Today’s hand, though reasonably simple, is an excellent example of trump management.
And, at least to me, that topic is somewhat similar to both dancing and to synchronized swimming in both melody and performance.
Matching the number of trump tricks (power or strength of card) and most important, the isolated ability to score at least one extra trick individually without having to use two of yours for one of theirs.
Often not difficult and just done casually, unless and until an unexpected adverse distribution causes careful handling.
Just another talent to be acquired, under the heading of trump management, but a necessary and frequently occurring declarer conundrum often, as here, to utilize.
And, of course, also for the defense, whose duty is always to find a way to prevent declarer, if possible, from doing so.
Iain ClimieJune 1st, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Hi Bobby,
IN Ron Klinger’s position, how would you have played the hand as North single dummy. The obvious concern is that playing for 2 club ruffs sets the defence up to find their diamond ruff unless diamonds are 2-2 so playing on trumps does seem much more sensible. Unfortunately the hoped for 3-2 trump break doesn’t arrive but diamonds are 2-2 all along. If North plays an early spade to the 10 (West ducking) then a club he should have few problems but life is always easier seeing all 52 cards!
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJune 1st, 2022 at 10:45 pm
Hi Iain,
Methinks the 4-1 trump split, plus decent defense precludes NS ending with a happy result
Of course declarer needs to now hope that the king of hearts is held by the defender who wins the trump ace (on the first or second lead) to have a shot of scoring this borderline game up.
But, no luck for declarer, since the real culprit was the unexpected 4-1 trump break, but I do not think anyone did anything wrong, since if trumps had divided in a percentage way, once there was not a singleton diamond lurking, (good chance for an even diamond break, once the first trump was not gobbled up), but alas, it still was not to be.
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Hi Everyone,
Today’s hand, though reasonably simple, is an excellent example of trump management.
And, at least to me, that topic is somewhat similar to both dancing and to synchronized swimming in both melody and performance.
Matching the number of trump tricks (power or strength of card) and most important, the isolated ability to score at least one extra trick individually without having to use two of yours for one of theirs.
Often not difficult and just done casually, unless and until an unexpected adverse distribution causes careful handling.
Just another talent to be acquired, under the heading of trump management, but a necessary and frequently occurring declarer conundrum often, as here, to utilize.
And, of course, also for the defense, whose duty is always to find a way to prevent declarer, if possible, from doing so.
Hi Bobby,
IN Ron Klinger’s position, how would you have played the hand as North single dummy. The obvious concern is that playing for 2 club ruffs sets the defence up to find their diamond ruff unless diamonds are 2-2 so playing on trumps does seem much more sensible. Unfortunately the hoped for 3-2 trump break doesn’t arrive but diamonds are 2-2 all along. If North plays an early spade to the 10 (West ducking) then a club he should have few problems but life is always easier seeing all 52 cards!
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
Methinks the 4-1 trump split, plus decent defense precludes NS ending with a happy result
Of course declarer needs to now hope that the king of hearts is held by the defender who wins the trump ace (on the first or second lead) to have a shot of scoring this borderline game up.
But, no luck for declarer, since the real culprit was the unexpected 4-1 trump break, but I do not think anyone did anything wrong, since if trumps had divided in a percentage way, once there was not a singleton diamond lurking, (good chance for an even diamond break, once the first trump was not gobbled up), but alas, it still was not to be.