North/South did well on this hand. But could the defense have been better?
South deals, IMP scoring
North/South are playing step responses to a strong 2 club opening. North’s 2♥️ response is artificial, promising 4-6 high card points. With a flat hand and no expectation of slam, South closes out the auction with a 3 NT bid.
West leads the 2♦️ to Dummy’s J♦️, East’s Q♦️, and Declarer’s A♦️. South starts the ♥️s off with the 9♥️ from his/her hand. West wins the first ♥️ trick with the K♥️ and returns the 10♦️. South ducks this trick (trick three). West continues the ♦️s with the 9♦️. South wins trick four with the K♦️ and plays off all his/her winners. South made his/her contract with two ♠️s, four ♥️s, two ♦️s, and one ♣️.
Summary of the play:
Declarer cashes seven more winners and concedes two tricks—3NT contract making.
Here was the entire deal:
Could the defense have done better?
