Spot Cards Speak

North deals.  With your side silent, the auction progresses 1♥ by North, 1NT (not forcing) by South, 4♥ by North.

You lead the ♣J and see:

You are playing standard carding.

1. ♣J, 3, 4, A.
2. ♥K, 7, 2, 3
3.  ♥Q, ♠9, ♥5, ♥A
4. ♠4, J, Q, 2

What do you play and why?

Do you remember the club spots played at Trick 1?  If so, you realize that the only unseen clubs are the 9 and the 2.  Where might they lie?

You can be sure that declarer owns the ♣9.  After all, your partner would not have played the ♣4 at Trick 1 from a holding of either 942 (he would have played the 2) or 94 (he would have played the 9).

Who owns the ♣2?  Well, if partner were dealt the 42 doubleton and thus declarer were dealt the A9 doubleton, then declarer might have tried to discard a spade on the third round of clubs before giving up the lead to the ♥A.  Thus, all indications are that partner was dealt the ♣4 singleton and you must give him a ruff right now.

If you fail to give your partner a club ruff at Trick 5, declarer will arrange to finesse you out of your ♣T8 and pitch a losing diamond on dummy’s fourth club.

The spot cards spoke.  Were you listening?

PS: If West were dealt ♣42 doubleton (so that declarer were dealt ♣A9 doubleton), a club return by you would deny declarer the ability to pitch a loser on the third round of clubs … assuming your partner has a third heart.