Bridge Quiz 15 Answer
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1.
There are 3 entries to Dummy : the ♥A, the ♦K and a spade ruff with Dummy's ♦5.   But if the Defence, after winning the first spade trick, lead a second spade, Dummy's ruff entry is gone already.

Declarer has one sure loser in spades plus two possible losers in clubs. He must get rid of one of those club losers !

Declarer (W)
8 2
♥ K J
♦ A Q J 8 7 6
♣ A J 10
  Dummy (E)
7
♥ A 10 8 5 3
♦ K 5 4 2
♣ 7 5 4

Declarer should first draw two rounds of trumps, winning with his ♦A and ♦Q. Then there are three possible strategies.
2a
There is a simple finesse in hearts, which Declarer can take in either way. But it has only a 50% chance of success.

2b
Declarer can also develop an extra heart trick by first playing his ♥K, then Dummy's ♥A, followed by a third ruffed in Declarer's hand. If the Defenders' hearts are split 3-3 (a 35% chance) there are then two more heart winners in Dummy on which Declarer's two clubs can be discarded.
Even when Defenders' hearts are split 4-2, Declarer can still ruff yet another heart and then cash Dummy's final heart winner, provided the two diamond entries to Dummy are still in tact.

2c
But by far the simplest and best strategy option is to take the indirect double finesse in clubs. It has a 75% chance of success and only fails if North holds both the King and Queen of clubs.   Here is the complete deal.

  North
K Q J 5 4 3
♥ Q 9 7 4
♦ 10
♣ 8 2
 
Declarer (W)
8 2
♥ K J
♦ A Q J 8 7 6
♣ A J 10
  Dummy (E)
7
♥ A 10 8 5 3
♦ K 5 4 2
♣ 7 5 4
  South
A 10 9 6
♥ 6 2
♦ 9 3
♣ K Q 9 6 3
 

After drawing trumps, Declarer crosses over to Dummy, then leads a small club to his hand.
If South plays low, Declarer plays his ♣10 which (in this case) wins.
If South covers with the ♣Q Declarer wins with the ♣A, then simply leads his ♣10 to draw out the outstanding ♣K, making Declarer's ♣J a winner.
Only one or two entries to Dummy are required for this operation and it succeeds in this deal without a hitch !


"But what would have happened if North had one of the Club Honours ?" I can hear you ask.

  North
.. Q J .. ..
♥ Q 9 7 4
♦ ..
♣ Q 8 2
 
Declarer (W)
.. ..
♥ K J
♦ .. .. J 8 7 6
♣ A J 10
  Dummy (E)
..
♥ A 10 8 5 3
♦ K .. .. ..
♣ 7 5 4 <   lead
  South
A 10 9 .. ..
♥ 6 2
♦ .. ..
♣ K 9 6 3
 

After Dummy's lead of the ♣4 South (2nd player!) plays low, Declarer plays his ♣10 and North wins the trick with the ♣Q.
Declarer wins any lead North then makes, and (if not already there) crosses over to Dummy with a 2nd entry (♥A or ♦K).
Dummy then leads the ♣5 :
      If South plays again low, Declarer plays the ♣J which wins.

      If South plays his ♣K, Declarer captures it with his ♣A
     and the ♣J provides a second club trick.


Always remember that you need to take a double finesse usually twice, losing the first time!