<p>This is a lesson in a technique called "unblocking." And <strong>yes</strong>, the hand can be made in a "roundabout" way.</p>

<p>The first thing you should notice is that North has five tricks in hearts, from K down to 9. The thing that prevents you from taking those tricks is the "blocking" A in South's hand. So on the lead of the king of spades, declarer takes the ace of spades (one trick) in North and "unblocks" (discards) the ace of hearts from the South hand, thereby allowing North's hearts to "run."</p>

<p>The second thing you should notice is that North has six diamonds that can run, because they follow South's five HIGHER diamonds. But you need to get rid of South's diamonds, first. Fortunately, you can discard them on the KQJT9 of hearts. Then run your six diamonds from North, discarding 6 low clubs. Finally play the club 2 from North to South's ace. </p>

<p>You have one spade, five hearts, six diamonds, and one club trick, 13 tricks in all.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-08T23:51:48.967Z
Nice explanation of how the hand is read, as well as played.
Forget I was ever here
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-08T23:52:48.543Z
@PieterGeerkens: Coming from you, highly appreciated. I'm doing my best to "get there."
Tom Au
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-09T13:47:45.870Z
Thank you very much, nicely explained and it all looks so clear now.
Pam Marie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-08T23:47:34.220Z
2015-02-09T00:08:45.450Z
2015-02-09T00:08:45.450Z
Tom Au
<p>It is doable:</p>

<p>Trick 1: South trashes Ace of Hearts, North takes with the Ace of Spades.</p>

<p>Tricks 2-6: North leads (and takes) with 9-K of Hearts, South trashes 10-A of Diamonds.</p>

<p>Tricks 7-12: North leads (and takes) with 4-9 of Diamonds, South trashes 3-8 of Clubs.</p>

<p>Trick 13: North leads Club 2 to South's Ace.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-07T23:44:39.040Z
2015-02-07T23:44:39.040Z
Hao Ye
<p>I was on a cruise and we were given this quiz and I never got to find the answer.  I can see only 12 tricks.  </p>

<p>The Contract is 7NT</p>

<p>The Opening Lead is the King of Spades</p>

<p><strong>North</strong><br>
S A<br>
H KQJ109<br>
D 987654<br>
C 2  </p>

<p><strong>South</strong><br>
S Void<br>
H A<br>
D AKQJ10<br>
C A876543  </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-08T23:52:44.457Z
Of course it can be made - it wouldn't be an interesting hand otherwise.
Forget I was ever here
<bridge>
Can This Hand be made?
Pam Marie
# Can This Hand be made?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-07)

I was on a cruise and we were given this quiz and I never got to find the answer. I can see only 12 tricks.

The Contract is 7NT

The Opening Lead is the King of Spades

**North**  
S A  
H KQJ109  
D 987654  
C 2

**South**  
S Void  
H A  
D AKQJ10  
C A876543

Thanks

**Tags:** bridge

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Of course it can be made - it wouldn't be an interesting hand otherwise.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-02-08. Score: 8

This is a lesson in a technique called "unblocking." And **yes**, the hand can be made in a "roundabout" way.

The first thing you should notice is that North has five tricks in hearts, from K down to 9. The thing that prevents you from taking those tricks is the "blocking" A in South's hand. So on the lead of the king of spades, declarer takes the ace of spades (one trick) in North and "unblocks" (discards) the ace of hearts from the South hand, thereby allowing North's hearts to "run."

The second thing you should notice is that North has six diamonds that can run, because they follow South's five HIGHER diamonds. But you need to get rid of South's diamonds, first. Fortunately, you can discard them on the KQJT9 of hearts. Then run your six diamonds from North, discarding 6 low clubs. Finally play the club 2 from North to South's ace.

You have one spade, five hearts, six diamonds, and one club trick, 13 tricks in all.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Nice explanation of how the hand is read, as well as played.  
> **username_2**: @PieterGeerkens: Coming from you, highly appreciated. I'm doing my best to "get there."  
> **username_0**: Thank you very much, nicely explained and it all looks so clear now.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-02-07. Score: 3

It is doable:

Trick 1: South trashes Ace of Hearts, North takes with the Ace of Spades.

Tricks 2-6: North leads (and takes) with 9-K of Hearts, South trashes 10-A of Diamonds.

Tricks 7-12: North leads (and takes) with 4-9 of Diamonds, South trashes 3-8 of Clubs.

Trick 13: North leads Club 2 to South's Ace.


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