Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Saturday, April 10th, 2021


5 Comments

A V Ramana RaoApril 24th, 2021 at 11:20 am

Hi Dear Mr Wolff
Assuming that West opened a five card major, perhaps the contract is always a cinch . Clearly, West must have discarded a heart on last club. Now south can amuse himself by leading J of hearts and get two diamond tricks as west, after cashing hearts must lead a diamond. West gets three hearts and a club
Regards

bobbywolffApril 24th, 2021 at 2:20 pm

Hi AVRR,

Yes, thank you for disclosing a winning choice in either red suit for declarer.

In my view, at trick nine declarer, South, could even playfully ask West, which red suit would (if he’ll excuse the expression) prefer to be end played with.

West, unless he is humorless, could counter with certainly hearts which show love and concern rather than diamonds which only indicate coin of the realm.

Or possibly even better than that, West, of course if he is sure of the declarer’s ability, could at that same trick, merely fold his cards and concede, before declarer plays.

However, my experience has indicated that this type of respect is only prevalent at the top levels of our game, but, of course, there is certainly good reason for that.

Always thanks for your keen analysis.

gary olesonApril 24th, 2021 at 10:29 pm

assume board-a-match scoring, would that convince you to take the club finesse through west?

Iain ClimieApril 25th, 2021 at 8:45 am

HI AVRR, Bobby,

Isn’t there a slight danger that West has 6H and a singleton DK? A D to the Ace and a D to the Q is now safe but chucking West in with a H will make declarer’s face the colour of that suit.

Regards,

Iain

bobbywolffApril 25th, 2021 at 3:04 pm

Hi Iain & AVRR,

Yes, unless West decided to open 1 heart with only four of them. Could he have had: s. xxx,
h. AQ10x, d. KJx, c. Qxx? Not likely, but perhaps so rather than choosing to open 1 heart instead of a weak two bid with: s. xxx, h. AQ10xxx, d. K, c. Qxx.

However, your point is well taken but as long as declarer went as far as you and AVRR in reconstruction, the final decision becomes moot, as far as guessing the chances above.

Thanks for your effort and of course, thought provoking contribution.