Bidding : (W) 1♦ - 1♥ - 1NT - 3NT
Trick 13		North
Declarer (W) ♠  J 6 2 ♥  K 7 ♦  A Q 9 7 4 ♣  K J 4	> ?			Dummy (E) ♠  A 5 4 ♥  A J 10 9 3 ♦  K 8 2 ♣  9 6
		South

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Trick 13a		North A♣
Declarer (W) ♠  J 6 2 ♥  K 7 ♦  A Q 9 7 4 ♣  K J 4	> 7♦ w		9♣	Dummy (E) ♠  A 5 4 ♥  A J 10 9 3 ♦  K 8 2 ♣  9 6
		9♠ South		Won : 12 Lost : 1

	North ♠  K Q 10 3 ♥  6 4 2 ♦  5 3 ♣  A 10 8 3
Declarer (W) ♠  J 6 2 ♥  K 7 ♦  A Q 9 7 4 ♣  K J 4		Dummy (E) ♠  A 5 4 ♥  A J 10 9 3 ♦  K 8 2 ♣  9 6
	♠  9 8 7 ♥  Q 8 5 ♦  J 10 6 ♣  Q 7 5 2 South
If North leads his Q♠ at trick 2 Dummy will catch it with the Ace. If North leads the 3♠ instead, Dummy plays low and Declarer's J♠ wins the trick. This is the so-called Bath Coup. A switch to ♣ becomes more dangerous, for after winning South's Q♣ with the K♣, Declarer's J♣ will be captured (and 3 ♣ tricks to the Defence) if South gains the lead. South is therefore now the Danger man, and Declarer must finesse South (and not North) for the ♥ finesse (7♥ ← J♥). Declarer must therefore cross over to Dummy via the K♦, but should lead the A♦ first from his own hand. When both Opponents follow suit to the second ♦ trick, Declarer knows that Opponents' ♦s are split 3-2. This ensures the 3NT contract. Opponents' ♥s are also split 3-3, which is a lucky break for Declarer who can in this case win 12 tricks. Previous - Next Deal