#5 North South Vulnerable

West    North  East     South
1♥          1♠         Pass     4♠
AP

East leads the ♥8.
What is West’s plan?
 
                         North (Declarer)
                        ♠
                        ♥
                        ♦
                        ♣
West                                        East
♠ 5 2                                          ♠
♥ K 8 7 6 3 2                            ♥ 8   
♦ A K 9                                     ♦  
♣ A 5                                        ♣     
                       South (Dummy)
                       ♠ A K 4 3
                       ♥ Q
                       ♦ Q J 10 3 2
                       ♣ Q J 10

As West, decide what partner is leading from to determine what declarer has in the suit.  The lead is likely top of a doubleton.  With 9 x x (x) in an unsupported suit, partner leads low.  If partner has a doubleton, then declarer has the AJ10x.  If you cover, declarer will be able to discard two clubs on the ♥J10.  If partner has the ♣K, your cover costs a club trick and the setting trick.  Rule: When partner shows no honor cards, dummy has a singleton honor, and you have a higher honor than dummy, cover ONLY IF you can promote a second or third round trick for yourself.  With no cover on this hand, the defense takes two diamonds and two clubs for down 1!

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