Have a Backup Plan: Recover When Plan A Fails
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It is always nice to see a way to make your contract. Sometimes you will see a very good way, for example all you need is a suit to break 3-2.
Its always a great start if you can see a decent plan to make your contract. However, don't relax too soon, look for extra chances - if possible have a back up plan.
Playing in 3NT you get a heart lead. You win trick 1 in dummy. The carding at trick 1 suggests that the hearts are breaking 5-3. (Try to find a plan, and a back up plan, before reading on).
Most declarer's will feel reasonably comfortable on this hand, because they can see that if the diamonds break 3-2 they will have enough tricks - 1 spade, 2 hearts, 5 diamonds, 1 club - for a total of 9. Good start, now look for a back up plan, let's anticipate for a moment that diamonds do not break.
The most interesting second option looks to be the club suit (it is your most robust suit outside of diamonds). There is a decent chance to make 3 club tricks, simply play a club to the 10. Then later, repeat the finesse. Hope for Hx or Hxx club on side. The important point is to realise that your plan A, the diamond suit, can wait a moment. There is no great rush to bang those down on the table. However, the club suit does require entries. At trick 2 play a club to the 10. Then, on the heart return, first test the diamonds by playing the Ace and King. If they work, great, take your 9 tricks. If they don't fall back on the second club finesse which you are now in a position to take.
Notice how you needed to take a club finesse immediately, at trick 2 (you need two entries for the double club finesse). In other words, you need to anticipate the plan B, from the start.
Overall, they key point is, if you are fortunate enough to spot a decent line to make your contract, take an extra moment to see if you have any extra options. Sometimes you need to spot the options straight away, you can't first try your plan A and then start looking.
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