[sceptic]

Dummy lays down and here are some of his cards

Spades Ax
Hearts xxx
Clubs KQ1098

Here are your cards

Spades Kxxxx
Hearts Axx
Clubs Axxx

scenario 1 = opps arrive at 3NT with out mentioning spades

scenario 2 = opps arrive at 3NT and declarer has opened 1 spade

scenario 3 = opps arrive at 3NT and declarer has bid spades but not opened them

we are silent through out

also as an aside. is the merrimac coup something an intermediate player should be using or learning, it does not look like a very advanced play (though I am happy to be shot down in flames if you disagree)

(please note my example may not be perfect, but I am trying to understand the merrimac coup, I have made up some cards to see if my understanding is ok)

Partner leads the Q of hearts I over take and then I fire back the K (unsupported honour) to knock out the dummies entry.

the questions I have are

1/. What considerations do I have to take into account when opps do not bid the suit (with the single entryin spades)

2/. What considerations do I have to take into account when opps have either opened a spade or bid a spade in the auction

In the example hand, how do my other hounours help decide this is a merrimac coup (i.e. is the club stopper a major influencing factor to return the K of spades rather than returning partners hearts)

or have I completely missed read the situation?