NS starts by counting tricks: 0+2+6(hopefully) + 1=9.
Giving up 1 to the SA brings us to 11 and rectifies the count for a squeeze.
Trick 1: It is very unlikely that West led the H 10 from QT9.
Presume that the HQ is on the right.
Keep the HJ for a possible threat card: Win the HK.
Trick 2:
Lead the SJ.
Double-dummy, it will be an error for the opponents to win this:
If they duck, the only way you can force a second spade trick is to get to dummy with one of the rounded Aces, giving up the guard for the HQ or CK…
Still it will take nerves of steel to duck, so let’s assume they err and win.
So, now the count has been rectified: You have lost 1, won 1, have another 2+1+6+1=10 coming, to bring the total to 11, and a 12th can be hopefully squeezed out.
You will get lucky if East wins the SA (and thus cannot lead hearts right away killing the entry) and also has the CK.
Trick 3:
East cannot lead a heart, because he is finessing himself immediately in North’s H A-J.
East cannot lead a club, because you can put in the Queen for the 12th.
So, he can lead a spade or a diamond.
If a diamond: Win the DA, then CA, cash SK, SQ, pitching clubs, and…
If a spade: Win the SK, SQ, pitching clubs, CA (Vienna coup), and…
…run the diamonds, leaving:
North with: HA HJ
South with: CQ, H8, and the lead.
While running the diamonds, the only card you need to look for is the CK.
Trick 12:
Has the CK dropped?
If yes: CQ is good, and HA is the 12th trick.
If no: One of the opponents (most likely East) has the CK and the now unguarded HQ, and is sweating bullets. BE KIND: Play a heart to the Ace quickly, to spare them the heart attack (pardon the pun!)
Thank you, Patrick, for the morning thought, and Happy New Year!
NS starts by counting tricks: 0+2+6(hopefully) + 1=9.
Giving up 1 to the SA brings us to 11 and rectifies the count for a squeeze.
Trick 1: It is very unlikely that West led the H 10 from QT9.
Presume that the HQ is on the right.
Keep the HJ for a possible threat card: Win the HK.
Trick 2:
Lead the SJ.
Double-dummy, it will be an error for the opponents to win this:
If they duck, the only way you can force a second spade trick is to get to dummy with one of the rounded Aces, giving up the guard for the HQ or CK…
Still it will take nerves of steel to duck, so let’s assume they err and win.
So, now the count has been rectified: You have lost 1, won 1, have another 2+1+6+1=10 coming, to bring the total to 11, and a 12th can be hopefully squeezed out.
You will get lucky if East wins the SA (and thus cannot lead hearts right away killing the entry) and also has the CK.
Trick 3:
East cannot lead a heart, because he is finessing himself immediately in North’s H A-J.
East cannot lead a club, because you can put in the Queen for the 12th.
So, he can lead a spade or a diamond.
If a diamond: Win the DA, then CA, cash SK, SQ, pitching clubs, and…
If a spade: Win the SK, SQ, pitching clubs, CA (Vienna coup), and…
…run the diamonds, leaving:
North with: HA HJ
South with: CQ, H8, and the lead.
While running the diamonds, the only card you need to look for is the CK.
Trick 12:
Has the CK dropped?
If yes: CQ is good, and HA is the 12th trick.
If no: One of the opponents (most likely East) has the CK and the now unguarded HQ, and is sweating bullets. BE KIND: Play a heart to the Ace quickly, to spare them the heart attack (pardon the pun!)
Thank you, Patrick, for the morning thought, and Happy New Year!