Optional Play, Ruffing Finesse or Squeeze

Kepri Governor Cup X

	♠ A Q J 3 ♥ Q 4 3 ♦ 4 3 ♣ A J 4 3
♠ — ♥ — ♦ — ♣ —	N W E S	♠ — ♥ — ♦ — ♣ —
	♠ — ♥ A K J 9 7 ♦ K Q J 5 ♣ Q 8 6 2

West	North	East	South
	1 ♣	Pass	1 N
Pass	2 ♥	Pass	2 ♠
Pass	3 ♦	Pass	3 ♥
Pass	4 ♥	Pass	4 N
Pass	5 ♥	Pass	6 ♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

Using precision system, you arrive in reasonable contract of 6 ♥. Opening lead is ♥ 5, how do you plan the play?

There are several assumption that you need to make. Firstly, the ♣ K shall be with west. IT may be doubleton or three times or more. In case doubleton, your task will be easier. Then you may place the ♠ K with west or east. If ♠ K is in east hand, you can ruffing finesse it. Or you my squeeze west if he hold the ♠ K. Which one is your choice?

After wining the opening lead in hand, declarer directly play the ♦ K and continue with the ♦ Q when it win. West continue with trump, and winning in hand ruff a diamond with ♥ Q, every one follow.

What should you do next?
Ruffing finesse will win 50% of the time when east hold the ♠ K. Squeezing west may have been an advantage as you may also win if the ♠ K is only 3 card. Then ♠ A, ruff small spade and club to the Jack. Now the ♠ J, the way you handle it will eventually determine the successful of the contract.

---

	♠ Q ♥ — ♦ — ♣ A x
♠ K ♥ — ♦ — ♣ K x	N W E S	♠ — ♥ — ♦ — ♣ —
	♠ — ♥ — ♦ J ♣ Q x

After some thoughts, declarer ruff the spade Jack with his last trump and show the ♦ J to west. Finally west give up.

West hold: ♠ Kxxx ♥ xxx ♦ Axx ♣ K10x

Declarer who choose to ruffing finesse spade will fail.