Dealer: West
neither vul
North
J 9 7
Q 8 7 5
A K
A K 10 5
East
4 2
6 4 2
Q J 10 7 6
7 3 2
West
A K 10 8 7
K J 10
4 3
J 9 4
South
Q 5 3
A 9 3
9 8 5 2
Q 8 6
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1S | dbl | pass | 1NT |
| pass | 2NT | pass | 3NT |
| pass | pass | pass |
After the lead of the 8 of spades you have 8 tricks assured - the spade Queen, four clubs and 3 top ticks in the red suits. After taking the spade you take the four club tricks. Now is the time to give some thought on how to continue.
It would be very careless to lead a heart towards the Queen on table hoping that West has the King. West opened a spade so this line is doomed for he will take the heart and 4 spade tricks.
Your only hope of making the contract is for West to have a shortage in diamonds rather than hearts. He has shown eight cards in the black suits. The correct play is to play the Ace and King of diamonds and then give up a spade trick. West will of course take his 4 spade tricks but he is now forced to return a heart away from his King. Declarer takes the extra trick with the Queen of hearts.
This type of play is referred to as "throw-in". Side suits must be stripped first to enable the "end-play".