[han]

Step in the shoes of South, playing with North (me). West opens 1D, and without interference they bid 1D-1S-1NT-3NT. Partner leads the heart 6 and you see:

Scoring: IMP

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You play the J, declarer wins the ace. A diamond goes to the queen and a diamond goes back to the ace (partner following 5, 10) and a third diamond goes to partner's king. Which signal do you want to give?

[akhare]

Declarer seems to have a 11-14 count w/ AK of ♥ and either or both black jacks. Assuming spades break 3-3, declarer can make 4♦, 3♠ and 2♥ as you won't have ♥ left when a spade is ducked into you.

It seems right to encourage a club, but then pard is likely to have a doubleton and scoring 2♣, 1♠ and 1♦ won't set the contract.

All said that done, it's best to make a neutral discard and let pard continue ♥ (hoping he's QT or something like that) or whatever he deems best...

Atul

[hatchett]

If partner's lead is fourth highest then he holds QT7(x) remaining and a heart continuation will break the contract for sure, partner is marked with the ♣ K.

The only danger is if partner thinks the ♣ suit needs to be cashed to break the contract. For instance declarer holds Qxx AKx Axxxx xx, so I must not encourage clubs because then partner is entitled to think I have AJ to length and he will play K and another rather than another heart.

[han]

Very good!

Here is the full hand:

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Notice North's dilemma: If declarer has the ♠Q but not the ♣J then a club shift is called for because declarer has 10 top tricks. But if declarer has the !cJ and not the spade queen then a heart continuation will beat the contract.

If south asks for a club then north wilil get it wrong.