Bridge: Play for a mis-defence, or take decisive and potentially humiliating action? 

Trialling for a club team requires that anything be done to bring home a slim game contract. Can you spot the requisite play here? 

Bidding
Dealer: North
Love All

With virtually a 2C Opener, South must ensure that North is compelled to bid so, first, she doubles for take-out. When West passes, North’s forced 2D response promises nothing, but South must hope that North holds something to make game a good shot: a couple of low spades, plus K♥ or J♣ make it pretty much lay-down. To bid any less than 4S seems pusillanimous.

When West leads 7♥, declarer can see four likely losers. The bidding suggests that East holds A♣ but, since you can only lead once from dummy, for this to prove profitable, East must either rise — incorrectly — with his A♣, or hold a doubleton. It is true that East is likely to be short in suits other than hearts, but is this the best hope? 

A second entry to dummy — allowing declarer to lead clubs towards his ♣KQ5 twice — solves the problem. Winning trick 1, declarer must lead 3♠ from hand and, when West plays low, insert North’s 8♠. When this holds the trick, the double lead of clubs can be achieved and the contract comes home. Once you accept that you do require two entries to dummy, this risky play becomes your best chance.