To swindle your opponents out of their cold game is delightful, but then to make your pre-emptive contract is particularly satisfying . . .
Bidding
Dealer: West
E/W Game
Playing a Strong NT meant that West’s 1C opener could mean anything but, even so, should East bid 4S anyway? He probably feared North holding four good spades, and partner holding not much. Might South’s clearly pre-emptive 4D bid provoke further action, or did East reasonably assume that 4S was not making, so any penalty from 4D would score better . . . ?
West led 9♠, won in dummy, before declarer ruffed a spade in hand. 6♦ to A♦ came next, followed by a second spade ruff. Declarer played 9♦ to Q♦ and a low heart from dummy. East leapt up with K♥ and switched to 9♣. West won with Q♣ and led her final diamond, declarer winning in hand. Now, South played a heart to A♥ in dummy and then the last heart. West won with Q♥ and was forced to lead a low club from hand. Declarer hopped up with dummy’s J♣ and, when that held the trick, the contract was home.
West should throw Q♥ on the second round: a tough but good play. In this way, East will win the third round of hearts and can lead a club through the declarer. Certainly, from the outset, declarer’s spade elimination made it clear that he sought an endplay, and in clubs it must be.