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A waste? *

S/EWK J 10 3
 
 A 10 3
9 3
Q 10 9 7
8 2windroos  
Q J 5  
K 10 8 7 2  
A 3 2  

WestNorthEastSouth
1NT
pass
2pass2
pass3NTpasspass
pass   

IMP-scoring (team match), so West will do his utmost to defeat the contract. Overtricks (or extra undertricks) are relatively unimportant.

West leads the 2. East wins with the A and continues with the J, South following suit with the 4 and the 5.
Since dummy's 9 now disappears, West's 1087 become equals. South still has the Q of course.
If West now plays a small diamond, he will succeed if East has another diamond (very well possible, since from originally AJx he will return the middle card, the J). EW will thus score five diamond tricks and the A: down two.
But what if East started with the bare AJ?
How should West defend?

Solution
 
Communication *
N/EWA K 5 
 7 3 2
A 5 4
K 9 8 3
  windroos7 6 3
  A K 10 6 5
  J 3 2
  Q 5

WestNorthEastSouth
113NT
passpasspass 

West leads the 9. How should East defend?
This concerns IMP play (team match). So East will do his utmost to defeat the contract. Overtricks and extra down tricks are relatively unimportant.

Solution
 
Out for the count! *
N/-J 7 5 
 K J 6 2
A J
Q J 9 4
10 2windroos  
A 9 8 4  
10 7 6 3  
K 6 3  
    

WestNorthEastSouth
-1pass1
pass1NTpass3
pass4passpass
pass   

Butler, meaning IMP scoring.
West enquires after the meaning of the bidding and is informed south has shown a game forcing hand with 5-5 in spades and diamonds.
West has a difficult lead and eventually tries the unbid suit, since this is more often right than wrong. So A hits the table, on which east plays 7 and south 3.
How should west continue?

Solution
 


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