2. Play the waiting game

East Deals      

Love All

♠

8 7 6 4

♥

Q J 6 3

♦

3 

♣

A K 6 2

♠

J 9

♥

K 7 5 2

♦

A J 8 6

♣

Q 9 5

♠

A Q 10 3

♥

A 10 8 4

♦

7

♣

J 10 8 7 

 

♠

K 5 2

♥

9

♦

K Q 10 9 5 4 2

♣

4 3


West       

North       

East        

South                                                 

Opening Lead: J♠

   

Pass

3♦

Pass

Dbl

Pass

Pass

Pass

You lead J♠ against 3♦ doubled. Your partner reads this for a doubleton (thinking declarer is unlikely to have four spades), and plays Q♠. Declarer wins K♠ and plays K♦. You win A♦ and continue with 9♠ to partner's A 10♠. Partner then plays a fourth round of spades which declarer trumps with 9♦. If you overtrump with J♦, you will get 3♦ one down - not as good as making 3♥ yourselves. Instead of trumping with J♦ which will always win, discard. This way, you will not only make your J♦ later, but also your promoted 8♦ for two down and a great score.