[JSilver]

Scoring: MP

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Only 6 of 50 E-W pairs reached slam on this deal. One West declared 6nt, making 13 tricks, despite a ♥ lead, when North pitched a ♣ on the run of the ♦ suit. One declared 6♣, which looks inferior to 6♦, but makes easily, given the placement of the ♠K and the 3-2 trump split.

Four pairs bid 6♦ and made it by different routes after a ♥ lead. Because of the 4-1 trump break and various blockages, the only legitimate line is to play ♠ for one loser. One West made what I think is the technically best play: high ♦ from hand, ♦ to dummy, revealing the split, ♠Q from dummy, with a finesse of the T in reserve if that lost. Another declarer ran the ♠9 at trick 2.

The other declarers were seduced by the ♣ suit. One immediately played 3 rounds of ♣, ruffing with the Q, then led K♦ and a trump to dummy, getting the bad news. He then led a ♣, and when South ruffed and led a ♥, ruffed and drew the last trump. This line should fail, but South blanked the ♠J when the last ♣ was played, and the ♠Q picked up the suit.

Comedy occurred at the last table. On the lead of the ♥8, North played the K, apparently playing her partner for a creative underlead of the A. This established a seemingly useless trick in dummy. Declarer now led a ♦ to the J, cashed the ♣A, led the ♦8 to the K, returned to the ♣K, ruffed a ♣ high and crossed back to the ♦A. Now when South ruffed the next ♣, he could not play a ♥, because of the play at trick 1. The only card now to beat the contract for certain was the ♠8, although the 5 might've worked in practice. But South, I suppose not wanting to see his partner play another K on a 7, led the J.

[han]

You didn't mention the line in 6♦ that first occured to me.. pull trump and duck a club. Why not?

[kenrexford]

Same thought. 6D is simple on a heart lead.

[JSilver]

Hannie, on Jan 26 2006, 04:06 PM, said:

You didn't mention the line in 6♦ that first occured to me.. pull trump and duck a club. Why not?

Ah, you're right. That line works, provided ♣ split favorably. I wonder if that's a higher percentage than the ♠Q play, which I believe works about 75% of the time, and could produce an overtrick once in a great while when South has the stiff J.

[Kalvan14]

The best combined line (on a heart lead) is:

• A heart
  
• A diamond
  
• A club
  
• small diamond to the king

If diamonds are 3-2, play a club toward the K (if W does not ruff), and ruff a club.
If diamonds are 4-1 (as per the posted hand), diamond to the J, and ♠Q.

This should give you the best combined chances.

[JSilver]

Concerning the ♣ duck line, a thought crossed my mind. As declarer, what will you do if South plays the ♣Q on the first round, as I believe he should. Will you continue with your plan, play him for both honors, or assume the Q is stiff and go after the ♠ suit?