As Jim just demonstrated there is minimum 9 off the top--- so this must have been a matchpoint puzzle, and a really NASTY one. Hmmm more tomorrow....
We are in dire straits at matchpoints. Without the gadget opening bid, we would be DUMMY to pards notrump declaration, and an opening lead other than a heart (remember , the bidding would have started "pass --2C;2D--2H;" and onward!) either gives us an outright gift, or leaves our communication in better shape than it is now. Also, other tables will be in 6 Diamonds
(did I mean 6Clubs?), and MAYBE a couple in 5 of a minor (
) . Only the dealing gods can save us from the slam bidders, and it probably takes ALL FOUR chances going wrong to make 6
D(C) fail, but we don't want to loose to those few +620, so cashing out our top nine is not an option.
I am taking the deep spade hook trick two, and ducking a heart as soon as possible after, in the hopes that neither minor splits plus the spade KING is wrong. that would be 6 majors + 5 minors for us,
and if CLUBS fall down then +690, in which sadly either minor slam probably comes home. (Tell me it WAS matchpoints, please!) regards.