What does West pitch on the third Club?

-          If West pitches a Spade then you cash the ♠A and duck a Spade to West’s King, scoring the 9^th trick with the ♠Q

-          If West pitches a Heart then you cash the ♥Q and run the ♦J around to West (now West must play on Diamonds or Spades, either of which gives up the 9^th trick)

-          If West pitches a Diamond then you run the ♦J around to West’s Queen and have the timing to set up the 13^th Diamond.

 

Poor West was squeezed in three suits, but it required accurate card reading to take advantage of that.  It also required that Declarer played the Clubs just right, running the Nine first, and leading a low Club from hand on the second round.  That way he was able to win the third Club on the board (in case West pitched a Heart and Dummy’s ♥Q needed to be cashed), and keep the fourth Club as an entry to hand (in case West pitched a Diamond).

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