Is this a defense problem?

[Stephen Tu]

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=st653haj7xxdxcqxx&e=sq97hqtxdqxxxcxxx]266|200|South-north bid unopposed

1♦-1♥-3♣-3♥-3nt

[/hv]

S2-S3-S9-SA

HK-h2-hx-hx

Hx-h9-hj-HQ

?

 

S2 is 4th best.

 

Am I nuts to think this is a problem? Do you do something else at MP than at IMPs, is it no-brainer?

[rogerclee]

Declarer probably has ♠AK on this auction, so I'm just gonna play a low one back and wait for whatever tricks we can get.

[Guest Jlall]

In imps a low spade seems automatic, we need 5 tricks so if partner has KJxx of spades he will need a minor suit trick anyways, and if partner has Jxxx of spades we need him to have a club trick and the DA giving declarer AK Kx KJT9x AJxx. A diamond shift loses to the latter holding and doesnt gain ever that I can see.

 

In MP it is certainly a good problem since declarer could have Ax Kx AJxxx AKxx or similar making the SQ lose a trick. Some things that make me want to play the SQ:

 

1) With AK of spades declarer might have rebid 2N/opened 2N.

2) There are more hands possible for declarer where the SQ gains a trick than when it costs (club entry AND diamond ace not likely from partner, other layouts where declarer has 10+ tricks if we don't play the spade queen are more likely).

 

Factors against playing the SQ:

 

1) Restricted choice (declarer could win either honor at trick 1)

2) With Ax of spades and Kx of hearts declarer might have bid 3S over 3H

3) If declarer is a poor player, they might have ducked trick 1 or considered it (a lot of people don't know to win the ace and try to block the suit).

 

I guess it depends a lot on the opp, but it seems like a close call. Against myself I would play the SQ.

 

edited, then realized my edit was wrong so redited. Too late for this :)