This one, from X-Clubs, is not just about bidding but also about opening leads and declarer play.
Board 4 from Tuesday 29/10/24
Dealer West All Vul
It is not a given that the bidding will start with three passes and 1H from South, as East may open 2S, which I believe some people call a “Tartan Two” but is also a 2S opening in our own “Evil Twos”. But let’s say it is South who opens fourth in hand, 1H playing basic Acol. North raises to 2H. What should South do? There are three options as I see it: Pass (the pessimist); 2NT (cautious but descriptive); or 3H (not telling anyone anything meaningful). If South does bid 2NT, should North now bid 4H? North knows that they have a combined 24 count and a 9 card trump fit, so 4H should be automatic also given North’s shape and controls. But the best laid plans ...
In one scenario, West avoided the disastrous low club lead that many chose, and led a low trump. That gave nothing away, though a diamond lead, terrible as it may be in theory, would have been even more effective. The problem now is for declarer to make the 4H contract that Deep Finesse says you can make. What is the best line? Declarer might try ace and another spade, which doesn’t work, or, with few entries to dummy, just have to concentrate on trying for three club tricks. What is the best play? I suggest the queen needs to be with West, so a club finesse. A low club to the ten is usually recommended, but I believe leading the jack in this case is better, because many defenders will fail to cover. Given that South starts with the jack and West does cover, followed by dummy’s king and East’s ace, East now switching to a spade, how should declarer next play the clubs? There are still four clubs out, so does it not seem obvious to finesse again, leading the eight and running it? Deep Finesse knows better: play them from the top and drop East’s nine! Unlike your author, who was roundly chastised for giving East a trick with the nine. I hate Deep Finesse!!!
A3
98643
92
KT75