This is aHand:

Hands 2 and 3 have neatly set the scene for this deal.

So, what do you need to make your contract? What splits will allow you to succeed?

Bidding.

After three Passes we open 1NT on our 4·4·3·2 hand containing 16 points. Partner now gives that a gentle raise to 2NT.

Well, we have the buck passed to us now. Do we advance to game or do we Pass the hand out in 2NT?

With 15 points we'd Pass, with 17 points we'd advance to 3NT. With 16 points we seek inspiration and try to make a case for an upgrade.

Here, there is no case for calling this collection of 16 points, 17 points. The Spades are lousy, the ♦A Q doubleton is more a liability than a bonus and the Clubs do not inspire us. We suggest that a downgrade is more appropriate than an upgrade...

With that view in mind we regard Pass as being clear-cut. 2NT it remains.

Play.

West has an easy lead of the â™ K and we must Count and Plan.

Our initial count of top tricks shows one Spade, two Hearts and (with luck) five Diamonds. That's eight on top and that's all we need as we Passed out 2NT.

Now, on a friendlier lead we’d have an easy time. We could cash the ♦A Q, cross to the table using the ♠A as an outside entry, and revert to Diamonds. Only an unwelcome and unlucky 5-1 Diamond split would cause us any problems.

However, this West is not blessed with the spirit of friendliness. His â™ K lead is about to dislodge the â™ A from dummy and that will remove the all-important entry to the long suit. We may think of not taking the â™ A but that would only delay the inevitable. West would continue with Spades, forcing the â™ A at trick two or trick three. So we may as well take the â™ A at trick one and plan from there. Well?

Our revised count of top tricks shows that there are just six – one Spade, two Hearts and three Diamonds. The only way to play Diamonds (with dummy having no outside entry) is to cash the ♦A and overtake the ♦Q before cashing the ♦J. That gives three Diamonds on top.

To make more Diamond tricks (to swell the coffers to five) we need a favorable split. If Diamonds are 3-3 then the remaining ♦9 6 would be established as winners. A further (small but significant) chance is if one opponent started with ♦10 × and his partner with four low cards. This would also allow five Diamond tricks. Regardless – we still need fortune on our side.

Anyway – the fate of the hand is in the lap of the gods. We take the Spade lead and play a Diamond to the ♦A and then the ♦Q, overtaking with the ♦K. What we do see – oh frabjous joy! – is the ♦10 coming down in two. This leaves the ♦J 9 and the baby ♦6 all as winners.

We cash the Diamonds rapidly and gratefully and secure the contract with two Heart winners.