[Fluffy]

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Partner leads ♠5 (third and fifth) and declarer will play the ♠8.

What now?

[gnasher]

Am I supposed to win the ace, in case declarer has x Kxx KQJxxx AJx?

[Free]

Winning with the Ace can work in 2 ways: either declarer has doubleton ♠ and will try to finesse the ♠, or he'll have singleton and won't try the ruffing finesse anymore.

I guess we can take with the Ace relatively safely and switch to a low ♣.

EDIT: I changed my mind, try to cash ♠AQ.

[andy_h]

I guess to cash two spades. If E-W have no extended methods over 1NT I will assume they have 4C gerber available. Based on that assumption West might have bid 4C with say x Kx KQJ-8th Kx and also West might not consider punting with that Ace-less hand too. So I guess I will play him for xx Kx KQJ-8th A. I have no experience in leading against these type of auctions, so if I was sitting in partner's chair I think I might've considered the Ace of clubs lead if I had it in case there are two clubs to cash.

[gnasher]

Free, on 2010-December-01, 04:08, said:

Winning with the Ace can work in 2 ways: either declarer has doubleton ♠ and will try to finesse the ♠, or he'll have singleton and won't try the ruffing finesse anymore.

I guess we can take with the Ace relatively safely and switch to a low ♣.

I think that understates the risk. If declarer does have a doubleton spade, you'll survive if he has only one side king, only six diamonds, and no 4-card side suit. You lose to hands like xx Kx KQJxxxx Ax and xx x KQJxxx AKxx.

This might be easier in real life, because we'd know more about the opponents, their methods and their style. Before partner led, I would have found out whether LHO could have transferred to diamonds, and whether he could have investigated controls. Knowing how good a player he is might help too.

[Fluffy]

opponents don't have many tools in their arsenal, the hand before they bid 1♠-2♠-3♥-pass with 28 combined HCP.

[dake50]

Agree andy-h. If partner feels they are trying to snooker us, he might opening lead CA. So I try for 2xS.

[Fluffy]

you can ask about gerber, but they will look puzzled at you, asking: what did you say?

[Free]

gnasher, on 2010-December-01, 05:47, said:

I think that understates the risk. If declarer does have a doubleton spade, you'll survive if he has only one side king, only six diamonds, and no 4-card side suit. You lose to hands like xx Kx KQJxxxx Ax and xx x KQJxxx AKxx.

This might be easier in real life, because we'd know more about the opponents, their methods and their style. Before partner led, I would have found out whether LHO could have transferred to diamonds, and whether he could have investigated controls. Knowing how good a player he is might help too.

You have a point there.

Btw I changed my mind, in my experience most of the time when people just blast to slam like this, they're prepared for any lead except 1. So lefty will probably have ♣AK and a ♥ void with ♠xx.

[Fluffy]

ok, you already pointed out most possible lay outs.

Declarer actually held

♠9
♥x
♦KQJxxxx
♣AJxx

I switched ♠9 & 8 cos I though it was impossible to make the winning play of ♠A as the cards actually lied.