Win the HA & lead a S, hoping either to guess whether W has the A or the Q or that W will let you know, either by playing the A or by hesitating. You can now ruff a H, pitch the other H on SK & win C finesse. Seems simple to me.

Hi Dear Mr Wolff
I think declarer misplayed the hand when east ruffed diamond Q with club Q. Instead of overruffing, South can simply pitch his spade and he will make the contract irrespective of any defense
Regards
AVRR

Why provide a chance to EW to show their brilliance with the uppercut?
Regards

Sorry , my analysis is flawed. Please ignore. But perhaps after ruffing second heart , south should have played a diamond linstead of spade which would provide re entry to hand and would work fine today with the lay of the cards as east’s nine comes down when south plays club A
Regards

Hi David,

Yes, but the definition of simple to you, guessing the spade against experienced opponents and the likely short club hand holding the queen of clubs is likely an overbid to mere mortals.

No doubt, at least using simple bridge logic, the ace of spades figures to be with East since he opened a vulnerable weak 2 bid with a weak broken suit, although sitting 3rd seat, a position high-level players seem to agree requires partner to open something, but when vulnerable, perhaps only optional.

At least to me, not ordinarily conservative, but perhaps judged somewhat respectful, even at pairs, to the particulars, would intend to play East for the ace of spades and lead one at trick two. Whether West will either rise or give the location away we will never know (nor care), but in any event, if West ducks smoothly down I would go.

IOW David, I agree with you, and trust your use of the word simple as facetious, and intended as so.

Now, before others think to ask. Would you call a quick thinking declarer (and to be highly successful in this competitive bridge world one needs to be), would an instantaneous play of a spade at trick two, before the defense has settled in, be considered, at least slightly unethical, or would it not?

Perhaps the trick one option of East taking a legal beat or two before following suit at trick one might prevent South from practicing his prompt voodoo and allow West to duck the ace in non-telltale tempo. And whether or not this hand is made or not will depend on that guess, making declarer’s strategy the determining factor.

With this hand (and many like it) as a backdrop for what it takes, can anyone deny that in order to super achieve at our great game, one has to become aware of what needs to be guessed right and go to all legal extremes to try and make it happen, making that trait at least (and IMO), one step more important than impeccable technique.

Hi AVRR,

It is interesting and worthwhile to see your mind working, since your thoughts are the same ones which go through a declarer’s mind when confronted with choices of play.

And as you continue to prove, sometimes the first thoughts, while immediately appearing valid, turn out not to be. Therefore, and FWIW, I think more time should be legally allowed to players who have tough and complicated decisions, which, in the event of complaints by opponents, should be taken into account by responsible TDs and possible committees.

However to be chronically slow on relatively simple problems (not always able to differentiate, but still necessary to try) should cancel out that players privilege to interfere with the enjoyment of the game for others.

Like the warmth of good porridge, not too hot, not too cold, but only when necessary should an otherwise responsible player be allowed to use more time than his usual.

And to those who want to toss out all subjective reasoning, I say FIE, simply because our beautiful game requires it.

Hi Dear Mr Wolff
Thanks for the kind words but what actually happened was I underwent catarct surgey three days back ie on 23rd and as I was feeling slightly comfortable today, I coulld not resist the temptation of opening the column and obviously my thinking reflexes were not at rheir best. Perhaps I should have postponed . But anyway. once again thanks & regards

I think that Mr. Colchamiro took a reasonable line, but failed to combine chances. Had he won, cashed his high diamonds, and then tried a Spade towards dummy, he would have guarded himself against the actual hand. While he would still risk the hand when East held something like A QTxxxx Qxxx Qx, the line he chose seems more unlikely.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Combining chances does not, onto itself, always represent a higher percentage effort since it will depend on the likelihood of the whole layout.

Yes, we both agree that East, on the bidding (and vulnerability) is more likely to hold the ace of spades, and you are trying to find hands, where, with that location, will produce a make.

While that is an admiral enterprise, I am loathe to only tie my success to that fact, since this particular hand is just too complicated to proceed with that assumption since a 3-3 diamond break (in your diagram you meant East having the Jxxx in diamond rather than the Qxxx) very much needs to be considered.

After due consideration, I do agree with David as to what the best combination of plays needs to be, plus the tempo to be noticed, in order to bring home the make.

Remember, the result of this hand was made possible by the seven of trumps being promoted to become the setting trick, not an everyday occurrence.

Well, I played with the math until my head began to hurt and then quit.

Declarer took a line more-or-less presuming there was a trump loser. That is, if Ds were 3-3, there would be a S pitch and 2 H ruffs.

We know the QC is doubleton, and it is tough not to play to the AS or ruff 2 Hs, draw trump, and bridge is an easy game.

Thank you for all your kind remarks. My partners and I always write on the top of our card: “On defense, we always hesitate at trick one”. This gives both defenders the chance to plan all of the play, not just what to lead or play at trick one.

Hi David,

Even though it is unlikely that all players, especially relatively new ones, know about the rule or perhaps better said, process, of automatically hesitating at trick one as a 3rd seat defender, it is thoughtful of your partnerships to write it on your convention card (and, no doubt, if necessary, have the opening leader hand or point to your convention card for the declarer, if there is any doubt that he or she may understand).

Such behavior is all part of being Actively Ethical, a condition which helps both partnerships seek a normal tempo after, as well as being good role models to others who are just getting acquainted to their ethical responsibilities.

If more experienced players would embrace that educational behavior for others to follow in line (unless a partnership prefers to just always play at normal tempo at trick one), there would be fewer temptations for rascals to practice to deceive, too often with, but sometimes without their even knowing that they could be better behaved.

Thanks to you and your partners, as well as no doubt, others, who make it clear as to what will continue to make our game a fairer one, for all.

thanks a ton for such a nice comment.