Claim - 5 tricks or 4?

[newbdonkey]

Hi,

[hv=pc=n&s=sa4h8dca54&w=skj2htdcj3&n=sqt7hkdac7&e=s8h9d7cqt9]399|300[/hv]

NT contract, North to play.

Computer thinks that N/S can claim 5 tricks. I can only see 4. I scratched my head, pondered for a while, but still cannot figure it out. Now, there is a remote possibility that the program could be wrong in this particular scenario.

 

Are 5 tricks possible if E/W put up their best defence?

Regards,

[manudude03]

Not exactly a claim, but you can play a spade to the ace and a spade towards the QT. You will end up with 2 spade tricks and 1 in each of the other suits (you have the ♥K as an entry to dummy)

[Vampyr]

Now, there is a remote possibility that the program could be wrong in this particular scenario.

 

Just by the way, if this is a possibility then you are using the wrong computer program.

[newbdonkey]

Not exactly a claim, but you can play a spade to the ace and a spade towards the QT. You will end up with 2 spade tricks and 1 in each of the other suits (you have the ♥K as an entry to dummy)

 

Thank you. This must be the best play, and as you have rightly pointed it out, this cannot be claimed as we do not know how the cards are lying between E/W.

[billw55]

Thank you. This must be the best play, and as you have rightly pointed it out, this cannot be claimed as we do not know how the cards are lying between E/W.

True, but once both opponents follow to the ♠A, there is nothing to be lost by trying it. At worst, you lose two spades, and make four tricks in total.