If the D6 & 7 are switched, S cannot be stopped from making his contract. Either way, NS have done the right thing by bidding 5C.

HI Bobby,

While I accept West’s comment is accurate, its phrasing and timing may not be (unless this was the last board). A more sympathetic approach might be sensible or even saying nothing until the end plus an attempt to restore partner’s morale. It is a partnership game, after all, and one digging at the other wastes energy, distracts from the task in hand and reduces the pair’s likely performance.

I accept that 35 or more years ago I’d have been in with West’s approach and then some (plus a few choice words of abuse) but, in retrospect, I really don’t think it helped matters at all.

So if on partner sees a mistake that the other has missed, should he say anything at all or just say in advance that such concerns should be left to the end? As somebody once said, the odds against the same hand recurring in the session are billions to one against!

Regards,

Iain

If East does cover both times, a Spade can be ducked to West (fortunate spot cards). Declarer loses 2 Spades but no Diamonds.

HI Ted,

Can’t East jump in with the S10 (not that he will necessarily do so) and East-West then just keep playing spades? Also, dummy still seems to have a slow diamond loser even if west wins the first spade with the 9 and plays SAQ next?

Regards,

Iain

Hi Iain,

If South covers the 10, he can beat any spots from East. Hadn’t had my coffee yet, however, and forgot that South wouldn’t be able to pitch a Diamond on the Spade return (could West maybe return a Heart instead — pulled the wrong card, lost count, or something?).

Thanks for helping wake me up.

Hi David,

Now I know why my parrot, who always sat on my left shoulder, once told be that the seven of diamonds, being worth a full trick, should be gvien four points, the same as an ace, for its value in the Goren count.

It took me perhaps 70+ years to understand why, but once learned, never forgotten.

And for you to say, with or without that placement of the defensive seven and six of diamonds, you still condone the final contract of 5 clubs, contradicts your normal stern belief that the right contract is one that makes, although this one, thanks to East, still succeeded.

Hi Iain,

Your conversation recalled some old time memories during my so-called formative years when I became called-on to partner some very abusive, but highly talented partners (since I was still young, had a reasonably tough hide, but a strong will to improve).

Many jokes have been made such as, “When did you begin to learn to play, I know it was today, but what time, today” and/or “I don’t mind you betting on our opponents, but I would like to have at least part of the action”.

Thus I do understand your youthful temper to which in my state of birth, Texas, (no I was not hatched), a costly bridge mistake was merely referred to as “Justifiable Homicide” which was mostly thought much too lenient.

How about adding to your odds of “1 billion to 1” against the same situation recurring, instead uttering, “about the same odds of me ever partnering you again”?

However, you are no doubt correct, that one gets more flies with sugar, but the problem is:”who wants more flies?

Only kidding, or am I?

yes………

Hi Ted,

Bridge lends itself, especially when not as experienced as some of us old codgers, to, in addition to not enough coffee, various type errors since there are so many variables.

This malady also occurs during thought processes when playing, so in order to diminish them from quite often to only frequent, one must do some spot checks before playing at the table, or retorts later, especially when you are “surrounded by assassins” like on this site.

However, if you live, as I suggest you should, to see another day, your bridge quality quotient will markedly continue to rise.

Good luck!

HI Ted,

Don’t worry, I’ve posted far worse through impatience and/or not reading the article properly in the first place. Coffee (plus a quick extra check on the original analysis and then the post) can stop this as you say but my urge to hit that “Submit Comment” button regularly bites me in the back end.

Iain

Hi Iain,

Although I know nothing about why some diseases are contagious and others are not, we are both afflicted with that same urgent desire to hit that “Submit Comment” button immediately come Hell or high water and AFAIK we have never been closer to each other than perhaps 6000 miles or 9600 kilometers in our whole lives.