Safety play in 3NT

Only N-S hands are shown, to replicate the difficult decisions North players faced in playing 3NT.

East leads a small heart. Good play is not to play the Ace. West wins with the KH and returns a small heart.

You play the Jack, East the Queen, now you win with the Ace. Now the 10H is a winner.

North now takes stock. Combined, the other 3 suits have 7 cards each.

Those suits could give 3 winners each. Which suit to play on first?

Care must be taken because E-W will lead hearts at the first opportunity.

Do you finesse a spade or a diamond or play clubs and force the Ace?

This decision is vital, as 5 Norths found out, going 1 or 2 down.

If you were sitting E-W, imagine having Norths cards and try working out what the safe playing strategy is.

As the Ace of clubs is a definite loser you must play clubs first.

When they take their ace, they return a heart to get rid of your winning 10H.

The question now is "Who is the danger opponent". You must realise East is, as they now have winning hearts.

So avoid finessing a possible loser to East,  ie do not finesse a spade.  Instead finesse the JD, which loses.

Now West has no further hearts to lead to their partner. When they lead a spade, play the Ace.

Now play the rest of the diamonds and clubs, to make 9 tricks.

Key to safety play:  Firstly, play clubs as this removes their definite winner.

                               Secondly avoid finessing into the danger hand.