Regular Matchpoints

[kfay]

[hv=d=n&v=b&n=skqhajxxdakxxcjxx&s=saxh108xxxxdqxckxx]133|200|Scoring: MP

1♦-(P)-1♥-(2♣)

3♥-(P)-4♥-All Pass[/hv]

 

The lead is the ♠J.

 

Plan the play.

[vuroth]

I'll probably get this wrong, but

win, ace of hearts, clear the pointed suits, discarding a club, then throw in with a heart. hearts can only be 3-0 one way, and this seems to give me my best shot at endplay in clubs.

 

I looked at running the ten of hearts at trick 2, but a club return by RHO may set me if RHO started with Hx in hearts and 2 clubs. (and I'm too much of an imp player to let that happen.)

 

[Tapek]

From a simple beginner, at the table my line of play would of been to win with the As then let the Th run. If covered take the A and play diamonds throwing a club. If not covered then play diamonds and throw club as soon as in again.

[quiddity]

Win SA and lead a low trump. If LHO plays low you have a guess; if he started with Hx, you can make an overtrick by playing the A, eliminating spades and diamonds, and throwing him in with a trump. If he started with KQx, you can make an overtrick by finessing the J followed by a similar endplay.

 

Assuming you think it's possible that LHO made a vul. 2-level overcall with something like JTxx Kx x AQT9xx, it seems right to play for that and go up with the A on the first round. With KQx LHO could have prevented the chance of an overtrick by splitting his honors, and even if you go up with the ace you can still make the contract. So his low trump on the first round from KQx would have been a no-win play.