Both sides vulnerable. North deals. NORTH S: K 10 H: A J 10 8 7 5 4 2 D: Void C: Q 7 2 WEST EAST S: J 9 4 S: Q 8 5 3 H: 3 H: K Q 9 6 D: J 10 8 6 4 3 D: K Q 7 C: J 9 3 C: 10 5 SOUTH S: A 7 6 2 H: Void D: A 9 5 2 C: A K 8 6 4 The Bidding: NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST 1H Pass 2C Pass 2H Pass 2S Pass 3C Pass 3D Pass 3H Pass 3S Pass 4S Pass 5C Pass 6C Pass Pass Pass Opening Lead: 3H Before reading on, decide if you wish to declare or defend this contract. When this hand was actually played, North-South did well to reach the only playable slam. At trick one declarer called for the heart ten from dummy, covered by East and trumped low. A spade to the king provided an entry for the lead of the heart jack, covered by East and trumped low. This was the moment of truth. West rose to the occasion by refusing to over trump. Declarer found himself lacking the entries to enjoy the long hearts. On the other hand, if declarer wins the first heart with the ace and then ruffs a heart, West must refuse the over ruff to have any chance. Declarer continues with the ace of clubs followed by a club to the queen. Another heart is led from dummy and West should still refuse to over trump. Declarer leads a low diamond and trumps with North's last club. Another heart is led and East is allowed to hold this trick as declarer discards a losing diamond or spade. At this point declarer will win any return in hand, draw the last trump and enter dummy by way of the spade king to win the balance of tricks with long hearts. Conclusion: You should elect to play six clubs after a heart lead, but you should play it very carefully. ___________________________________________________________________