[FrancesHinden]

When presented it as a play problem, I'm sure everyone will get this right.
But an expert team-mate went off in it at the table (while expert opponent made it), so it's clearly an instructive hand.

Scoring: IMP

1NT (strong) P 2♣ P
2♦ P 3NT all pass

---

Same auction at both tables.
A low diamond led, to RHO's Ace and Queen, followed by a low spade switch.
LHO plays attitude leads, so you don't know the diamond count from the lead, but I'll tell you for free they are 5-2.

Plan the play.

[mila85]

I guess west has KJxxx in diamonds. I need spade finesse to work. So I take with spade queen and run ♣10.

If west doesn't cover I take what east returns and play ♣K. If clubs are 3-2 or east has 4 it's easy.
If west has 4clubs I play all my winners ending in dummy. Position is:
- - xx x / - - - A97 If west discarded club I can run them. If he holds both clubs I endplay him in diamonds.

If west covers I must guess. I think it's right to finesse in clubs next round because of restricted choice (if west has QJx(x) I don't know way how to make the contract).

[PMetsch]

I would take the ♠A. If the finesse works there is no need to take it and I can make the contract if LHO has a singleton ♣J/Q. Then lead the ♣9 and run it if it is not covered. If it is covered take it with the ♣K, play a club to the 7.

I don't know if this is the best line. I may be 6 down if I loose the first club to RHO and the ♠K is with LHO. Maybe the best line is to take the ♠ finesse and duck a ♣ to RHO. If the finesse works I get 10 tricks, if it looses I make 7 tricks. It is hard to calculate the IMP profit/loss.

[Gerben42]

I take the same line as PMetsch.

[mikeh]

Good hand. I tried to come up with an answer in the time I might take at the table in a tough match. So much for the excuses

Win the ♠A.

If the K drops stiff (highly unlikely) then you can make it even if LHO holds QJx of ♣: you cash your major winners, ending in dummy and squeezing LHO out of a ♦ winner before exiting in ♦. However, in the end game you must decide whether to play LHO for QJx or to play for split honours in ♣.

So if the K♠ drops, run the ♣10.

If the K does not drop (and it will not): play the ♣10 (or 9).

If it is ducked, float to RHO and hope the ♠K is onside.

If it is covered: win and play a ♣ to the A.

This caters to QJ tight: making the contract even when the ♠K is offside.

Why not apply restricted choice and hook the 7♣ on the way back? This is an interesting question.

If LHO holds the ♠K, he should not cover from J8 or Q8, since you might go right by playing low to the 9 next. But if you would play low to the 7, he breaks even by covering. If he does NOT hold the ♠K, he must cover with J8 or Q8: to give the defence any chance he has to hope that you will play low to the 7 next time.

These J8 or Q8 holdings render pure restricted choice inapplicable.

If the LHO shows out, play a ♥ to the Q and a ♣ up. RHO must win and his best defence (if he holds the ♠K) is to return a ♥. You win in dummy, giving up on your 4th ♥, and lead a ♠ to the Q.

You make 2♠, 3♥ and 4♣.

You frequently lose an overtrick imp: maybe 2 if the ♠ hook works and the ♣ are 4-1 with stiff honour on your left, but I think this line maximizes the chances of making.

BTW, this would have made this one of the slowest boards I have ever played!

[david_c]

Well, this problem is too hard for me really, but just for a bit of variety I'll lead back to the nine of clubs after the ten is covered. I hope someone will be able to explain to me why this is bad

[Fluffy]

♠A tehn run 4♥ trying to squeeze west if he happens to have 3♣, if it doesn't work then ♣K hoping for a stiff honnor then ♣A if nothign works, and a third ♣ making eASt in who will ahve to give me an entrty in ♠.

[FrancesHinden]

My team-mate (the original declarer) has asked me to add that the event is a 124-board round robin scored as total imps. He claims this is relevant.

[mikeh]

This is a fascinating hand, that rewards further reflection.

I want to make a very small change to my previous post.

Win the ♠A.

If the K drops singleton offside (I know, it is remote at best), I had proposed and rejected a strip endplay on LHO. In fact, the hand is almost cold at this juncture:

Lead a ♣: the 9 or the 10. If RHO ducks, then float it.

Say it loses, and back comes a ♠: win the Queen, and lead to the ♣K. If both opps follow or RHO shows out (1=6=5=1 with a ♦ lead, so unlikely ), you pick up the ♣.

If RHO shows out: LHO began with Hxxx: then cash the ♥, stripping LHO down to 2=2 in the minors, and exit a ♦ to endplay LHO.

If LHO covers the ♣9 or 10, win the King, cash the KJ♥ (to eliminate 5-1 splits there) and if both follow to two rounds of ♥, cash the ♠Q and finish the ♥, forcing LHO down to 2-2 in the minors and exit a ♦: this way you pick up QJx(x) of ♣ in LHO with no guesswork involved.

A lot of work on a 'leaf' that is highly unlikely: the stiff ♠K, but sometimes my mind won't let go no matter what And it is a pretty ending.