Deal 13
 
  3NT



 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1pass2NT
pass3NTpasspass
pass

The bidding has been as shown.
The contract is 3NT and it is your lead.

When you have made your choice click NEXT .
♠ J 6
9 8 5 2
9 7 5
♣ A Q 9 8



 


 

 
Deal 13
 
  3NT
♠ K Q 9
K 7 6
K Q 10 3
♣ 7 4 2
  Lead the 9, the top of nothing.

Your ♣s are so good that all your instincts tell you to lead the ♣8, and perhaps set up 3 winners.

If you had one more small ♣s your instincts would be right, but with only a 4-card suit you should think a little longer.
Three tricks won't set this contract, so you must depend on partner winning something. And if partner is going to win something perhaps he will lead a ♣ and you might make FOUR tricks in the suit.

So lead the 9. You lead a high card so partner won't be tempted to return the suit when he gets the lead. Note that although this lead finesses partner's Q, it didn't do anything that declarer wouldn't have done on his own.

Declarer must play s to get some winners, and when East takes the A he will surely switch to the ♣J. Down goes declarer.

 Deal 14 
♠ J 6
9 8 5 2
9 7 5
♣ A Q 9 8
♠ 8 7 5 4 3
Q 10 3
A 4
♣ J 10 3
  ♠ A 10 2
A J 7
J 8 6 2
♣ K 6 5