Good Slam? ... plan the play

[geofspa]

[hv=d=e&v=b&n=skq8hakjt54dajcaj&s=sa9754h8dk9c95432]133|200|Scoring: IMP

Well OK I gave a positive response to a 2♣ opening bid and I played in 6♠

 

♣K led[/hv]

 

I wonder is this a good slam to be in?

 

 

How would you plan the play?

[jtfanclub]

I don't see anything better than to win it, ace of hearts, ruff a heart, play three trumps KAQ, and run the hearts starting from the top. I don't see any way to improve the odds, unless a high spade drops on the first spade.

 

It's vulnerable, it's IMPs, I don't see any reason not to be there.

[Trumpace]

Looks like a reasonable slam to me.

 

Without the club lead, the odds are pretty good.

 

With the club lead, the odds are reasonable for a vul slam.

[pclayton]

Its a decent slam, and I think winning bridge involves getting to games and slams like this.

 

I'll win the ♣A (no reason to duck) and play A♥, ruff ♥. I'm assuming both follow and the ♥Q doesn't fall.

 

This is the critical decision of the hand and there are two choices:

 

You can play ♠A - K - Q. If trumps are 3-2, you can claim, since hearts are no worse than 4-2. If trumps are 4-1, you are toast.

 

Or you can try ♠K-Q. If spades are 4-1 with a stiff J/10 on your left, you can't shorten yourself a second time, but you can take advantage of 3-3 hearts by just running hearts through RHO, or hooking the spade and finishing in dummy. The problem with this line is that if hearts are 4-2 and LHO has 3-2 in the majors, you've created a real problem for yourself. If you draw the trump in your hand, you are in the wrong hand. You can try a sneaky finesse of the ♦J for an extra entry, but LHO might play 2nd hand high (he should if he's concentrating, and looking at that heart suit).

 

I think the 1st line is certainly simpler, and probably better.

 

By the way, I this is an interesting hand on a diamond lead too.