But would it have made if East had played the three instead of the nine?

A heart was led, East played low, and the king won in the closed hand.

But he did better when East played the ten and the king won.

East played low, and the ten won in the closed hand.

East played well by playing low, and South won with the jack.

If that was required, East would play a low heart.

He led the heart ten and put up the king when East played low.

When East played the three, he covered with the seven.

East should have played low, leaving South to guess, but he won with the king.

After you have decided, would your answer be different if East had played the club ten?