20th December 2017
 S  AJ94
 H  J98
 D  62
 C  K762

Another deal from the Ben Franks pairs event.
What do you lead after the following auction?
Game All Dealer North

South
 West
 North
 East


1D Pass
1NT
 Pass
 3NT Pass
Pass
 Pass






A club is likely to be into South's length and maybe strength and North often holds long and strong diamonds in this auction.  So it looks like a choice between the majors.  The spade holding is very unattractive to lead from so West led the nine of hearts, conventially from J98 or Q98 if not a short suit lead.

The full deal was as below.

DealerNorth
 S
 KQ
    
Game All
 H
 AQ
    
    D KQJ1074
    
    C J53
    
S
 AJ94
     S
 10875
H
 J98
     H
 K10764
D
 62
     D
 A85
C
 K762
     C
 9
    S
 632
    
    H
 532
    
    D
 93
    
    C
 AQ1084
    




South finessed the heart queen which lost and East returned his original fourth highest heart.  West carefully unblocked the heart jack.  Now South tried the club finesse and the defence took four hearts, one club, one diamond and one spade trick for three down and a complete top.