A diamond bid could make a difference.
Bridge Column for November 28, 2003, Harvey Bernstein
Neither side vulnerable.  South deals.
                              North
                              S: A K 8 4          
                              H: A           
                              D: A 10        
                              C: A Q J 6 4 3 
            West                             East
            S: Q 9 7 3                       S: Void         
            H: Q J 6 4                       H: 9 8 5 2    
            D: 9 4                           D: K Q 8 7 6 5 3     
            C: K 7 2                         C: 8 5         
                              South                         
                              S: J 10 6 5 2
                              H: K 10 7 3   
                              D: J 2       
                              C: 10 9     
          The Bidding:  
                  South    West    North    East                  
                   Pass    Pass     2C      Pass
                   2D      Pass     3C      Pass
                   3S      Pass     6S      Pass
                   Pass    Pass
     This hand was dealt during a rubber bridge game.  Two clubs
was artificial and strong.  Two diamonds was a "waiting" bid and
had nothing to do with the diamond suit.  Three clubs was natural
and the three spade response promised a hand with at least four
spades and at least four points.  After North jumped to the spade
slam, West placed the four of hearts on the table.
     The play went quickly.  Declarer won the ace of hearts and
cashed the ace of spades.  East discarded the eight of diamonds. 
Declarer continued with a small spade to the jack.  If West
declined this trick, declarer would be in hand to cash the heart
king and take the club finesse.  
     West played the queen of spades, winning the trick, and got
off lead with a diamond.  Declarer won the ace; led a spade to
the ten; cashed the king of hearts, and led the ten of clubs. 
West played low and declarer held his breath and called for a low
club from dummy.  The nine of clubs came next, overtaken by the
jack.  The ace of spades drew the last outstanding trump and the
ace of clubs cleared that suit.  Declarer wound up taking three
spades, two hearts, a diamond, and six clubs for an excellent
result.
     In the discussion that followed, East said that he should
have bid two diamonds over the two club opening bid so that West
would know what to lead if he became the opening leader.  This is
a good point.  When you have a holding like this you should try
to let your partner know as early as you can.  It may have the
additional effect of keeping your opponents out of their slam.
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Bernstein is a free-lance writer in Solon.