| North | ||
| ♠ A 7 5 | ||
| ♥ J 10 9 | ||
| ♦ K 8 6 4 2 | ||
| ♣ 9 4 | ||
| South | ||
| ♠ K 8 4 2 | ||
| ♥ A Q | ||
| ♦ A 5 3 | ||
| ♣ A K 8 6 |
2NT-3NT gets you the opening lead of the ♥4, East playing the ♥2, standard count. And now? Plan the play.
It looks very much as if hearts are 5-3 which means you must score nine tricks before they can get in twice. The good news is that you start with eight sure tricks. This should be your plan:
Play the ♦AK. If both follow, give up a diamond ensuring 10 tricks. If diamonds are 4-1, duck a spade. You still make 3NT if spades are 3-3.
If you duck a diamond early and diamonds are 4-1, down you go. They play a second heart and you don’t have time to set up a ninth trick in spades even if the suit is divided 3-3. It is crucial to see how diamonds break before conceding a diamond. There are two suits involved here, not just one.
| ♠ A 7 5 | ||
| ♥ J 10 9 | ||
| ♦ K 8 6 4 2 | ||
| ♣ 9 4 | ||
| ♠ J 9 3 | ♠ Q 10 6 | |
| ♥ K 8 7 4 3 | ♥ 6 5 2 | |
| ♦ Q 10 9 7 | ♦ J | |
| ♣ J | ♣ Q 10 7 5 3 2 | |
| ♠ K 8 4 2 | ||
| ♥ A Q | ||
| ♦ A 5 3 | ||
| ♣ A K 8 6 |