Deal 7     3NT	♠ K 7 3 ♥ 9 6 4 ♦ K J 6 ♣ K J 9 5		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1NT pass 3NT pass pass pass The bidding has been as shown. Partner led the ♥Q, dummy played the ♥4 and it is your play. When you have made your choice click NEXT .
♠ ♥ Q ♦ ♣		♠ J 9 8 5 ♥ K 7 ♦ 9 7 4 3 ♣ 8 7 2
	♠ ♥ ♦ ♣

 

Deal 7     3NT	♠ K 7 3 ♥ 9 6 4 ♦ K J 6 ♣ K J 9 5		Play the ♥K. Admittedly you have a terrible hand. But that's no reason to be careless. YOU can beat this contract, but you have to do it right now by unblocking the ♥K. If declarer holds up you will continue with your ♥7 and partner will establish his suit while he still has the ♣A for an entry. If declarer doesn't hold up it will be just as bad for him. But suppose you say "Well, partner's ♥Q is just as good as my ♥K so I'll just save the King for later" as you play low. Declarer will love you. He will hold up on the ♥Q, then again on trick two when you play the ♥K. AND HE WILL STILL HAVE HIS ♥A when you switch to another suit. He will have time to drive out the ♣A while he still has ♥s stopped. It was a good thing you held the ♥K rather than declarer, but it is a nuisance that you must get out of the way on the very first trick.  Deal 8
♠ Q 6 4 ♥ Q J 10 5 3 ♦ 8 5 ♣ A 10 4		♠ J 9 8 5 ♥ K 7 ♦ 9 7 4 3 ♣ 8 7 2
	♠ A 10 2 ♥ A 8 2 ♦ A Q 10 2 ♣ Q 6 3