Probably an easier play problem than normal

[lmilne]

[hv=d=n&v=e&n=st65hkdaq653ca987&s=saqj842hat42d9ct4]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Bidding: 1♠-(2♥)-4♥-4NT-5♥-6♠. Comments welcome re: bidding as well.

 

Opening lead is 2♣, plan the play.

[bluecalm]

Strange.

The lead really looks like singleton but on the other hand would E overcall with only vulnerable:

Kx

QJ9xxx

KJxx

x

 

Probably yes but he hold this exact hand (or 3-6-3-1 or 2-7-3-1 etc with exact honor cards).

I doubt he would lead from Qxx/Kxx or even xxx holding either diamond shortness or QJ of hearts so I base my play on the assumption his hand looks like the one I pictured.

So.. I play A♣ then K♥, then small spade to the ace. Then ♦ finesse and A♦ to discard a club. Then ♦ ruff, heart ruff (praying W don't overruff), ♦ruff back, ♥ruff with T♠, last ♦ ruff and Q♠.

 

I lose if hearts are 7-1 and spades 2-2 but I win on many probably layouts.

[gnasher]

Why should the lead be a singleton? The lead might be from x QJ9xxx Kx KJxx or K QJ9xxx xxx Kxx, or any other hand where clubs looked a more attractive lead than diamonds.

 

LHO is likely to have at least one of the pointed-suit kings, so Bluecalm's approach seems reasonable, except that if LHO plays ♦K early I think you should ruff clubs back to hand.