidding by the opposition, you reach a good small slam in spades. The lead is the K. This is IMP's... no need to make 7. What are your thoughts at this early stage? Your plan? (Solution follows further down)

A85 A7 AK6 A10876   43 KQ10853 Q1095 2

Our declarer played this hand in 4, and made 5-up. The lead was the K. At the end of the hand he said "think I can make 6". Yes, 6 can be made. How?

Dlr: N Vul: E-W	A75 J10 A7 A76543
- - - KQ87 Q10542 J1092		J862 9653 986 Q8
	KQ10943 A42 KJ3 K
==========================

This contract should be reasonably simple. Either:
• Discard a diamond on the club ace, and give up a heart, ruffing the third heart; OR
• Discard a heart on the club ace, ruff the third diamond, and give up a heart at the end.

Either line works.

However, to cater for trumps 4-0, the trick is to play a spade to the Ace first! You will require a small trump in dummy to ruff a red loser, and the other small trump to finesse against the knave.

Play the king first, and you have insurmountable problems.

Sequence of play then:

Win A; A; A; K; K; ruffed; A - pitch a ; trump hook; draw and claim 6.

Solution to Hand 2

Dlr: N Vul: N-S	A85 A7 AK6 A10876
K10 J92 J872 KJ95		QJ9762 64 43 Q43
	43 KQ10853 Q1095 2

Establish the 5th club for your 12th trick! It is imperative to start on the clubs immediately. You will use the heart ace, and diamond tops to establish and collect the 5th club.

Sequence of plays:

Win the A trick 1; A; ruff; K; A; ruff; Q; A; ruff; K; cash 13th ; Q; If diamonds 3-3 or Jx, 7-up!

 

Plan before you play a card.   Get the timing right!

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