The power of 9xx

Lets play a little game. I'll start describing a hand and you tell me when you work out why 9xx is critical. Here's the full deal:

	♠ Q 9 2 ♥ J ♦ Q 7 2 ♣ A K 8 7 5 4
♠ K T 6 4 ♥ 7 4 3 2 ♦ J T ♣ Q J 3		♠ A J ♥ A Q T 8 6 ♦ 8 4 3 ♣ 9 x x
	♠ 8 7 6 3 ♥ K 9 5 ♦ A K 9 6 5 ♣ T

I opened a marginal 1♦ as South to which partner responded 2♣, GF. Ouch.

I have to rebid 2♦ and on hearing 3♣ I turn green and bid 3NT hoping partner holds 15 highs. Not this time.

Seen it yet?

West led the ♠6 (3rds & 5ths), East won the Jack and cashed the Ace.

Three to the nine, what could it possibly be good for?

East thought for some time before cashing the ♥A. Thinking some more he persisted with the ♥Q.

I'm sure I had a hand with nine third in all four suits once.

Not feeling under any pressure to start winning tricks I ducked the ♥Q and prayed that East would continue.

Would a switch to 9xx be better?

East did continue so pitching a club off the table I ran the diamond suit.

Here's the position with two diamonds to go:

	♠ Q ♥ - ♦ - ♣ A K 8 7
♠ K T ♥ - ♦ - ♣ Q J 3		♠ - ♥ T 8 ♦ - ♣ 9 x x
	♠ 8 7 ♥ - ♦ 9 6 ♣ T

On the penultimate diamond East failed to recognise the quality inherent in his club holding and let go the smallest. Sadly for West that meant that the very next diamond effected a spade/club squeeze and I had my nine tricks.