When would you lead an ace against an unrevealing notrump auction?

West wisely led the ace of hearts, and a look at dummy (and his partner’s discouraging two) told him to switch suits. Remembering that declarer opened 1 ♠, and looking at dummy’s strong diamonds, it was clear to switch to clubs.

At Trick Two West switched to the three of clubs (key play). East won the ace, declarer following with the jack, and helpfully returned the ten of the suit. Placing, as it did, the nine also with East, West knew to unblock his queen under declarer’s king.

Declarer forlornly led a second heart, in the vain hope that the defence would go astray - not that it seemed likely after such an alert start. It was not to be. West rose with the king, and led his third club. East could win with the nine, and table his two long clubs. Down two.

Look and see what would have happened had West found the wooden fourth highest heart opening lead. Declarer wins in hand, and has time to try spades, leading towards dummy’s jack (key play). Say the jack scores. Declarer returns to the ace-king, gives West his queen, but is in a position to score his long spade which, together with the three spade honours, the four diamond winners, and the heart on the lead, gives him (at least) his nine-trick contract.