Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022


8 Comments

Bobby WolffSeptember 6th, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Hi Everyone,

Yes, I do think East Should switch to a diamond at trick two, merely because of “feel”.
That often felt emotion (particularly present with experienced good players) should cause declarer to have a singleton heart, at least 6 card length in trumps, and eventually likely to use clubs to throw losing diamonds (instead of verse visa). In other words, counting, but also the logical type holding to expect.

Adds up to success rather than that ultra sad feeling of what might have been.

Iain ClimieSeptember 6th, 2022 at 2:38 pm

Hi Bobby,

The day you switch to a diamond, though, declarer has K10x if you play the Queen or K109 if you try a small one hoping he has DK108, coupled with weaker clubs e.g. 10xx. East is maybe worried that West has only 3 hearts but then is declarer’s 2nd heart getting discarded quickly? Probably not, so that does point to the D.

Alternatively, West could have cunningly led the HQ for a look, got a length signal and found the D switch. Always easy seeing all the cards.

Regards,

Iain

Bobby WolffSeptember 6th, 2022 at 3:15 pm

Hi Iain,

You are not only right, but also directly on target. However and if so, I would hope someone could do a “background check” on how those cards were dealt. The nerve of them plotting to do a regular chump like me in (although I only work here), by spoiling my advice.

And yes, it did used to be relatively easy seeing all the cards and even at my age I still can. However it is the spots on them that is now difficult to detect.

Iain Martin ClimieSeptember 6th, 2022 at 3:53 pm

Hi Bobby,

Can I ask another question from a friend in the UK. What is the best way to reach 6H (or 6C) with the following, North as dealer and playing 4 card majors, probably not 2/1?

N: x KQxxx Qxx KJxx

S: J9x Axx AKJ AQ10x

Thanks in advance.

Iain

Bobby WolffSeptember 6th, 2022 at 5:22 pm

Hi Iain,

My suggested sequence: N. S.
1 heart 2 clubs
3 clubs 3 hearts
4 hearts 5 diamonds
6 clubs (because of the singleton spade) then P by S.
since N did not cue bid spades) but perhaps 6 hearts at MPs.

Bobby WolffSeptember 6th, 2022 at 5:23 pm

Hi again Iain,

I meant perhaps 6H at MPs certainly not Imps. Sorry!

Bobby WolffSeptember 6th, 2022 at 5:27 pm

Hi still again,

Right the first time. Should leave well enough alone.

Iain ClimieSeptember 7th, 2022 at 8:18 am

Hi Bobby,

Many thanks for that.

Iain