Bridge in Oz

Bidding proceeds:



Opening lead: ♥K

Do you agree with the 3NT call, and does the scoring method matter for that?

As South would you win the first trick? I did. In that case 3NT can be beaten if East plays the ♥9 at trick one... otherwise the suit blocks when East later gets in with a spade trick and South ducks the 9. Would an expert East get this right even with standard signaling?

Discuss.

Seems to me East should get this right. He/she can count points and realize partner has no entry outside of hearts, and can visualise a layout such as the one at the table. There is little danger here in a misleading signal.

Maintaining this level of awareness is hard work. That's why defending well is difficult, at least for me!