K42
                                          J107
                                          Q652
                                          965
        J1096                                                        A3
        K962                                                         8543
        43                                                              -
        Q42                                                           AKJ10873

                                         Q875
                                         AQ
                                         AKJ10987
                                         -

Most declarers will ruff the club, draw trumps ending in dummy and try the heart finesse.  West wins however and returns a club.  With no entry to dummy remaining (curse those high trumps in hand!), declarer has to lose two spade tricks to finish one down.

There are two chances to get home; either the heart finesse works or you find an opponent - presumably East in this case, as he has shown very long clubs - with the ace - doubleton of spades.

It is correct to try the spades first.  After drawing trumps ending with the Queen of Diamonds, lead a spade to the Queen.  When it holds, duck a spade.  Here, the Ace of spades drops and the contract is home.  But suppose East wins with a low spade?  In a moment you get into the dummy by ruffing the eight of spades (even if it is high!) to take the heart finesse.

Two chances are usually better than one...................
 
 
 
 

Clive Keep September  2003