What & Why (19)

Let me quote from earlier: “There is of course no ‘correct’ answer every time a bidding or play problem arises, otherwise the game wouldn’t be much fun, but maybe we can all learn something each time we are faced with a problem, if not at the table then in retrospect.”
These are the full hands as they were when this deal came up some time ago in teams play.

Dealer E NS Vul

	AJ87 732 QJ KJ65
6542 98 A8 87432		Q3 KJT654 T743 A
	KT9 AQ K9652 QT9

There were varied suggestions as to the best approach in 3NT, mostly ‘diamonds has best prospects, so play them first’, or ‘finesse spades and play West for the queen’, without any detailed specifics as to the play, but I will quote two panelists who would have made 3NT with overtricks as the cards lay.

Norma: “Clubs first as they assure three tricks. Diamonds may produce only two tricks if they break 4-2 whereas three club tricks are certain, so I play on clubs first, hoping East has the ace. If so, I can make certain of my contract.”

Johnny: “CASH two top spades. If queen drops we can make sure of three CLUB tricks by playing on them. If SQ does not drop, play clubs and hope that removes the entry from East, and if it does we can still make sure of nine tricks.” Unless East is left with SQ and West has another and guesses to use that for East’s entry, a highly unlikely scenario - ed.

Which of the two do you think is a better line?