Auction1NT – 3NT, all pass
West leads the ♠K against 3NT. You can count six top tricks and three more in clubs once the ace is gone. Where is the danger, and how do you play?
The danger is East: when East wins the ♣A he will return a spade and West will cash his suit. So do not win the first spade. Let the ♠K and the ♠Q hold, winning the third round with the ♠A — now East (who started with only three spades) has none left. Knock out the ♣A: whoever wins it, the spades can no longer be reached, and you make ♠A, three hearts, two diamonds and three clubs — nine tricks. Win the first spade instead, and East’s ♠7 return lets West cash four spades for two down.
