Holding up : Hand of the week Board 8 Thursday October 24^th 2024

North opens a standard 2NT – a balanced hand and 20-22 points. South knows they have enough for game with a combined 26 points and 4 Souths bid 3NT. The other four Souths decided a suit contract would be safer and used transfers, ending in 4S by North.

4S loses only the two missing aces. 3NT is harder! Everyone led a club, won by North. North plans his play. There are 5 spades tricks after the ace is drawn. Plus 2 clubs and 2 hearts and a diamond after the ace is drawn - 10 tricks. However, if the defence play correctly, North should not make his contact.  North wins the club lead and immediately tries to set up the spades by leading the Jack. If West plays his ace, the contract is safe. West must hold up until the third round of spades, after which North has no access to dummy and the other three spade tricks.

West knows that North has at least 2 spades and he can see 9 in his own hand and dummy. Partner played on the JS, therefore North cannot have more than 3 spades.  West wins the third spade and plays a club back to partner. Now North has lost control. He cannot get to dummy to finesse the hearts and E/W will make 5 tricks.

Use the Play it again button to see for yourself!