[Phil]

You reach a quick 3N on:

Scoring: IMP

1C - 1D - 2C - 3N

Lead: 9S: 0/2 higher

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Your plan?

[wclass___]

How is this in interesting bridge hands?

It is clear to me that if you play ♠J at trick one you are increasing your chances to make (comparing to playing low) if LHO has QT9+, but decreasing if RHO has QT+.

Further assessments have purely theoretical importance.

Anyway, some thoughts.

1)If LHO has QT9+

1.1) If you establish ♣ for 5 tricks - i think it doesn't matter what you play. You are cold in both cases.
1.2) If you don't establish ♣ for 5 tricks
1.2.1) If RHO has KJx+
1.2.1.1) You played low
1.2.1.1.1)If LHO has QT9x and a ♥ trick, opps can keep playing ♠ to get 2♣+2♥+1♠. (If RHO has either A or Q he can count tricks and if declarer has A or Q he can get entry for finesse anyway. If he has nothing in ♥, he will probably start with ♦ and then after winning ♣K switch to ♠ hoping pard has AQ?!)
1.2.1.1.2.) If LHO has QT9xx, then ...??
1.2.1.2) You played J
1.2.1.2.1) If LHO has QT9x. Now you have an entry and as you lose 4th trick to ♣J , win ♠ return in dummy, play another ♣, and win in hand ♠ return. Now you have a ♥ guess. Although i am not sure, maybe then can get you down by trying to get extra ♥ tricks.


Sorry, i got bored.. it would take a lot of time to finish.

[bid_em_up]

Somehow, I don't think the play problem really involves the spade suit on this hand (other than possibly entry considerations).