[han]

Usually slam lead problems are a little nerve-racking, but on this one it sure seemed like we were going to beat it.

The opponents bid:

p - p - p - 2D* (multi-like)
2H - 3S
3NT* - 4C
4D- (Dbl) - p*
4H* - 4NT
5C - 6S
all pass

The auction was a little unusual:

3S was gameforcing with spades, single suited. 3NT showed good support. 4C and 4D were cues. When 4D was doubled by partner, pass and 4H denied first round controls in diamonds, although LHO (my screenmate) said that conceivably partner had a void and wanted to hear whether he had the ace. 4H was last train, 4NT asked for keycards and 5C showed 1.

Your hand is:

x
KQ10xx
xxxx
Kxx

What would you lead?

[whereagles]

Heart K. If opps really lack the ♦A we'll and there's no void around, we'll get it sooner or later. Not so if a void is possible.

[Fluffy]

I think ♥K is normal, depends a bit on partner´s style of lead directing doubles.

[BunnyGo]

Heart King seems the obvious lead, and I don't see a reason to not go obvious on this hand.

[chasetb]

whereagles, on 2011-November-15, 09:45, said:

Heart K. If opps really lack the ♦A we'll and there's no void around, we'll get it sooner or later. Not so if a void is possible.

Fluffy, on 2011-November-15, 09:48, said:

I think ♥K is normal, depends a bit on partner´s style of lead directing doubles.

BunnyGo, on 2011-November-15, 10:31, said:

Heart King seems the obvious lead, and I don't see a reason to not go obvious on this hand.

Make it 4 for 4 on leading the K♥.

[mikeh]

I am sure that there is a construction on which the heart lead fails, while, say, a diamond lead succeeds but none sprang to mind in the 30 seconds I took to imagine one. Ok, I thought for another 10 seconds:

---

Whether that or a similar construction is possible I leave to those who know the opps' methods and style.

But I will pay to that, and to the cost of hearing partner ask me whether, had he passed 4♦ and later doubled hearts, I would have led a diamond.

[han]

How about this one:

---