defensive problem

[karlson]

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=sahxxxdkqjxxxctxx&w=sq9xxxhaj8xdackxx&e=shdc&s=shdc]399|300|Scoring: IMP

1♠-2♦-2♠-2N

p-3N-ppp[/hv]

 

You lead a small spade and partner discourages. Declarer plays the ♦K and partner shows odd count. You're up.

[nige1]

Dealer: West Vul: N/S Scoring: IMP

♠ A ♥ xxx ♦ KQJxxx ♣ Txx ♠ Q9xxx ♥ AJ8x ♦ A ♣ Kxx ♠ [space] ♥ [space] ♦ [space] ♣ [space] ♠ [space] ♥ [space] ♦ [space] ♣ [space]

1♠-2♦-2♠-2N p-3N-ppp You lead a small spade and partner discourages. Declarer plays the ♦K and partner shows odd count. You're up.

• ♠Q works when declarer has say ♠ Kxx ♥ KT9 ♦ xxx ♣ AQx.
  
• ♥x works when declarer has say ♠ KJxx ♥ QT9 ♦ xxx ♣ AQx.
  
• ♣K works when declarer has say ♠ KJx ♥ KT9 ♦ xxx ♣ Axxx.
  

Perhaps partner would have done better to indicate suit pereference than count; but I guess to lead a ♥ which requires only one good card in partner's hand; whereas other leads need more and better cards. Also, I reckon that declarer is more likely to hold good ♣ than good ♥