I often hear that 1NT contracts are especially difficult. Here is my thinking on a recent hand.
On this hand I was South in 1NT after my opening 1NT (15-17) in second seat was passed out:
West leads the six of spades. I play the queen and East contributes the two. Now I know who has the king of spades, and that spades are breaking 4-3. I decide to see if I can set up an extra trick in the club suit (I like the touching jack and 10 in dummy). That looks like best chance for another trick. It may work out even if clubs break 4-2. The alternative of setting up an extra heart trick requires that hearts break 3-3 or the queen- jack is doubleton (about 38 percent chance altogether). I lead a low club toward hand, hoping that East has the ace. East plays the seven and my king wins (West playing the four). East has the ace! Two tricks are home for me.
Next I lead the five of clubs toward dummy, and West goes into a huddle. Now I know who has the queen. West plays the eight, I play the jack, and East wins the ace.
Back comes the 10 of spades and I win the ace. Three tricks are home. Now I play the six of clubs and West wins the queen, East discarding a low diamond. I now know that West started with 4-4 shape in the black suits.
West now cashes the two top spades. I discard a heart on the 4th spade and so does East. West shifts to the jack of diamonds, East plays low, and I win the queen. Four tricks are home.
Next I lead six of hearts to the ace, both opponents following low. I cash the 10 of clubs, East discarding a diamond. Six tricks are home.
Next I go to hand to cash king of hearts and back to ace of diamonds for a total of eight tricks, making 2NT for +120.