2. Play the waiting game

East Deals      

Love All

8 7 6 4

Q J 6 3

A K 6 2

J 9

K 7 5 2

A J 8 6

Q 9 5

A Q 10 3

A 10 8 4

7

J 10 8 7 

 

K 5 2

9

K Q 10 9 5 4 2

4 3


West       

North       

East        

South                                                 

Opening Lead: J♠

   

Pass

3

Pass

Dbl

Pass

Pass

Pass

You lead J♠ against 3 doubled. Your partner reads this for a doubleton (thinking declarer is unlikely to have four spades), and plays Q♠. Declarer wins K♠ and plays K. You win A and continue with 9♠ to partner's A 10♠. Partner then plays a fourth round of spades which declarer trumps with 9. If you overtrump with J, you will get 3 one down - not as good as making 3 yourselves. Instead of trumping with J which will always win, discard. This way, you will not only make your J later, but also your promoted 8 for two down and a great score.