If it is a loser, do not ruff at first

In today’s deal, what should be the result in four spades after West leads the club king?

Note East’s balancing one-no-trump overcall. This shows only 11 to 15 points. With a normal strong no-trump, East doubles and rebids in no-trump.

South’s three-heart rebid and North’s jump to four spades were aggressive but reasonable. North liked his three-card spade support, a ruffing value in South’s second suit and an ace.

South wins the first trick with dummy’s ace, plays a heart to his queen, cashes the heart ace, and leads another heart. Should West ruff with his spade 10 or pitch a minor-suit card?

In general, if declarer is about to ruff a loser, the defender should discard.

Here, if West ruffs, the contract can be made. South trumps the (say) club continuation, ruffs a heart on the board (bringing down East’s king), and plays a spade to his nine. He continues with a high trump and loses only two spades and one diamond.

If West correctly discards at trick four, the play gets interesting. South ruffs, trumps a club in his hand and leads another heart. Now West must ruff! He then leads a minor, and South cannot avoid losing another two spades and one diamond to East.

— May 6, 2025