[mikl_plkcc]

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I made an adventurous move to bid a slam, while most of the field settled in 3NT.

Upon dummy came down, my only concern was to avoid losing 2 tricks in ♦. There were plenty of entries available.

I first tried finessing the ♦Q, if it worked, then it would make, it failed.

Then the only way I could think of making the contract was to finesse against the ♦K, and discard a ♦ loser with the ♥Q. The finesse was possible both ways - either by leading a low ♥ to the Q, or the other way round, play the ♥A first then the Q, if the K didn't came out, discard the loser.

I presumed that the points were split evenly (otherwise one side would likely have entered the bidding), but it was not the case, and I failed the contract. What did I do wrong?

[smerriman]

Playing the ♥A first then the Q will never work, because if West holds the king, they will simply cover and you haven't gained a trick. Your only hope is East holding the king, and finessing that way.

[apollo1201]

You start with low D to Q. If it holds, good. It does not, try the H finesse. If it loses you have not lost an extra trick because the HA will take care of a losing D.

At least you combined your chances, around 75% instead of just 50%.

[johnu]

mikl_plkcc, on 2025-March-19, 16:29, said:

The finesse was possible both ways - either by leading a low ♥ to the Q, or the other way round, play the ♥A first then the Q, if the K didn't came out, discard the loser.

How is playing the ♥A, then the ♥Q a finesse? You don't have ♥AQJ.