K952
                                        763
                                        AK
                                        10952

        Q64                                                             8
        1098                                                            AKQJ
        J87653                                                        10942
        K                                                                 8643
                                        AJ1073
                                        542
                                        Q
                                        AQJ7

Contract 4 Spades, opening lead the 10 of hearts:

The play to the first three tricks have marked East with AKQJ of Hearts and 10 HCPs.  He would have opened with 12+ HCPs so he caniot have the club King.  Therefore play to drop the singleton K in the West hand and play him too for the Spade queen!!  Prayer answered, as in the above layout.

To Remember:

(1) when a passed hand has turned up with 10HCP early in the play, asume he does not have the reamaining Aces, Kings or Queens.

(2) When defending and Partner leads a suit in which you have the top three or four honours, conceal the King!  Declarer might get it wrong and you have little chance of confusing your partner, especially if  Declarer ruffs the 2nd or 3rd round!
 
 
 
 
 

Clive Keep February  2004