[mich-b]

Scoring: IMP

1NT(12-14) - 3NT

---

You as West decided to lead the ♥A. How would you and your favourite partner handle the defense ? Should east encourage/discourage/show count?

How should west decide if East has ♥Qxxxx or his actual holding?
And how should East signal to make sure partner continues only if he has AKxx?

Do you think you and your partner would defeat 3NT here?

[gnasher]

I think East should discourage. In this sort of situation, encouraging should say that it's OK for West to continue with a low one. That is, you cater for AK9x opposite Qxx, but not for AKxx opposite xxxxx.

On the occasions when the suit is cashing from the top, the leader may be able to work out that this is his best chance anyway, or you may get another chance later, after East has had a chance to make a Smith or suit-preference signal.

I can't, however, see West switching to a diamond, regardless of what East signals.

[Codo]

I can ask partner with the King for count ace for att, so my partner would answer honestly.

I would ask for attitude and partner will give me a positive signal, because he would me like to continue if I have AKxx and he does not know that a switch to his shortest suit will beat the contract...

If I had lead the king and got a length signal, I had continued the suit. My partner is allowed to hold the queen in his 5 card suit and not in his shortest....

And no, we cannot read whether or not partner or declarer has 5.