Declarer mumbles "Thank-you, partner" and pauses to make a plan. Whilst declarer is ruminating let’s see. South presumably has about 11 points for his 2NT bid, leaving East with about 7 points. So we can forget about the chance of East winning a trick with the diamondA and cashing lots of Hearts because East is highly unlikely to have the two red Aces. Anyway, declarer wins with dummy’s clubK (East following with the 4) and leads a Diamond to the diamondK in hand. Declarer eyes your 10 with interest and follows with the diamond9. Now, early in the play you have to make a crucial discard. What is it? And, more to the point, why?

  Down Symbol