North
A Q J
Q J 10
2
J 10 9 8 7 6
East
10 9 8 7
5 4 3 2
K 4
5 4 2
West
6 5 4 3 2
9 8 7 6
Q J 8
3
South
K
A K
A 10 9 7 6 5 3
A K Q
In 7 NT you get a spade lead from West. Can you see the way to get thirteen tricks cold?
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scroll down for the answer
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The trick is to get the long clubs in dummy to fulfil their potential. To do this one must take the first trick in dummy with the ace and then discard the heart A and K on the Q and J of spades. Then run what are now the three top hearts in dummy, discarding the A K Q of clubs! Dummy can now enjoy the six club winners, leaving a once proud Southern hand to realise but one trick, the A of diamonds. It seems such a waste of points, but in the end it is length that matters.