Deal 20
 
  4
OL: ♣A
♠ 6 4
A J 8
A Q J 6
♣ 8 7 5 4
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1♣passpass1
pass2♣pass4
passpasspass

You are West. The bidding has been as shown.
You led the ♣A, East played the ♣2 and South the ♣9.
What should you play to the second trick?

When you have made your choice click NEXT .
♠ A Q 10
9 2
8 5 2
♣ A K 10 6 3



♣ 2
 


♣ 9
 

 
Deal 20
 
  4
OL: ♣A
♠ 6 4
A J 8
A Q J 6
♣ 8 7 5 4
  Play the ♣6.

On first thought East's ♣2 seems to be a discouraging signal.
Think again.

After the first trick you know the location of every ♣ except the ♣Q and ♣J.
If East started with ♣ J 2 he would have signaled with the ♣J.
If East started with ♣ Q J 2 he would have signaled with the ♣Q.
Since he did neither he started either with singleton ♣ 2 or with ♣ Q 2.
In either case you should play a low ♣ now which he will either win with his ♣Q or he will ruff.

It turns out that he wins with the ♣Q, then leads a ♠ back to your ♠ A Q.

 To Lesson 
♠ A Q 10
9 2
8 5 2
♣ A K 10 6 3
♠ 9 8 7 5 2
10 5
9 7 4 3
♣ Q 2
  ♠ K J 3
K Q 7 6 4 3
K 10
♣ J 9