I would note that declarer gave up a small and risk-free chance to make the contract by not cashing the two top diamonds before playing on hearts. (Switch the defenders’ 9 and J of diamonds)
If East holds the club 9, then the defense can never get more than 2 clubs. If declarer is convinced that East would not duck the first club IF East held the 9C, then declarer can also cash the third top diamond, hoping for a defender to hold Jxx.
bobbywolffSeptember 25th, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Hi Jim2,
Small doubt to your suggestion of declarer playing at least the AK of diamonds before trying to develop his ninth trick from hearts except what might happen if West rose with a high heart and led a third diamond, while holding only three small, with, and, of course, East having the other high heart.
That, together with the club suit (mainly the location of the nine, but also other combinations) might combine to allow your suggested diamond cash an unsafety play.
In truth, all the above was not necessarily considered, due to the column’s length, thought to be more overall instructive.
However, thanks for taking the time to add another proper discussion point, without it counting against our always maximum length responsibility..
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I would note that declarer gave up a small and risk-free chance to make the contract by not cashing the two top diamonds before playing on hearts. (Switch the defenders’ 9 and J of diamonds)
If East holds the club 9, then the defense can never get more than 2 clubs. If declarer is convinced that East would not duck the first club IF East held the 9C, then declarer can also cash the third top diamond, hoping for a defender to hold Jxx.
Hi Jim2,
Small doubt to your suggestion of declarer playing at least the AK of diamonds before trying to develop his ninth trick from hearts except what might happen if West rose with a high heart and led a third diamond, while holding only three small, with, and, of course, East having the other high heart.
That, together with the club suit (mainly the location of the nine, but also other combinations) might combine to allow your suggested diamond cash an unsafety play.
In truth, all the above was not necessarily considered, due to the column’s length, thought to be more overall instructive.
However, thanks for taking the time to add another proper discussion point, without it counting against our always maximum length responsibility..