[Aberlour10]

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Contract: 3nt
Declarer : S
Opps passed all the time
Lead : from W 3♣

How would an expert think about general strategy on this hand and best possible lines of play?

Thanks for comments

Robert

[kenrexford]

Well, I suppose one would be immediately drawn into seeing the intrafinesse option for its beauty. But, then the practical side of the damned spade suit lets one down. However, with a primal instinct toward the exotic, the transportation problem in hearts because of the lack of sure entries to hand starts the thinking process up. Then again, the lack of quick losers, and the holding of stuff everywhere, even down to the nice heart 9, leads on into thinking that the opponents will have difficulty defending, themselves. However, the defense has the easy part first. Concentrate on clubs and get info. Unfortunately, we end up touching something early, and we end up pitching first if clubs are played out.

[CSGibson]

I'm not an expert, but here's what I'd do: think about our bidding. Did I mention that I have 4 hearts at any time? Did partner mention spades & diamonds? What information is available to opponents, and how does this affect their lead?

I'm probably inserting the J of clubs, and if it wins, playing on diamonds. Psychologically, I want LHO to know that there aren't quick tricks in clubs available if he's leading from Axxx, and try and get him to switch to hearts. Similarly, I do NOT cash the Q of hearts, as I don't want opps to know I have hearts locked up. I go from there, feeling my way around the table.

[xcurt]

I certainly would not be drawn immediately toward the intrafinesse. In isolation it's a very odds-against play, you need RHO to have stiff or doubleton ♦T (that's about 1 chance in 3), so I would much rather take a straight finesse if I had that choice. However, there is some difficulty cashing my 9 winners even if LHO has the ♠J, so winning in dummy and leading a diamond toward the jack seems like the best start if the clubs look like they are 4-3.

[Phil]

xcurt, on May 30 2009, 08:41 PM, said:

I certainly would not be drawn immediately toward the intrafinesse. In isolation it's a very odds-against play, you need RHO to have stiff or doubleton ♦T (that's about 1 chance in 3), so I would much rather take a straight finesse if I had that choice. However, there is some difficulty cashing my 9 winners even if LHO has the ♠J, so winning in dummy and leading a diamond toward the jack seems like the best start if the clubs look like they are 4-3.

Agree. We will need a little luck on this hand, and if LHO has ♠A we are probably toast anyway.