Bridge

When this hand was played South took the Diamond lead with the Ace, laved down the Ace of Clubs and lead the six of Club! When West showed out the contract was doomed in spite of the (act that the Heart finesse worked. All declarer could make was one Spade, three Hearts, two Diamonds and two Clubs, eight tricks in all.

Declarer can make sure of three Club tricks by playing off the King of Clubs and then leading small towards the Ace-nine and covering whatever card East plays. If West follows, the suit has split 3-2. If West shows out Declarer can make three tricks by forcing out East's high card and if East should happen to show out Declarer goes up with the Ace and leads back towards the Jack-five through West's Queen-ten.

It may seem that Declarer cannot afford to make this safety play in Clubs if tho Heart finesse doesn't work. Fair enough South should take the Diamond lead in dummy, play off the Ace of Hearts and, if the Queen doesn't drop, lead towards the King-Jack. If the Jack folds Declarer can then afford to make the safety play in Clubs and stands to gain if the Clubs split 4 1. If the Jack is taken by the Queen then South must take the Club finesse and loses nothing.

The full hand-

The bidding. EW vul at match point pairs goes

Our expert panel:

Charlie Chan: 4 diamonds, ft the contract is spades I am not likely to get a heart ruff, not being on lead, and I shall probably be played for the spade queen. They can probably make 3S and possibly 4, and I am hoping to be doubled in 4D, which will be a good score whether they can make 3 or 4.

Chas. Flude: 4 diamonds. There is a good chance that they have game here, and if 4 diamonds is doubled, all well and good. If they bid 4S. partner has a fielders choice between bidding on or taking them down.

John Jowett: 4 diamonds. If this is doubled it will be a good score. If they bid 4 spades I shall double. I should expect partner to sacrifice over this if he is short of aces. Otherwise he will lead the ace of hearts. Either way we score well.

Ross Quayle: Double. This tells partner that I have a certain amount of defensive strength, and leaves him well placed to take out into 4 diamonds if necessary.