[bhall]

Scoring: MP

P-1♦(12-14 NT or any unbalanced strong 2)-1N(alerted as 12-15 balanced)-X-2C-X-P-P-XX-P-2S-X, all P.
Partner leads A and another ♠, and you continue with the third trump, on which partner pitches the ♣2, discouraging. You lead the ♣Q anyway, ducked by declarer, who pitches a ♥ from dummy. Partner follows with the ♣4, present count (odd number remaining).

You ask, and are told that 1N could be semi-balanced (4225). How should you continue?

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[bhall]

OK, a little hint may help. Assume declarer holds ♥Kx and ♦Qx or xx. Your side is cold for 3N.

How can you beat this contract 3 tricks?

[bhall]

And the answer is...

Partner is marked for 4=2=3=4. He may well own the ♥A10 and the ♦AJ, so a low ♥ from your hand will take out dummy's entry if partner will insert the 10 when declarer plays low from his hand. Whatever he plays next, declarer can be tapped in his hand with ♥ continuations, denying him entry to his long ♣.

Continuing ♣ instead allows declarer to set up his 5th ♣ (A, K, ruff); playing 3 rounds of ♦ sets up that suit in dummy.

However, a small ♥ led immediately creates a problem for partner, since he does not know whether you are leading from Jxx, Kxx, or KJx. You can solve this problem by playing the ♦K first. You will then have shown with 12 HCP (♠KQ, ♣QJ, and ♦K), so you only have room for the ♥J.

It's true, partner made a poor decision to double 2♠, rather than bidding 3N, but declarer has just given you a chance to change a bottom to a top, and only you can bring it off.

[TheoKole]

low ♥ lead from hand now to take out declarers entry to his hand, partner must duck his Ace ♥ if declarer plays low from dummy.

If declarer covers with the Q ♥ from dummy partner plays his A ♥ and returns a small heart to knock out declarers K ♥ or returns a small ♦ to your K ♦ so you can lead through dummys 97 ♥ to partner's 108 ♥.

Cheers,

Theo