Something Different

Board 9 Dealer N EW Vul from Wednesday 25/10/17

	T432 AJ92 T3 743
J6 T5 K9765 KT52		95 Q86 QJ842 AQ6
	AKQ87 K743 A J98

When this deal was played, all the Souths at Hutt received a low diamond lead against a spade contract. Some were in 4S, others only in 3S. I won't go into the pros and cons of how to bid the NS hands today, instead I have a problem that I want to set the reader. How best to play 4S when West leads the six of diamonds.

The answer will have to be better than the obvious “Deep Finesse” one which is, as Deep Finesse often is, to play AGAINST the odds by leading the jack of hearts through East's Q86 and consequently dropping a doubleton TEN with West. You will all agree that the simple way of playing the king first then finessing the jack is much better odds. But there may be a way to improve on the play. Take a look at the full deal and see how YOU would play the hand as South.

There is NO perfect way to make 4S unless you are Deep Finesse and can see all the hands, but there is some skill in deciding just how to play the hand to give yourself the best chance against normal defenders. Have a go!

Send me your answers at villyn@xtra.co.nz and the best one will win a copy of my new book “Tips and Quips”.

Many of Vil's early books can now be read here on the X-Clubs website, for free. There should be many tips for the reader on a number of different topics.