Don’t Panic in 1NT

This deal sees declarer able to use two of the three basic methods of card promotion (Force, Length and Position) to make his 1 NT contract. He tried the third - oops.

What happened
Winning ♣ 2 (to East’s ♣ J) with ♣ K, declarer led ♦ J. He was (misguidedly) trying to force out ♦ AK, and so promote ♦ Q. But there were no Force Winners on this deal; ♦ Q and ♦ J was an insufficient sequence between the two hands - ♦ 10 and ♦ 9 were needed too.

West won ♦ J with ♦ K and continued with ♣ Q. Winning ♣ A, declarer next ran ♥ J, another misguided effort (you cannot promote a card if you lead it). West won ♥ Q, cashed ♣ 107, and switched to ♦ 9. Declarer covered with dummy’s ♦ Q (it didn’t matter), and East took ♦ A then ♦ 108. Declarer had set up no extra tricks and, losing a further trick at the end, garnered just his five top tricks, ♠ A, ♥ AK, and ♣ AK. Down two.

What should have happened
You as declarer count five top tricks (♠ A, ♥ AK, and ♣ AK). Focussing on your five-card heart suit, you have the possibility of length winners. First, though, you must try to promote ♥ J via a finesse. This means, crucially, leading from the opposite hand to the card, not actually leading it.

Win Trick One with ♣ K, so that you can lead towards ♥ J. ♥ 3 lead (key play) stymies West. If he rises with ♥ Q, you play dummy’s ♥ 2 and ♥ J is promoted. Say he plays low: you play ♥ J and your 50-50 finesse succeeds (with West holding ♥ Q). Now try for length winners, by returning to your ♥ AK.

East discards on the third heart, but nil desperandum. Give West the fourth heart with his ♥ Q, in order to promote ♥ 8 as a length winner. Win his ♣ Q return with dummy’s ♣ A, cross to hand with ♠ A, and triumphantly cash ♥ 8. Seven tricks and 1 NT made.

If you remember just one thing...
Don’t panic when left in 1 NT. Look for sequences of three or more touching high cards, and/or a fivecard suit.