Toronto 7/24

4S (don't ask)

QT62 J5 KJ5 AJ74
AKJ54 K63 64 962

LHO starts by leading a heart to RHO's ace. The HQ is continued, I win and cash a top trump. I lead a diamond up, LHO puts in the queen! RHO wins the A and returns another diamond, LHO following.

At this point I have

QT6 -- 5 AJ74
KJ54 6 -- 962

I have to hold my club losers to one. I can either play for the CKQ onside, which is extremely unlikely given the lead. The only other way I can see to make this is to find spades 2-2, ruff out the red suits, cash CA, and endplay the opponent who started with Hx of clubs.

To make this harder on them, I started by cashing the CA immediately. I just saw LHO go in the Q from Q-nothing in the diamond suit! I don't want her to inadvertently do the right thing in clubs. Spades break 2-2, I ruff out the red suits, and exit a club, hoping, praying. LHO now cashes the CKQ.

Sigh.