Plan Well... Declare Well (Suit Contracts)

Contract 4♠

Lead ♦Q

West leads the ♦Q against your 4♠ contract. After winning dummy's ♦A, how will you play?

Answer
First of all, here is the recommended auction:

On some hands, opener has no logical alternative to raising a 1-level response in a major with 3-card support. For those reluctant (or unwilling) to do so, always keep in mind that a 1-level response in a major will include 5+ cards in that suit 55% - 60% of the time.

With this North hand, some players would incorrectly prefer to rebid their 6-card suit. If North did rebid 2♥, since a 3♣ rebid by South would be game-forcing, with his weak hand and apparent misfit he should pass.

However, with his singleton and 3 aces, North should appreciate that he has a wonderful dummy for a spade contract. It also doesn't hurt that his 3-card support is rather robust.

When North raises spades, South knows that his side has a fit in a major, so with his GREAT SHAPE he will be delighted to jump to game.

On to the play. On this hand, counting losers would not be helpful. With only 5 obvious winners in high cards, you've got your work cut out for you. After winning dummy's ♦A, what is your plan?

Some players would crossruff. But it is too likely that sooner or later you will be overruffed.

You might consider setting up dummy's hearts. But since the ♦A was knocked out, you lack the outside entries needed to get back to dummy and eventually run the suit.

The correct line of play is to set up your club suit. In a suit contract, if declarer is unsure as to which side suit to set up, he should focus on the one in his hand.

What are the entries to your hand? Your trump! Lead a club to your ace and ruff a club. Now, cash the ♠A and ♠K and lead clubs. As long as spades split normally, you are home free. Even if spades were 4-1, you'd still be okay if clubs split 3-3.

On the actual layout, both black suits will divide in the expected way. So when the smoke clears, you will lose 2 clubs and 1 spade. Bidding and making 4♠ is an excellent result for your side.

Here is the entire deal: