too many finesses....

[manudude03]

I hesitate to post this problem in anticipation of a lot of "what happens now?" posts, but here goes..

 

[hv=pc=n&s=saq97hktdk864cq83&n=sj6haj97dj732caj7&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=1n(12-14)p2cp2sp3nppp]266|200[/hv]

 

MPs scoring, opponents lead 4th best (2nd from xxx or longer) you get the ♥3 lead which goes to the 7 and 8 (if you want to play higher, the J or 9 will hold).

 

Plan the play.

[SteveMoe]

Win ♥K and play small ♠ toward J. If that holds, low ♦ toward K. Many many branches possible but preserve the ♥ finesse at trick 1, ♠10 finesse later, and plan to take ♣ finesse if they don't break the suit for us.

[gszes]

leading against the known 4 card heart suit in dummy with no spots seems

hugely speculative so I am not going to take for granted the opening lead

is from strength and may be trying to hit partner. I am going to win the TEN

at trick 1 and try a spade toward the J at trick 2. If that holds I will

lead a low dia toward the 8 and will duck the 9 or T but cover the Q. The

only real disaster in this hand is possibly losing 4 dia tricks when lho

has the stiff ace. I can always lead another dia toward my K the 2nd round

of the suit with less risk.

 

3h 2s 2c attacking dia for 2 more tricks seems to be the best bet (no matter if

the spade J holds trick 2 or not since 3 spade tricks are nice but not necessary).

[whereagles]

Seems like one of those tricky 3NTs where it's impossible to say what line of play is "best", so I'll just play from feeling.

1. Put the heart 9, to tempt RHO into covering with the Q, and pay attention to his reaction/tempo.

2. Assuming he plays smoothly to the 9, I'll place LHO with 4 (maybe 5) hearts to the queen.

3. Heart 10, K. This should inhibit opps from playing hearts.

4. Spade to the jack. If it holds, spade back to the ace and small. If loses, a spade should come back and I'll try the 9 now.

How did I do?