7 No Trump Play Problem
The following hand was published by Krysztof Martens of the Netherlands,
in January, 1992, and posted on Usenet by Chip Martel on November 22, 1992.
Contract: 7 No Trump
Opening Lead: 10 of Clubs
Spades: K872 opposite AQT9
Hearts: A4 KJ82
Diamonds: Q64 AKT9
Clubs: AKQJ 6
You have 12 definite tricks. What's a line of play to guarantee
13 tricks on any lie of the cards and any defense?
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--- Warning !!! The solution follows, so if you ---
--- don't want to see it now, stop. ---
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Play the 4 top clubs throwing hearts!
King of hearts.
Ace, King, then Queen of diamonds.
The position is now:
Spades: K872 opposite AQT9
Hearts: A -
Diamonds: - T
Clubs: - -
If the diamond 10 is high, you can claim. If it's not, your only fear
is a 4-1 spade break.
Play the ace of hearts. Unless the diamond 10 becomes high, discard it.
If somebody shows out on the ace of hearts, you have a complete count.
If not, play the hand that didn't have the jack of diamonds for four
spades.