The Full Deal
In three notrump, West started with a spade to the Jack and Ace, then the King of diamonds to East’s Ace, nine of spades (ten, King), and four of clubs (two, eight, King). You cashed the Queen of clubs and Ace-King of hearts. Having won five tricks, you now led a heart. West, down to Queen of hearts, three spades, and two clubs, won and had to put you in dummy. You cashed your three black-suit winners and played a diamond; East had to give South a trick at the end, so declarer ended with nine tricks. Our reaction, when this sort of thing happens, is to remind ourselves not to complain about luck for at least a month. Plus 600 was 100%, minus 100 would have been 80%, and minus 200 would have been 30%.
Bonus from Val: West’s discard of the two of hearts at trick two was very costly. If West stops to think, West should realize that East’s play of the Jack of spades at trick one marks declarer with the ten, so there’s no real hope of establishing spades. Having reached that conclusion, West should discard spades, keeping hearts and clubs. Deal PN012
To explore alternative lines of play and defense, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/mt4zrx7p