LEARNING CENTER

Double. A very normal takeout double.

Pass. You've already told your story.

A. Might as well. For all you know, declarer has A10xx or AQJ9 and will get rid of dummy's diamond. Alternatively, declarer could be 4=6=2=1 with a singleton A and get rid of a diamond on the K.

There is a remote chance that this sets up declarer's Qxx, but in that case, there isn't much you can do about it (and it isn't likely to matter anyway).

. Go passive. There is no urgency to collect tricks. A play in any suit but a heart is dangerous. Look at the remaining cards:

A diamond would give a ruff-and-sluff (declarer would then lose only one spade trick).

A spade play costs a trick in that suit.

A club play gives up a club trick on which declarer can throw a spade.

Your passive heart exit makes declarer do his own dirty work. Eventually, he has to lose 2 spades for down 1.

Please click here to play Practice Deal #3.