Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 03/01/2021
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This deal was played during the early Covid-19 shelter-in-lace days on BBO by Chris Willinken. As South, he ended up in 6 with a trump lead:
AK652 AK2 4 KJ102
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3 QJ1093 K8753 A4
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He won in dummy and played a diamond to his king and West's ace.
West returned at trump, won in hand, East following.
He played the the A and trumped a spade, both opponents following, then trumped a diamond with dummy's last trump (both opponents following).
Now he trumped the third round of spades, but bad news, East showed out (spades were 5-2).
He drew the last trump (East had it). West threw a diamond, keeping all his spades, so declarer threw dummy's useless little spade to leave:
K -- -- KJ102
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-- -- 875 A4
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Declarer needed the rest, so needed 4 club tricks. Without counting, you would simply take the A and then finesse, hoping West started with Qxx.
But, counting is a good idea. East was known to have started with 5 spades and 3 trumps. He followed suit twice in diamonds. That means East started with at most 3 clubs. So, can East have been dealt the needed xxxx? No.
Declarer's only chance was that the Q would fall. Yes, the adage is 8-ever, 9-never; with 8 (or fewer), you always finesse. But here, that couldn't possibly work. Declarer took his only chance and played the ace and king. He was rewarded for his thoughtful play, because this was the Real deal:
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AK652 AK2 4 KJ102
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J4 75 AQ109 98765
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Q10987 864 J62 Q3
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3 QJ1093 K8753 A4
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Making 6!