Tip: If you have to lose a trick in a suit, lose it in the first round

What happened?

Declaring 3 NT, South won West’s ♠ 6 lead – to dummy’s ♠ 8 and East’s ♠ J – with ♠ K. He crossed to ♦ K, cashed ♦ A and led a third diamond. With both opponents following to all three rounds, dummy’s two long cards were both masters. But there was no way to reach them. West won ♦ Q and pressed on with ♠ Q. Declarer (who had by now realized the error of his ways) forlornly won ♠ A, cashed his seven top tricks, and resigned. Down two.

What should have happened?

Even on a 3–3 diamond split, declarer must lose a round of the suit. And here is the key motto: if you have to lose a trick in a suit, it is best to lose the first (for communication purposes). Declarer wins ♠ K and leads ♦ 9 but, crucially, plays dummy’s ♦ 2 (key play). East wins ♦ 10 and returns ♠ 5 but, provided diamonds are 3–3 (a pre-condition of success), declarer is in control. He wins ♠ A and leads ♦ 3 to ♦ AK. With the 3–3 split revealed, he is in dummy and so able to enjoy ♦ 64. The two long diamonds added to his seven give nine. Game made.

Question: why establish diamonds rather than clubs – both have seven cards?
Answer: even on a 3–3 split, playing clubs means losing the lead twice. The defence would be able to set up spades and a 5–2 split in the suit would lead to defeat.

Tip: If you have to lose a trick in a suit, it is best to lose in the first round.