With the fantastic Bermuda Regional still fresh in the memory it’s always a bit tough for players to lift themselves for the club games in February. But there is no choice. The men’s and ladies’ pairs is coming up on Wednesday 19 and Friday 21, followed by a team game the Friday after. So, time to get ready again.

This week’s hand is about declarer play, and as to how easy it is to play a hand when most of the high cards are with one opponent. Not that this hand was easy, but the bidding helped.

Dealer South E/W Vul

(Spades / Hearts / Diamonds / Clubs)

North: AJ54 / K75 / KQJ / 1075

East: 96 / Q964 / 10753 / J86

South: K7 / J1083 / A964 / K42

West: Q10832 / A2 / 82 / AQ93

The bidding was not textbook. South passed, West opened one spade and it went pass by North (good bid), pass by East and South bid 1NT — not a good bid.

I realise the Spade King is exposed but if South is going to reopen, and has four Hearts, double would be my choice (partner may have passed with long Spades). Anyway, North couldn’t hold himself back and bid 3NT.

Declarer made up for his aggressive bidding in the play. West led a low spade and declarer did well to put in the Jack, preserving the Spade entry. Now three rounds of Diamonds, Spade to the King and the Ace of Diamonds, West throwing two Clubs, suggesting a 5-2-2-4 shape.

Declarer now played a low Heart and West could see an endplay coming so he rose with the Ace and exited with a Spade. Declarer was in charge now, he won the Spade, cashed the Heart King to take the Heart out of West’s hand and exited with a Spade. West could take two Spades but now had to lead away from the AQ of clubs. Brilliant play, contract made.

The opening bid by West placed nearly every card, without it the play would be different — and unsuccessful.