[Mbodell]

If it matters, you are playing against a weak pair:

Scoring: IMP

Contract 6♠S
Opening lead: 2♦

If it matters, this was the auction [influenced by both state of match and opponent quality] (opponents silent):
1♠* - 1NT* (10-15 5+♠; artifical gf relay)
2♦ - 2♥* (natural 4+♦; relay)
3♦* - 4♦* (5=3=4=1 shape; signoff transfer to 4♥ over which relayer will pass or place contract)
4♠* - 6♠ (refusal showing either ridiculous shape like 8=1=4=0 or, more likely, maximum hand 2 tricks above minimum; to play)

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What line looks best (East plays Q♦ to trick 1)?

[jtfanclub]

Spade finesse is gonna work, so I'll go with 3 rounds of diamonds, ace of spades, finesse the spade, take out the third spade, take the AK of clubs and sluff a diamond, then play hearts. Easy-peasy.

How do I know spades are 3-2 on the right side? Because I don't see any way to make it without it.

[Mbodell]

jtfanclub, on Dec 17 2007, 11:36 AM, said:

Spade finesse is gonna work, so I'll go with 3 rounds of diamonds, ace of spades, finesse the spade, take out the third spade, take the AK of clubs and sluff a diamond, then play hearts.  Easy-peasy.

How do I know spades are 3-2 on the right side?  Because I don't see any way to make it without it. 

That's exactly my thinking and my line and leads to -2.

Of course the complete hand is:

Scoring: IMP

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The other folks who bid it made it because they played:

2♦ - 6♦ - Q♦ - A♦

followed by:

J♠ - Q♠ - A♠ - 4♠

which solves the situation nicely (thanks LHO). I'm not 100% sure but I assume the person was planning on J to the A no matter what and finesse back which can help pick up some DA but isn't without risk as missing the 9 it isn't clear that the J can afford to be wasted - although if things split 4-1 you are going to have problems anyways so maybe it is a near free chance.