[gwnn]

Scoring: IMP

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Bidding went

1♥-p-2NT*-(3♦);
p-p-4♥-all pass;

* limit or better

LHO leads what appears to be the top of his diamond doubleton.

What's the best line at IMP? What would be the best line at MP?

[Fluffy]

Only hazzard I see a IMPS its a 4-0 break, in all cases I would start with ♥Q.

[Halo]

At both I will win the diamond, ruff a diamond, ace of spades, diamond ruff and play ace and another trump.

[nige1]

Quote

Dummy...  ♠ JT98 ♥ ATxx ♦ x ♣ AT9x
Declarer.. ♠ Ax ♥ QJxxx ♦ Axx ♣ Jxx
Auction...
1♥ (_P) 2NT-(3♦);
_P (_P) 4♥ AP;

2N = limit or better

LHO leads what appears to be the top of his diamond doubleton.

What's the best line at IMP? What would be the best line at MP?

You have 4 possible losers, 1 ♠ 1 ♥ and 2 ♣
My guess: take every finesse in sight

Finesse ♥10.
If ♥10 loses and RHO exits in ♠, then finesse.
If LHO wins and exits in ♣ then finesse.
If RHO wins and returns a ♠, then win perforce with ♠A; ruff a ♦; ruff a ♠; ruff a ♦; cross to ♥J; and run hearts.
If a ♠ honour is still outstanding and LHO has 5 or more ♠, then you must hope for a show-up squeeze. In any case, you may judge that the show-up squeeze is your best chance.

IMO it can be a mistake to lead ♥Q at trick 2, because, if hearts break badly, then opponents may be able to set up another trump loser by forcing dummy.

[foo]

gwnn, on May 14 2007, 01:28 AM, said:

Bidding went

1♥-p-2NT*-(3♦);
p-p-4♥-all pass;

* limit or better

LHO leads what appears to be the top of his diamond doubleton.

What's the best line at IMP? What would be the best line at MP?

You are in a 21 HCP game. That should be sufficiently anti-field that your primary consideration at any form of scoring is to make your contract.

You have a loser in S's. Potentially 1 loser in H's. 1, potentially 2, losers in C's.

You can afford to either
a= lose a H and a C (most likely line) or
b= lose 2 C's

If 3D is Weak, the HK rates to be onside and I'd play Hx to the HT.

If 3D is serious, the HK rates to be offside, and I'll play Cx to the C9, hoping for both C honors to be onside (not likely).
If E takes a C as is most likely, then I have to decide which normally anti-percentage H position is most likely here: xxx:K or K onside and play accordingly.

Note that if the HK is onside, there are lies of the cards here where you can make 6.
Doesn't mean you belong there