Finding the solution to an entry problem is often the critical factor in the play of a hand.

Consider this case where the defense starts off with two rounds of diamonds. South ruffs and would like to take two heart finesses, as well as lead a club toward his king. But since he has only two entries to dummy to attempt these three plays, South has a logistical problem to solve.

The best way to proceed is to lead a trump to the king at trick three and return a low heart, finessing the jack after East follows low.

West wins with the queen and can do no better than return a diamond. South ruffs, crosses to dummy with a trump and leads the ten of hearts, finessing again after East plays low.

This is declarer’s second lead from dummy, and when the finesse succeeds, he discontinues hearts and leads a club to the king. Since East, as expected, has the ace, South accomplishes his mission, losing only a heart, a diamond and a club.

Note that if East covers the ten of hearts with the king on the second round of the suit, South can then return to dummy’s nine to make the critical club lead toward the king.

Note also that if South starts playing the hearts by leading the ten from dummy, instead of the deuce, he later runs into a dead end. The next time he gets to dummy with a trump, he can lead a heart or club — but he can’t do both, and as a result, he will finish down one.

Tomorrow: Bidding quiz.