Weird spade layout

[kayin801]

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=sj763hda74caj7654&w=sk108haq8dk1086ck102&e=sq954h752dj932c93&s=sa2hkj109643dq5cq8]399|300|Scoring: MP

Contract: 4♥ by S

[/hv]

 

Play or defend? Pretty sure the best lead is the 8♠ but I get all confused from there.

[wyman]

Play.

 

For instance, you cover the S8, and win the Q with the ace. Now keep throwing west in with high hearts. He can't profitably lead a minor. If he leads a diamond, you avoid a diamond loser. If he doesn't, you retain the DA to get back to the (eventually ruffed out) clubs. If he leads hearts, spades, or clubs, he just delays the inevitable.

 

EW get 2 hearts and a spade.

 

edit: whats interesting is you have to cut off east's hand. So you have to duck the ST or SK lead at T1

[OleBerg]

Play.

 

I cover the♠8 with the Jack. East will be kept of lead, an clubs set up.

 

If the ♠10 (Or king) is led, I duck, and again clubs will be set up without letting east on lead.

[kayin801]

Ah, okay, I missed covering the 8 with the J, thanks guys. I think my partner figured that out when I discussed it with him but I didn't quite get what he meant. I just thought it was a neat suit blocking/keeping off lead problem, as wyman said.

 

Two more questions on the hand though. The auction at the table:

 

(1♦)-2♣-(P)-2♥

(P)-2♠-(P)-4♥-AP

 

1♦ was a 2+ suit, playing 10-12 NT.

 

[hv=s=sk108haq8dk1086ck102]133|100|[/hv]

What do you lead vs. 4♥?

 

 

 

2nd question (refer to diagram in original post): Do you rate to make the right play at trick 1 against any spade lead single dummy (3/5 leads)? I think I'd fail against the K and 10 but succeed against the 8.

 

Better yet, if it starts ♠8, 3, ?, are you gonna find the play of the 9 as East?

[wyman]

At the table, probably I would not find the 9 as east, but upon reflection, the lead is either from 82 or from KT8, so the 9 is right.

 

As for what to lead, blech. I'd probably lead a club, but I'd feel bad about it. If I lead a spade, I lead the 8.