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S AK64 W N E S H T763 D K64 - - - P(a) C KQ P(b) 1D(c) P(d) 1NT(e) P P(f) P S QT853 S 72 H 852 H AKQ D AJ95 D QT32 C 7 C T862 opening lead: S3(g) S J9 obvious switch: clubs(h) H J94 D 87 expert says: A plus score for N-S C AJ9543 will be a good matchpoint result.(a) [7 pts., 9 losers] P = The prudent move.
(b) [8 pts., 8 losers] P = The only possible bid, for now.
(c) [14 pts., 6 losers] 1D = At least 3 diamonds.
(d) [11 pts., 7 losers] P = No safe bid.
(e) 1NT = The thinking bid. Unwilling to bid 1H without one of the top honors, and with two major suit jacks uncounted, the hand is very nearly worth the 8 point minimum that this bid promises.
(f) P = One hates to let the opponents play 1NT. If only the balancing double showed shortness in clubs, because responder usually has clubs for the 1NT response, then we might even get to play it in 2D! (However, the Retropoet estimates only 7 tricks at diamonds, which, come to think of it, is better than letting N-S make 8 tricks at notrumps.)
(g) S3 = Fifth best lead (use rule of 10).
(h) East plays the low spade under declarer's high one, encouraging spades, and denying the club ace. Clubs are the obvious switch by virtue of that being the shortest suit in dummy at notrumps, and declarer did not bid them (even though we all know declarer probably has clubs by virtue of the 1NT bid). I think I would rather declare 2D.
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