863
AJ82
962
KJ9

10952
5
AKJ107
853

Lefty opened 1, Righty bid 1, and you overcalled 2. Lefty supported partner with 2, your partner supported you with 3, and Righty doubled to end the auction. The opening lead was a trump.

Kudlek now led a spade, and the defenders cashed three spade tricks, Righty showing the KQJ and Lefty Axx. Finally, a heart was led to the ace.

At the point, the club honors can be placed. Lefty has one of the heart honors, the spade ace, and hence the AQ of clubs for his opening bid. You continue with diamonds, Righty having four. Lefty started with 3 spades, 5 hearts, 1 diamond, and hence 3 clubs. After drawing four rounds of trumps, this is the situation:

--
J8
--
KJ9

10
--
10
853

You can take the club finesse once, but how do you get back to your hand? Yes, you can ruff a heart, but then maybe Lefty can win the ace of clubs and cash a heart.

Discussion/Answer