What happened

Winning ♣2 (to East’s ♣J) with ♣K, declarer led ♦J. He was (misguidedly) trying to force out ♦AK, and to 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 1NT made.

If you remember just one thing....

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