With many thanks to Liz McGowan who has kindly provided the hands and commentary.

Over the next few months hands will be posted which demonstrate Declarer Endplay.

Endplay is a valuable technique in the armoury as the lead is made, dummy goes down and options are evaluated for a maximum result.

The fourth in a series on Endplays.

South plays in 6♥ .  West leads ♦ J.   Declarer has 11 winners.

The 12th must come from spades - and elimination play will guarantee your game.

Win the lead, draw trump, cash the second diamond and three clubs, leaving North and South with just spades and hearts.

Win the last club in the South hand and lead a spade to the nine (if West plays the ten cover with the queen).  When East wins he must return a spade into the tenace or concede a ruff and discard.

Holdings such as: AJ10; AQ10; AQ9 lend themselves to this sort of play in slams.  Where you can afford to lose two tricks elimination play will guarantee success with holdings such as K10x, K9x or QJx.