Forcing an Entry

Today’s deal is from a match-point event that had fifteen tables. The popular contract of 5D was reached on all the tables and except for one, all declarers failed to fulfill the m

inor suit game.

It required special play and most players did not possess the technique. See whether you can match the play the successful declarer adopted.

West leads the S2. East plays the jack and you win with the ace. Plan the play.

Over to you! Do take a while before you read on.

The title of the article should provide a hint.

Analysis

You will require the diamond king to be with East for you to make the contract. You will also require an entry to dummy to take the diamond finesse. Bidding suggests that East has 5-4 in the black suits. If he has D K-x, he will have only a doubleton in hearts.

If East has K-x in hearts, it appears you are doomed as he will over ruff the dummy to defeat the contract.

The problem seems to defy solution. How did the declarer play to make the contract?

Solution

Declarer won the opening lead and played the queen of hearts from hand at trick two! The defence was powerless.

The complete hands were:

If East wins, he provides an entry to dummy in the form of HJ which declarer will use for taking the diamond finesse. If East ducks, declarer will cash DA, cash HA, and ruff both his heart losers in dummy. Isn't it extremely elegant?

Discussion

Even when shown all the four hands, most players could not find the solution as they had not come across this technique before. It goes to show, that to be a successful declarer, players need to read books and improve their skills on plaiy technique.

Do put down your comments on the hand in the comments section below

Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.