hanp, on Mar 15 2010, 01:36 PM, said:
LHO will never lead a diamond on this auction from Jxx, or from xxx for that matter. Diamond 2 from J10xxxx with the club ace is quite possible, as is a singleton without the club ace (singleton with the club ace seems like a very poor choice).
Given that LHO did not overcall I think it is clear to play him for a singleton. I will play a low club from dummy. If RHO hops the ace and returns a diamond I will ruff high and hope clubs split 2-2.
If RHO plays the 10 or J at trick 2 I will later finesse.
My sort of feeling is what your first paragraph says, a diamond would never be led from 2, 3 or 4, and that the leader would have 1, 5 or 6.
I sat here and watched my partner play it, but I think I'd have done things the opposite way to him, will canvass some more opinions before I reveal what was going on.