Too Many Finesses

29th November – Board 14: Love All. Dealer East.

West has a choice of bids at his second turn and while I would only bid 2♥ if partner had responded 2♣, the healthy diamond fit makes a game forcing rebid of 3♥ just about viable. As a matter of interest I would also rebid 3♥ if partner had responded 1♠ because the spade fit is a positive asset although of course 3♥ is now not forcing.

The play is interesting on the ♣Q lead and continuation. Declarer only has two entries to dummy and really would like to take three finesses – two in hearts and one in diamonds – but that is impossible. However the diamond finesse is the one that really needs to work for if it doesn’t declarer has to play the heart suit without loss and that will only happen if South holds precisely king and jack doubleton. So ruff the second club and play a spade to dummy to take the diamond finesse. When that works lay down the ace of trumps, cross to dummy with a spade and lead the remaining heart and either hope that an honour appears – as it does – or you make an inspired guess as to whether to play North for doubleton king or doubleton jack.