Neither vulnerable. West deals.

Neither vulnerable. West deals.
NORTH
x Q 10 5 2
u A K Q 10
v A K 10 3
w 4
WEST EAST
x 3 x 9 4
u 8 u J 9 6 3 2
v Q J 4 v 9 7 2
w K Q 10 9 8 7 6 3 w A J 5
SOUTH
x A K J 8 7 6
u 7 4 2
v 8 6 5
w 2
The bidding:
WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
4w Dbl 5w 5u
Pass 6x Pass Pass
Pass
Opening lead: King of w
The longer the play of a hand continues, the more everyone learns about the holdings, both with regard to strength and distribution. This applies to declarer and the defenders. If you have to make a key play, make it as early as possible before anyone knows more than they should about the deal.
At equal vulnerability, West pre-empted as high as possible with four clubs. With support for all three unbid suits, North's takeout double was impeccable. East increased the level of the preempt but South's spade suit was too good to be shut out, even at the five-level. Under the circumstances, for North to have done less than raise to slam would have been chicken.
West led the king of clubs. Let's suppose that he shifts to the singleton heart at trick two. Declarer wins in dummy, draws trumps and then has to worry about the third diamond. South can learn a lot about the hand by cashing out the hearts, ruffing the fourth in hand. The only way South can avoid a loser in diamonds is to take the double finesse.
At trick two West knows that, if declarer has to take this line, it will succeed. Therefore, West must shift to a low diamond at trick two! If declarer takes the double finesse anyway, West must learn to hold his cards back. Far more likely is for South to win and hope that the fourth heart will set up. Down one.
& copy; 2005 Tribune Media Services
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