ANSofhandofweek

Hand of the week

Hand of the week, week commencing, Sunday 2nd August 2026

Playing Mps where every trick is vital, plan your defence of their 2♠ contract

If you wish to play this hand out click here

Dealer: North Vuln: None

♠	A 8 4
♥	A 10 9 3
♦	A Q 9 7
♣	10 2

♠	K Q
♥	K J 2
♦	6
♣	K Q J 8 7 5 3

	N
W		E
W		E
	S

♠	10 5 3
♥	8 7
♦	J 8 5 4 3 2
♣	A 9

♠	J 9 7 6 2
♥	Q 6 5 4
♦	K 10
♣	6 4

W	N	E	S
	1♦	Pass	1♠
2♣	2♠	End

After winning the first trick it becomes apparent that partner must have the club Ace.

Let partner win the Ace now, so he can play round to you as you do not wish to give anything away.

Partner switches to a Heart which isn't particularly great at this stage and declarer wins your Jack with dummy's Ace. Now declarer plays a top spade followed by another spade which you win. What now?

As in all defence situations, NOW YOU TRUST PARTNER RE HIS HEART PLAY and now you play King and another Heart and get a really pleasant surprise when partner is able to ruff that third Heart. You Have now taken 5 tricks for a massive top since many other tables were making 9 or even ten tricks.

watch the film of the hand being played out by going to www.haroldschogger.com/movies2.htm