Once in a Lifetime – don’t blow it!

By Eddie Kantar Eddie Kantar

Courtesy of KantarBridge.com

Both vulnerable, IMPs 

N
North
Q862
76
AK42
543
 
S
South
A43
AKQJ10952
AK
W
West
N
North
E
East
S
South
2
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
5
Pass
6
All Pass
 
 
 

Opening lead: Q

During the bidding you discover that partner has the AK, but how are you going to get over there to use them?    After the opening lead, you have the same problem.    Plan the play.

Solution

 
N-S
N
North
Q862
76
AK42
KJ94
 
W
West
J5
83
J976
QJ1092
 
E
East
K1097
4
Q10853
876
 
S
South
A43
AKQJ10952
AK
 

With two possible spade losers staring you in the face, the safest way to dummy’s ace and king of diamonds is to lead a low heart to the six at Trick 2! This has the effect of forcing a dummy entry with the 7.  That’s all there is to it.