On many hands declarer can count sufficient tricks for his contract but his difficulty lies in being at the right place at the right time. In a word, he has entry trouble. A sort of problem arises on the following hand, though here the defence may allow declarer to escape the consequence of misplay on the first trick. Dealer South All Vul
Q 10 6 K Q J 10 2 7 5 3 9 8
9 7 5 4 A 9 8 6 K 10 8 5 2 K 8 2 5 3 J 9 4 2 Q J 10 7
A J 3 7 4 A Q 6 A K 6 4 3
West North East South
1
Pass 1 Pass 2NT
Pass 3NT Pass Pass
Pass
Opening Lead 4 West’s natural lead afer this bidding is the4. The reader will appreciate that South’s proper course is to play low from dummy and win with theA. Then the Ace of hearts if forced out and dummy’s Q 10 represent a certain entry. If South makes the mistake of putting on the10 orQ in trick 1, East may return the gift by contributing hisK. East should note that dummy is short of entries and should retain the King so that he can top dummy’s other honour. West will hold up hisA for one round and dummy will be dead.

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