This deal was played in the 2012 Fort Lauderdale Regional.

 

In the Swiss Teams, South held: 10 4
K Q 10 8 7 6
10 2
K 9 2.

 

He was in 2nd seat, vulnerable against not, and RHO passed. Would you open 2? This is the position where preempts should be super-sound (2nd seat, unfavorable). While this isn't exactly KQJ10xx, I think that the suit is quite good and the side king gives me just enough to preempt. If I were not vulnerable or in 1st or 3rd seat, this would be a no-brainer--I wouldn't even need the K.

 

After 2, LHO passes and North raises to 4, everyone passing.

 

The 3 is led and you can see that partner expected a lot from your 2nd seat preempt:

 

K A 3 Q J 9 8 5 A 8 7 6 4

10 4 K Q 10 8 7 6 10 2 K 9 2

Perhaps partner was afraid to let the opponents find their spade fit.

 

In suit contracts, I like to think in terms of losers. This club lead is unfortunate.They are threatening to build a club trick before we can set up the diamonds. What if declarer wins the club and plays a diamond. They can win and play another club. Then, when declarer plays the next diamond, they have 4 winners (2 diamonds, a spade, and the club they've set up).

 

Furthermore, it looks like a 3-3 diamond break is needed, since declarer can't draw trump if dummy's A is not available as a late entry.  Do you see any hope?

 

What if the player who wins the 2nd diamond is out of clubs? Declarer can hope that the defender with the doubleton club is the one who wins the 2nd diamond. That might require misdefense (the defenders should, if possible, win the first diamond with the hand with the doubleton club and the second diamond with the hand with the winning third club). Even so, will declarer get rid of his spade loser, too?

 

All of these complexities can be eliminated with a simple tactical ploy. Envisioning big-time problems on this club lead, declarer has a neat move available. Knowing that defenders are not always perfect, declarer should be prepared to play low from both hands at trick 1! Why? When East wins his club (ten, jack or queen) at trick one, he will expect his partner has made a good lead. He easily might continue clubs, hoping to knock out the A. If declarer started with xxx, this would likely be winning defense.

 

To pull off such a play, it must be done smoothly. After 20-30 seconds thought (a normal amount of time), play low from dummy. East plays the J and declarer should nonchalantly follow with the 2. Will East fall into the trap?

 

Here is the Real Deal:

Vul: N-S Dlr: East	K A 3 Q J 9 8 5 A 8 7 6 4
A J 8 5 3 9 4 A 4 3 10 5 3		Q 9 7 6 2 J 5 2 K 7 6 Q J
	10 4 K Q 10 8 7 6 10 2 K 9 2

After East wins his J, there's an excellent chance he will continue with the Q (trying to establish a 2nd club trick for the defense). Won't he be surprised when declarer wins the K, draws trump and takes 6 hearts and 4 clubs for 620.