6 Spades

[Zloty]

[hv=pc=n&n=st62hak87d865c732&e=sj73hqt62d92cqjt5&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=2cp2dp2sp3sp6s]266|200[/hv]

 

Match Point

 

You are in East.

 

Your Partner West leads Q of ♦

South wins with A of ♦

South plays A of ♠, your partner discards 3 of ♥

South continues with 9 of ♠,your partner discards 7 of ♦,you win the trick with J of ♠.

Which card you should play now?

[HighLow21]

Did declarer sigh heavily with West's discard on the first round of spades? I bet he did. The hand is almost certainly cold otherwise.

 

Looks to me like S is 7-0-4-2 and will be next leading to dummy in spades to get to the AK♥. He could also be 7-0-3-3 and I'm misreading the meaning of the 7♦ discard.

 

(Why else would declarer throw you in with a spade if he has a dummy entry?)

 

I cannot see how leading anything but a heart would be a problem. But, my choice would be Q♣ to let partner know I control them, for the upcoming rain of spades. Partner clearly knows only he can control diamonds, and may be wondering which other side suit to keep guard on. (Then again, whatever I lead, this information should be available to both of us soon enough.)

 

My guess for declarer's hand:

 

♠AKQ9xxx ♥-- ♦AKxx ♣A9

 

It's just barely possible he holds something like K9 in clubs.

 

NB: If my analysis is correct, taking the J♠ was a wrong move. It could cost 2 tricks.

[Finch]

I agree that taking the SJ was a mistake. Partner has shown a 5 hearts.

If declarer has AKQ9xxx - AKx AKx he's off as long as you and partner both discard all your hearts.

[mr1303]

I think it's too late as well.

 

But since the question was what I switch to now, I select the Q of clubs.