Impeccably reasoned until “you know what” finds West not fancying a red suit lead from Q10x A9xx Jxxx xx when West takes the HA, clears the spades and . Less flippantly, is it better to sneak a low heart past West or brazenly lead the King or Queen?
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffMarch 8th, 2021 at 8:29 pm
Hi Iain,
Against good players, or at the least, seasoned ones, both will be normally aware of what the defensive responsibilities demand, so whatever the declarer tries, will likely be negated.
However, while playing against others, still unfamiliar with critical defensive moves, methinks the leading of a low heart toward dummy, while theoretically trying to slip one past the wrong defender still becomes the right
play if, West is the one with only three spades and got lucky, but still don’t expect West to not rise with the ace, assuming he or she holds that card.
Your question and thus worry about the right added quality (inducing defensive errors) is a good one and not to be underestimated, but on this specific hand does not play a large part in the right or wrong hand to lead from.
Besides it is awkward to go to dummy to first try and steal what may turn out to be the contract trick. Being at the table will usually allow the declarer to have a better idea of what to do but if not, it might be better for the partner of the declarer to look around for someone who would be better placed to add an extra spur to his bow.
Perhaps similar to picking the right mate, assuming picking the right bridge partner is just one step above, instead of the normal two steps, involved in selecting only life’s one.
However don’t worry for me, since Judy seldom
reads what I have to say
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Bridge-related
Hi Bobby,
Impeccably reasoned until “you know what” finds West not fancying a red suit lead from Q10x A9xx Jxxx xx when West takes the HA, clears the spades and . Less flippantly, is it better to sneak a low heart past West or brazenly lead the King or Queen?
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
Against good players, or at the least, seasoned ones, both will be normally aware of what the defensive responsibilities demand, so whatever the declarer tries, will likely be negated.
However, while playing against others, still unfamiliar with critical defensive moves, methinks the leading of a low heart toward dummy, while theoretically trying to slip one past the wrong defender still becomes the right
play if, West is the one with only three spades and got lucky, but still don’t expect West to not rise with the ace, assuming he or she holds that card.
Your question and thus worry about the right added quality (inducing defensive errors) is a good one and not to be underestimated, but on this specific hand does not play a large part in the right or wrong hand to lead from.
Besides it is awkward to go to dummy to first try and steal what may turn out to be the contract trick. Being at the table will usually allow the declarer to have a better idea of what to do but if not, it might be better for the partner of the declarer to look around for someone who would be better placed to add an extra spur to his bow.
Perhaps similar to picking the right mate, assuming picking the right bridge partner is just one step above, instead of the normal two steps, involved in selecting only life’s one.
However don’t worry for me, since Judy seldom
reads what I have to say