Cliff’s confession:

I had to analyse this hand, after playing it badly at the table.

We played in 5H, after West opened 1NT and subsequently had bid up to 4S.

The SK was led and one needs to develop a plan. 

The lead of the SK suggests East has the SA, and hence West must have both minor suit aces (for his 1NT opening).

There are 2 possible plans for the play. 

(1) One could attempt to ruff 3 spades in hand. This requires trumps to be 2-2.

(2) One could attempt to set up the diamond suit. But this is unlikely to be successful, because West can prevent you getting back to hand with the CK.

Whichever plan one decides to follow, it is vital not to draw even 1 round of trumps, after ruffing the SK.

The best next step is probably to lead the DK. This keeps your options open, and will knock out one of the aces.

On the hand, West will win and can give East a ruff. But, not knowing that East can ruff, it is more likely that West will lead another spade or a trump.

If West leads a spade, you adopt plan 1. If West leads a trump, you adopt plan 2.

Following plan 1, you will enter dummy with a club, ruff a third spade, cash your last trump and try to enter dummy with another club. Even with trumps 2-2, you will be lucky to make the contract, but should only go 1 down. As it happens, with trumps 3-1 you are bound to go 1 down.

Following plan 2, you need to try to knock out the other ace, by leading a club, and continuing clubs if the CA is not played on the first round.

Now, you do have a good chance of making the contract, however West plays, and even with the actual distribution. Try out various West plays.