For students only … don’t play for a nullo

This hand occurred in play recently.  I am sure that bridge students will get this one right.  Here goes.

Dealer: Vul:	North ♠ J4 ♥ KJ64 ♦ KJ2 ♣ Q1082
	South ♠ AQ ♥ AQ3 ♦ A75 ♣ J7643

The opening lead is a spade.  East plays the ten and you win the queen.  How do you proceed?  Don’t continue without a plan.  This is a good idea when you are playing a hand at the table too.

……………………………………………….

Clubs are an attractive source of tricks.  The problem is that you have to force out the ♣A and the ♣ K.  While you do this East-West will set up their spade suit.  Since there are nine missing they have at least three spades to cash along with the top clubs.  If this was your plan you will go down as did declarer at the table.  This plan fails.  Do you have another idea?  Make sure to count your tricks.

You have two spades (after the lead), four hearts and two diamonds = eight tricks.  If the diamond finesse works you will have nine.  That is a much better chance than hoping the opponents somehow won’t take three spades with their two clubs.

Vul:	North ♠ J4 ♥ KJ64 ♦ KJ2 ♣ Q1082
West ♠ K9872 ♥ 95 ♦ Q643 ♣ A5		East ♠10653 ♥ 10872 ♦ 1098 ♣ K9
	South ♠ AQ ♥ AQ3 ♦ A75 ♣ J7643

When you play notrump you should count your tricks.  But in 3NT you need to make sure that the opponents can’t take five tricks before you take your nine.

It looks easy but this really happened at the table and it will again, even by relatively experienced players.  Taking your nine tricks in 3NT will go along way to having a good bridge game.