Best way to play this 6S?

[fingolfin3]

[hv=d=n&v=n&n=sqxxhakqxxdxckxxx&s=sakjt97hxxdaqxxcx]133|200|[/hv]

 

No interference in the auction. Trump lead.

 

What's the best route to make 6? It looks to me like you should start by leading a small ♣ to the K. If LHO wins the ♣A, you have 11 tricks off the top and a ♦ ruff for 12.

 

If RHO takes the ♣K with the ace, play a second trump (if RHO doesn't lead one back). If trumps are 2-2, you can set up an extra ♥ winner by ruffing in hand as long as hearts are 4-2 or better. If trumps are 3-1, you need the ♦ finesse. So diamond to ♦Q, ♦ ruff, ♣ ruff, draw last trump and throw a ♦ on the third ♥ winner.

 

Does this line seem right?

 

(By the way, don't ask what I actually did at the table, which was a horrendous crime against bridge.)

[vuroth]

If the ♣ finesse fails, I get a ♦ lead back through my AQ, and I have to decide NOW if I'm finessing or not.  There should be a better way.

 

Test for 2-2 ♠s now.  If so, you can cash the AKQ♥, tossing a ♣.  If ♥s are 3-3 you're home - no finesse needed.  If ♥s are 4-2, you can ruff, return to dummy via the Q♠, and you still have the ♦ finesse for the the 12th trick.

 

If ♠s were 3-1, I'll take my chances with the AK♥.  If they hold, I'll ruff a ♥ high.  3-3 and I'm home, 4-2 and I'm back to needing a finesse to be home.

 

No idea if this is better, but I've learned in the last few months to combine chances and delay decisions, and both seem to apply here.

 

EDIT: Nevermind. Club first is fine - if ♦return, Ace, and 2 diamond ruffs, the second with the queen - this only fails when ♦s are 7-1 and you get overruffed. If ♠ return, I now like AK♥ as I had above, even if ♠s are 3-1.

[wclass___]

♣ to K feels like a good start to me

 

If RHO wins and doesn't return ♠, ♦A, ruff ♦, ruff ♣ in hand, ruff another ♦, ruff another ♣ in hand and claim.

So if ♠ and 3-1 you also win.

[fingolfin3]

If the ♣ finesse fails, I get a ♦ lead back through my AQ, and I have to decide NOW if I'm finessing or not. 

I think you're still ok in that case -- just take the ♦A. With two trumps left in dummy, you can ruff a ♦, ruff a ♣ back to hand, and ruff another ♦. ♣ ruff back to hand and draw trumps.

 

The interesting thing about this hand (to me) is that starting with ♣ to the K isn't necessarily the best way to gain another trick, but it gives you transportation back to your hand, which provides you with more options.