Today’s hand features a defensive play that is very common, but is missed by the vast majority of players at the table — see if you can sort it out!

The bidding was simple — North checked for a major with Stayman and when South denied a major North had an easy 3NT raise.

West led the heart four won by East’s King and East returned the heart nine — West won and cleared the hearts — and that was effectively the end of the defence!

Declarer now won and crossed to a spade to take the club finesse — when this lost declarer was still in control and chalked up plus 630 as ten tricks were available.

West was at fault here for not denying declarer the overtrick — South had denied a four-card heart suit in response to Stayman so East has to have started with at least three hearts.

Knowing that, West should have let declarer win the second heart and hold on to the precious Ace as an entry. Now when East gets in with the club she still has a heart left and the defence cashes two heart tricks to hold declarer to nine tricks for a complete top!

This play comes up often, and in most cases West would not have so much knowledge of the South hand, but the hold-up play in hearts is pretty standard with no other outside entry.

Again, this is about patience in defence — once in a blue moon the heart Ace won’t make (though it is difficult to see that happening on this hand) but the slight risk is worth the eventual reward.

• David Ezekiel can be reached at davidezekiel999@gmail.com

BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS

Monday, April 6

1 Charles Hall/Margaret Way

2 Sancia Garrison/Jane Smith

3 Wenda Krup/Jane Gregory

Tuesday, April 7

North/South

1 Tracey Pitt/Desiree Woods

2 John Thorne/Heidi Dyson

East/West

1 Julia Tadman/Joshimar Hussey

2 Keri McKittrick/Tim McKittrick

Wednesday, April 8

1 Betsy Baillie/Sharon Shanahan

2 Tracy Nash/Desmond Nash

3 Gertrude Barker/Jane Smith

Thursday, April 9

1= Charles Hall/Stephanie Kyme

1= Malcolm Moseley/Mark Stevens

3 Betsy Baillie/Magda Farag