East opens; overcall your diamonds but partner does n ot reply; then after the 3H double for penalties; the opposition bid all the way to 3NT. You can take this game light with luck and correct defender play
Acol Bidding
East opens; overcall bidding your diamond suit; then after the 3H double for penalties; the opposition bid all the way to 3NT. You can take this game light with a little luck and good defensive play
Plan Before You Play
If your side are to take this contract light you will need to win at least 5 tricks. Review the bidding; east bid hearts twice so has at least 5 hearts so with QH,JH,9H and 8H if partner has 10H 2 rounds of hearts could remove declarers heart stoppers potentially the QH + JH could be winners. West bid spades so if partner has AS and QS you can win at least 2 spade tricks, you have AC so thats a club winner! and if any of your diamonds win a trick declarer is 2 light!
The Play
The other side have bid all the suits except diamonds, the trouble with leading diamonds is that if declarer has AD and QD underleading the KD, JD and 10D will give them 2 tricks. Partner leads a spade, which declarer wins (note to self: return partners lead at the first opportunity). Declarer wins with JS and leads a high heart. Win the club switch and lead a small spade to partner who proceeds to win 5 tricks in a row. Retain at least 2 of your diamonds rather than hearts because with declarer's NT bid they have some in their hand to play
Comment
You should be able to take this contract light by 2 tricks if you lead your low heart twice, hold up playing the AC, and find the switch to the spades to partner through strength on the table. Of course if declarer plays the rest of his clubs in dummy instead of continuing to play diamonds up to his QD - he can make 2 less losers. But hindsight has 20-20 vision
The above commentary is intended as a guideline only. As with any Bridge hand there are many ways to bid and play any hand.
