That is what I was wondering : a singleton Sp for East. After Cl Ace and then Cl Q , if East ruffs Cl Q w/ stiff Sp 3, it is the only trick they take ... as long as East also has the Ht Ace . What can East return that doesn't give South the rest of the tricks ? [ However, I think the contract will fail if East does NOT ruff Cl Q ] .
Ruff Ht w/low Sp... Key plays next are taking the Cl Ace and then leading Cl Q . East more than likely has the Cl K and is now faced with losing propositions .
With NO bids by your side of any side-suit, then 5-of-trump asks for trump quality. The replies are: pass = with NO trump honor 6H = 1 of top 3 trumps 7H = 2 of top 3 trumps
The simple answers: -- The single-jump-shift is natural and strong ... -- A double-jump shift is a splinter for partner's last bid suit ... 1D - 1S ?? 3C = strong, natural 4C = splinter
5D ( next step ) asks for trump Q . 5H = ♠ Q and ♥ K . Partner may not necessarily have all the key cards -- could be missing 1 -- but needs to know about the trump Q for slam. If you didn't have it, then 5S would have been your reply which he could pass.
I felt like a a 4H contract was right, so it couldn't hurt to show a shape with the 4D!-splinter. Pard said he wouldn't have done anything over 4H but with no wastage in Diam he decided to investigate with RKCB and then went to 6H . Pard: ♠ x x ♥ A K Q 9 8 x x ♦ J 9 x ♣ Q