NORTH
S) 9 7 4
H) 8 3
D) A Q 10 8 7 2
C) 7 5

 

SOUTH
S) A J 6 2
H) A Q
D) 6 5
C) A K 9 3 2

 

NORTH          SOUTH
                            1C
1D                       1S
2D                       3NT

 

Straight forward bidding.  South and then North showing their shape in the first two rounds.  South. having under-bid 1 spade, was compelled to try for a notrump game, as would I.

West leads the heart 4, East playing the heart king and of course you (South) win with the ace.  Now for a plan.  You have six quick tricks.  You need some diamonds but have no outside entry to the dummy.  If you find West with one diamond honor, you may be able to give up the first diamond to East and then finesse a second time and run the suit.  So you play diamonds to dummy’s 10 and it holds as East plays the four.  Next you return to your hand with a club. This is the crucial juncture.  Now what?

Perhaps You can run diamonds, but this is not a sure bet.  There is a way to hedge your bet.  Having won the first diamond trick, you have seven sure tricks.  If clubs divide 3-2, you can make the contract without having to run diamonds.  And if clubs do not behave, you can return to try diamonds again.  Winning the first diamond trick created an opportunity to try for clubs without added risk.

When this deal was played, East held the diamond K-4 and, in an effort to deceive declarer, played low on the first trick.  This deception worked as South returned to his hand and again finessed diamonds, losing to East’s king.  Having no way to recover, declarer was set one trick. You however were not intimidated at all by East’s false-carding.