[xeno123]

This somewhat interesting hand came up in a MP tournament:

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Most of the field ended up in 3NT (after varied bidding) and made 10 tricks on various opening leads. A couple of players, including the highly-rated "King" shown here, made 11 tricks.

But 10 or 11 turned out to be quite a battle.

On the diamond lead shown, only 10 tricks are available double-dummy. But once East fails to hold up the A♥ at trick 3, 11 tricks are again possible. But declarer goes wrong at trick 5 by not leading a low club (which seems to produce 11 by squeezing West in 3 suits). Instead on the actual heart lead at trick 5 only 10 tricks should be possible. But GIB rides to the rescue! On trick 9 GIB pitches what would be the boss J♦ under the queen for no clear reason and hands declarer another trick. Any explanation? Just trying to be friendly to a familiar top player?

And if anyone can explain how to figure out to lead a low club at trick 5 I'd appreciate it.

[manudude03]

A club at trick 5 just looks natural, it sets up a club trick regardless of what happens while holding off on it could risk losing more tricks later. You will need some good card reading skills if West pops up with the ace and returns a spade though.

I have no explanation for West dropping the jack though.