Not a lot happening at the club at present and thoughts will be turning to the Christmas Party and Prizegiving tonight and then, more importantly, the Bermuda Regional which kicks off with the Charity Game on January 25th. More on that later.

Today’s hand is almost a ‘spot the difference’ type problem — but it isn’t.

HAND 1

? AQ652

? AK

? Q986

? Q5

? 1084 ? KJ9

? J1063 ? Q975?

? 4 ? J105

? AK932 ? 1086

? 73

? 842

? AK732

? J74

North opened a spade, South bid a forcing NT, North bid 2NT showing a 16-18 type balanced hand, and South bid the game. East led the 3 of clubs. Declarer played low from dummy and the Jack won the first trick.

It all looked too easy with one spade, two hearts, five diamonds and the club trick making an easy nine tricks. So declarer cashed the Ace of diamonds, led another to the queen, led one to the Ace and, oops, the suit is irretrievably blocked. Too late, and declarer sidled to a one trick defeat.

The blockage can be avoided with a little bit of care. Play the 8 of diamonds under the King, low to the queen, play the nine of diamonds to the Ace, and now with the 6 opposite the 73 all five diamonds can be cashed. Contract made.

These potential blockages turn up often so take a good think before playing these suits.

Now, take a look at the hand below where the diamond spots are slightly, but crucially, different.

HAND 2

? AQ652

? AK

? Q987

? Q5

? 1084 ? KJ9

? J1063 ? Q975?

? 4 ? J105

? AK932 ? 1086

? 73

? 842

? AK632

? J74

Correct, there is no way to unblock this diamond suit and unless the opposing diamonds break 2-2, which they don’t, four tricks in diamonds is the maximum.

Is there any hope for the hand? At the table one declarer found success — can you see how?

Declarer was pretty experienced and since the three of clubs showed, at most, a five-card suit (fourth best leads) declarer devised a Plan B. He played the Ace of diamonds and a diamond to the queen. When the suit didn’t break he played a club.

West could hardly believe his luck and cashed another club on which declarer threw away a diamond from dummy, unblocking the suit. The minute this happened West realised that he had been trapped into helping declarer but it was all too late. He cashed the remaining two clubs but those were the only four tricks for the defence and the contact made.

Great play from declarer.

Should West have seen this? Difficult, but probably yes, simply on the basis that one must be suspicious of ‘Greek Gifts’. If declarer wants you to do something don’t do it.

Not easy though, and it takes an experienced defender to sort this out. Any switch by West without cashing a club beats the hand. Try it.