This was MP, but assume IMPS.
You are South and end up in 3H. LHO leads CQ.
What is your plan? Do you cover or duck the CQ? Do you think you can make this?
At the table I ducked the CQ and the CJ continuation which held too.
LHO now shifted to a heart and it was all over. I could draw trumps and play on diamonds with a spade entry to dummy.
After the CJ held, LHO who held AJTxxx, x, Axxx, QJ could shift to the SJ (or T) to knock out the SK, then use a low spade to get to partner's hand to cash the setting club trick! RHO could have overtaken the CJ to give partner a ruff but that is losing defense when partner has QJx.
A simpler defense by West is to just play SA and another but that might not work against a hand like xx, Qxxxxx, Jx, xxx (though South might have bid 4H with that).
With the right defense this cannot be made whether you cover or duck the first trick.
You are South and end up in 3H. LHO leads CQ.
| IMPS None | North ♠ Kx ♥ AKx ♦ KQT98 ♣ Kxx | |
| South ♠ xxx ♥ QJTxx ♦ Jx ♣ xxx |
| W | N | E | S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1S | X | P | 2H |
| P | 3H | P | P |
| P |
What is your plan? Do you cover or duck the CQ? Do you think you can make this?
At the table I ducked the CQ and the CJ continuation which held too.
LHO now shifted to a heart and it was all over. I could draw trumps and play on diamonds with a spade entry to dummy.
After the CJ held, LHO who held AJTxxx, x, Axxx, QJ could shift to the SJ (or T) to knock out the SK, then use a low spade to get to partner's hand to cash the setting club trick! RHO could have overtaken the CJ to give partner a ruff but that is losing defense when partner has QJx.
A simpler defense by West is to just play SA and another but that might not work against a hand like xx, Qxxxxx, Jx, xxx (though South might have bid 4H with that).
With the right defense this cannot be made whether you cover or duck the first trick.
