[PFormaini]

Scoring: IMP

P - 1♠
2♥ - 3♦
3NT - 4♦
4♠ - 6NT

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WEST leads the J♥. Dummy wins as East follows with an encouraging ♥. South cashes the A♠, bringing a small ♦ from East and a small ♠ from West.

South now leads the K♦. West wins and returns the 9♦ as East follows throughout.

1. What must South hope for to take 12 tricks?

2. How do you play the hand?

[jvage]

This looks like it's taken from a book. Answer hidden:

Spoiler

Assuming competent defence (East will jump in with the ♣K if at some point you lead a small club from dummy) you have to hope that West got the ♣K. Cash all the diamonds and play ♣Q to the ace. West is squeezed on the ♥A.

John

[PFormaini]

It is from an article - which I will post with the solution after more folks give it a whirl..

Your answer is correct.

[rhm]

Hoping that East has the ♣King is not good enough if he would know to cover the ♣ two with king of ♣ but not the ♣ Queen, which destroys an entry to your hand.

Instead hope that West has the King of ♣

Cash all the ♦ discarding ♥
Play the ♣queen, just to induce a cover should East ahve the ♣ king, but overtake anyway with the ♣ ace.

Now play the ♥ ace and West is squeezed should he hold the ♣ King.

If he discards the ♣ King you can a spade having another entry to repeat the ♠ finesse.

If he discards a ♠ discard the jack of ♣ and run the ♠ 9.

Rainer Herrmann

[hanp]

I think I have to hope that West has the ♣K. Cash all the diamonds and play ♣Q to the ace. West is squeezed on the ♥A.