leads

[han]

I never said that, you must have cut 's mom right after Donn.

[kenberg]

You lead the 8 and it goes 8 2 3 4

 

Is it possible for the original layout to be

 

 

******** 53

 

 

KT62 *******************A4

 

 

 

I think so. Maybe declarer has some work to do in a side suit, say length missing the A and K, assumed to be split. He reads the 8 as being from spots, possibly two. If so, suppose he plays the ace at trick 1 and starts in on his Q high suit. Opening leader hops up and continues the original suit with his remaining spot, the nine is played on declarer's right (or the J if dummy plays the T) and the suit is cleared while declarer's rho still holds an entry in declarer's suit. Ducking at trick one cuts communication. This could be his worry, and his reason for ducking. Hardly exotic.

 

So the above layout appears to me to be possible. Partner has discouraged. Still a continuation may well be right. Harmless in terms of tricks, but might lose tempo.

 

 

As to the lead at trick 1 it seems to me, lacking clear clues from the bidding, the Q is both standard and apt to be right. Certainly the cards can be arranged to make it turn out wrong.