You respond 1 to partner's 1 opening as shown below (1 would also have been acceptable). Partner rebids 2. And now?
Choose One:
Pass
2
2
2NT
3NT
Other
Answer: 5 -
3NT. Partner has a minimum opening bid, so there is no slam. But, you have 14 HCP facing an opening bid, so you belong in game. The only plausible game at this point is 3NT. There is no 4-4 major suit fit (partner has denied 4 cards in a major).
West leads the 6 as shown. What do you play from dummy?
Choose One:
3
J
Answer: 1 -
3. Second hand low (yes, even for declarer most of the time). If West has led from the KQ, you will win this trick regardless. But, if East has a high spade, you don't want to waste the jack. By playing low, you guarantee two spade stoppers and two spade tricks.
2. You have 2 clubs for sure and can always get 2 spades. Add that to 3 hearts and you have 7. Working on diamonds guarantees 2 more tricks and your contract. A high diamond also guarantees the contract, but that is technically inferior since it costs an overtrick if West (LHO) started with a singleton A.
Working on clubs is no sure thing. If the finesse loses, the defense can set up spades (knocking out your other stopper). Then, you are at the mercy of the clubs running. Playing hearts first ruins your entries and sets up hearts for East-West.
This is the full deal:
Playing as recommend gives you the contract for sure. Working on clubs would have led to defeat.
Thank you for taking our quiz on Defensive Strategy (The second part of Defensive Overview).
A1054 
KQ64 
KQ52 
6.
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