Hand 273 — Inviting Game over 1NT:

Play this hand
Dealer
S
User Side
N/S
Contract
2NT
Declarer
S
Tricks Makeable
7
Recommended Lead
2D
Vulnerability
Both
System
SAYC

Planning

Responder invites with 2NT, but opener passes with a minimum 15-count and no competitive features.

The Deal

North
K 10 5
Q J 8
10 9 4
Q 10 5 3
West
9 4
10 7 5 2
K 8 7 2
A J 6
East
J 7 6 3 2
A 6 3
A 5 3
9 4
South
A Q 8
K 9 4
Q J 6
K 8 7 2
North: 8 HCP, 3-3-3-4 (bal)
East: 9 HCP, 5-3-3-2 (bal)
South: 15 HCP, 3-3-3-4 (bal)
West: 8 HCP, 2-4-4-3 (bal)

Bidding Sequence

S W N E
1NTPass2NTPass
PassPass

Final Comments

in a 1 no-trump contract we count our winners.
3 spades
2 hearts
1 diamond
2 clubs
That is 8 tricks, and our contract seems to be safe.
However, as the cards lie, west should lead a diamond, east wins with the ace and returns a diamond. West wins with the king and plays a third. When he next gets in with the AC, back will come another diamond leaving us 1 down.