After the unblocking, let me present you the 2nd technique that will make you a killer at card play: the finesse.
Here's what the Diamonds look like that day (I only show you the important cards):
Your North-South side has no master card.
Now, play the ♦3:
- if West plays the Ace, play the ♦2
- if he plays the ♦5, play the King.
In any case, you will make a trick. Of course, this only works if the Ace is on the left: if it is on the right, it will always capture the King.
But in this case, there is nothing you can do: the cards are poorly placed, that's all.
The finesse is this: playing towards an honor that is not master, hoping that higher honors are placed before. Unlike unblocking where you didn't care which hand you played from, you see here that it is vital to play in the right direction.
At No Trump, South holds K4 of Diamonds, North holds 62. You can choose the starting hand. Which line gives the King a chance against a non-singleton Ace?
Section quizOnly one suit at No Trump; useful communications are available. Other suits are not evaluated.
Another example:
Play the ♠3 towards the ♠Q: West cannot prevent you from making 2 tricks.
South holds AQ4 of Spades and North holds 763. North plays the 3; East provides the King. What do you play from South?
Section quizOnly one suit at No Trump; useful communications are available. Other suits are not evaluated.
It even works when several honors are missing, look:
Play towards the ♣3 to ♣10 then the ♣4 to the ♣Q: West will watch the train pass and you will make 3 tricks.
Beware once again of the big bear trap:
Do not start from the Queen "to capture the King", it serves no purpose: West will play the King, you will take with the Ace and you will not have gained anything since you will only have small cards left.
Hope for the ♥K before the ♥Q and play the ♥2 towards the ♥Q: this time, East cannot prevent you from making 2 tricks.
North holds A65, South holds Q32 in one suit. South leads with the Queen; West covers with the King and North takes with the Ace. How many honor tricks can North-South still make in this suit?
Section quizOnly one suit at No Trump; useful communications are available. Other suits are not evaluated.
Come on, become a finesse machine: