The alternate line of play of playing SAJ at tricks 2 & 3 a) always works when S are 2-2, b) almost always works when an opponent has a singleton SQ or K, failing only when the given line of play also fails, and c) always works when an opponent has S singleton small, unless W has HKQ, but the given line also fails unless it is W who has the singleton S. So I disagree with your conclusion that the given line of play is better than my alternate.

Hi David,

Yes, I definitely agree to your analysis and thus your admonition.

In some ways and while at the table, the slightly superior line in spades of two finesses (usually wins when KQx or KQxx are onside as against specifically KQ doubleton offside) plus the sometimes complications of having enough entries to take two heart finesses (obviously necessary as a much better play than any alternative, taking care to lead a small heart from dummy first, catering to a singleton honor with East)

However David, you might sometimes forget or disregard the bridge humanics involved. Here was the final of the Venice Cup World Championships (womens, held last year in India) and two of the best women declarers in the world were on display, with this result directly determining the victor. Both took the same line, agreed inferior to the winning line, but by a paper thin margin.

No doubt, the American declarer still feels the pain of that result, so surely you understand some compassion being offered with my explanation. No doubt, even the French declarer (BTW, both ladies are superb human beings) will have more than some misgivings for not taking the better, and winning, line.

Again, yes, AOB is a bridge column, featuring reporting the results of our premier tournaments and, no doubt, credibility demands truth, but, in this case, perhaps slanted to the special circumstances.

However, thanks much for your eagle eye and your desire for accurate reporting.

I have to admit, my eye was drawn to leading the AD/QD at tricks 2-3 to dispose of the club loser as I couldn’t see a downside where it was going to cost an otherwise makeable contract. Is playing the spades from the top a better choice?

As this was the final hand, maybe more than anything it demonstrates the toll taken in the course of a tough match. The American declarer can perhaps take some consolation that in an earlier round, she may have found the better line – but the same is true for her worthy opponent.

Hi Jeff S,

The immediate club discard before the attempt to draw trump may adversely effect the ability to take two heart finesses, playing for both an even split in hearts and for the honors to be in different hands. No doubt, neither declarer expected the cruel club break, which essentially sank the ship.

Yes, David’s line appears to be slightly better, giving up the theoretical advantage of taking two spade finesses instead of playing for spades either 2-2 or a singleton honor falling.

However, in events of that magnitude it is doubtful that either declarer was too worn out to take one line or the other, but rather directed to putting too much emphasis on the advantage of taking two spade finesses rather than just banging them down.

Also both declarers were very experienced and use to the pressure, so it is also doubtful, IMO that entered their choices.

Given that the odds of a 6/1 split in clubs is less than 10% a priori, while the odds of both honors being banked 3/1 or 4/0 in righty’s hand are considerably higher, would have played the hands as both ladies did — which is no recommendation, since I believe they are better players than I. Also, playing the last hand of a long session, in which estimates of the position might well cause a player to swing by choosing the slightly anti-percentage play…. not to mention that players do sometimes get tired.

Bob

Hi Bob.

No doubt you speak the truth, or at least close to it. However there are sometimes confusing variables which, in order to be consistently accurate, would need to be directly programmed in.

It is a close proposition, likely closer than you allude, how to play nine combined trumps missing the K & Q. When you say the four outstanding trumps may be bunched 3/1 or 4/0, when they are in lefty’s hand (in the above example), you will benefit only if you consider that fact by itself.

Figuring bridge odds, while using correct percentage tables, requires fitting the solution to that specific hand, making it a very tricky business.

Add that to extraneous psychological factors, e.g how long it took the opening leader to choose his or her opening lead, and even how experienced he really is and/or did anyone hesitate during the bidding, believe it or not, enters the room, sometimes as big as an elephant!

Without explaining all the procedures, even assuming I was capable of doing so, might in itself bring on a variety of opinions among the world’s best.

Finally and of course, the state of the match in its late stages may play a part, but in truth that fact is perhaps overrated, particularly in today’s hand, since it was so close and likely all the players sitting at those tables knew it at the time.

The old saying (at least to me) is to let the “Winner Explain” which seemingly and for many years, has much logic behind it.

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