Prospects look poor. Declarer clearly has 5 club and 3 diamond tricks. Partner's inability to ask for a Spade suggests declarer also has AK of Spades (partner would signal for spades with a King over the Queen in dummy in case you have J10). So that's 10 tricks. If declarer has AK of Hearts as well it's game over. So you try the seven of Hearts and partner, after a lot of thought plays the ten. Declarer wins with the Jack and cashes the Ace of Hearts and 12 tricks for 100% top. (Press Show All Hands to see)

Partner's view was that the seven didn't bode well for holding an honour and if declarer held AQJ then playing the King gifted 3 tricks easily. It's easy to debate that point and say well if declarer has AQ then twelve tricks are there anyway. So play the King in case. It's also true that a passive (non-heart) lead would carry no risk.

But Hugh Kelsey would argue that you have an opportunity, and a duty, to help partner in these situations. You know that if partner doesn't have the Ace or King of Hearts it's all over. But partner doesn't know that. They might think you hold King of Spades for example. Or even a club stop. Help them out. If your analysis is so correct there is no harm in leading the Queen of Hearts yourself. Then partner can't go wrong.

To Love and To Cherish.

Generally it is better to pass as you will get another chance to bid. However if Non Vul against Vul opponents, it may be better to bid 3♣ in case a sacrifice potential exists over 4♥ . So here you pass and West converts to 2♥ passed back round to South. This situation is very good for a re-opening double as you are Non-Vul and weak in Hearts. If you do nothing opponents make +110 or 140 thanks very much. However you would have a challenge if partner bids 3♦. The Sim Pairs booklet still suggests doubling, as better to explore a spade fit potential, I think in this situation you must guarantee min. four spades so partner can risk bidding 2♠ with a three card suit rather than go to 3 level. A good tip is now that West can redouble to show precisely three card heart support, discuss this with your partner first! This allows East to judge whether to bid further if needed. Now you get some competitive bidding. North could now cue-bid 3♥ suggesting opening bid values and a willingness to at least play in 3♠. If West bids 4♥ it will probably push South to 4♠ but with a min. 20 points between them, East may think it's a good push especially having lost out on what seems certain would have been a plus part-score in Hearts (knowing partner has three card support). As it happens 4♠ is cold and then EW need 5♥ sacrifice to get a better result, 2 off doubled for 300. Only one pair on the night got to 4♠ for a great top.

The key to this hand is counting tricks and points.

You can be sure partner has not got the Ace of Hearts from the 1st trick. And, unless he is a maniac, declarer has the Queen of Spades also. Indeed in Spades, partner's 4 probably indicates three cards in the suit (check if declarer would open 1NT with 5 spades just to be sure). So that means declarer started with 3 spades, the Queen, the (played) 9 and one other, presumably either 10 or Jack. With Q109 he would be more likely to lead towards the King so a good chance he has QJ9.

Now why is he developing Spades? In addition to 3 heart tricks, he is creating 1 or probably 2 more spade tricks.It suggests he must have 4 or 5 immediately cash-able tricks in a minor to mess around in your suit. Well it can't be clubs as you have the queen as cover. It must be diamonds.

You can now count 11 of declarer's points, if declarer has Ace of Hearts, Queen, Jack of Spades and the Ace of Diamonds. He can't have the Ace of Clubs and, if he has the King, he can't have the Jack too (although then 3NT is unbeatable).

So lead a Club and I would advocate laying down the Queen. The danger is if you lead a low club and partner wins with the Ace they may think you want a spade back. Remove all doubt.

At the table partner actually played the Ace of Spades and another Heart. Declarer ran 9 tricks for a top, when the Ace of Spades could have been followed by 4 club tricks, as partner had the Ace, King to 4 clubs. Oh well!

5 Diamonds may make if opponents are not awake, almost by playing naturally at the table. Let's assume it's played by West (it makes little difference).

Assuming a club lead, declarer will ruff and take out the outstanding 2 trumps in one round. On leading a spade towards dummy, most North players will split the King and Queen (again it doesn't matter much) so assume declarer ducks this. North wins, but has to lead a spade back as to lead Hearts or Clubs will concede the contract. Declarer can finesse the Jack of Spades and (even though a free finesse of the 8 is available), cash Ace of Spades and trump the final spade. Then lead a heart towards the King which wins (North has to have the Ace on the bidding). Now, unless South discards their Jack of Hearts on this trick, not easy, when dummy plays another low heart, South plays the Jack and West can play low (not impossible if West has been counting South's cards). There is no point Declarer playing the Queen of Hearts (you know North has the Ace). With nothing but clubs left, South is forced to concede a ruff and discard for EW to make game and +500.

So if this happens 6 Clubs doubled minus 1 may be good after all. It's one danger of bidding pre-emptively, opponents get a very good count of the hand.