Deal us in

North opened this hand with one heart, but it could have easily been opened with a weak two-heart bid. He paid the price when his partner bid one spade. South’s three-diamond bid was forcing, as was his three-spade bid. North kept the bidding open until South bid four spades.

West had listened to the bidding and led the unbid suit — clubs. How can South take advantage of this helpful lead?

The declarer saw that some luck would be needed to make his contract. One choice was to play low from dummy. If West has led low from the Jack of clubs, South can gain two club tricks. His other club can be discarded on the ace of hearts. If diamonds divide 3-3, four spades may make.

A better line is to play the queen of clubs. This may cause you to lose two clubs, but if this wins, which it does, you are home free. This allows you to work on hearts. Cash the ace and queen. East covers, so you ruff and go to queen of spades. You still need the Jack of hearts to win, and when it does, you win six spades, two hearts and two clubs. If East does not cover the queen of hearts, you discard a diamond and let West have the king. The defenders can take two diamond tricks, but you have 10 tricks.

Donna Swan is a resident of Longboat Key, an ardent bridge player and an American Contract Bridge League certified director who plays “for the fun of it.”