I like the quote (Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary is a great cheer-up item along with http://www.despair.com e.g. “Teamwork” and “Consistency”) but I’d have bashed down the CA at T2, seen the 9, then led the C10. East presumably covers (although playing the 8 would probably convince me he had 8x or K8x) and I might or might not get the club position right. If not, West wins, clears hearts but I clear clubs and now am forced rather luckily to lead a D to the K unless East exits in spades.
It may not be the best line, but it does seem to be the easiest.
Regards,
Iain
Bobby WolffOctober 12th, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Hi Iain,
Not much to say or differentiate play on this close application of what would be best
declarer play. However, I do agree to your first play of the ace of clubs,but would likely follow that with only a small one, not the 10.
At least to me, exact percentages on card play need to take a slight backseat to the
psychology of the moment against average to average + opponents. And speaking of percentages, almost every hand should take on different numbers, depending on the exact card combinations, a melody almost impossible to usually determine during the heat and time constraints usually expected.
Finally, I also agree with your summation, but only with the caveat of afterwards to only let the ultimate winning side explain. The reason for it almost always
remains. those two will always want to take advantage of their winner’s glow, selfishly forcing the losers to have to endure it.
Iain ClimieOctober 12th, 2022 at 2:00 pm
Hi Bobby,
I’m only leading the C10 because the 9 popped up from LHO but suppose the C8 appeared on my left. There is a possible Grosvenor coup looming here – if East has CJ9x or even KJ9x and follows the the C9 if I lead the C10 from table. Now East MUST have C9x or CK9x so I rise with the CQ and wind up (as Samuel Taylor Coleridge said) “A sadder and a wiser man he rose the morrow morn”. A tantrum at the end of the hand is more likely even if purely internally.
Iain
Bobby WolffOctober 12th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Hi Iain,
No doubt in a normal game where players basically follow normal procedure and certainly cover a ten when holding only J9, but then, of course, you can finish my sentence, since in this situation, of course, becomes different with its emphasis. Anytime the number of playable cards, instead of the strength, becomes vital, a player, (almost always a declarer) have real choices to make.
In fact, at least IMO, a very good defender (and, again of course) will be likely to make the right play, if only out of respect for the declarer to ponder.
Finally, call him tough, call him expert, but never use the term inexperienced, simply because he always will be, and also “WITH IT”!
Bobby WolffOctober 12th, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Hi Iain,
And just a reminder to others, not to you, and especially to declarer, that his RHO in not now covering the 10 on the second club lead (from J98), will know or soon find out, that he, not declarer, possesses the all-important, but camouflaged eight.
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Hi Bobby,
I like the quote (Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary is a great cheer-up item along with http://www.despair.com e.g. “Teamwork” and “Consistency”) but I’d have bashed down the CA at T2, seen the 9, then led the C10. East presumably covers (although playing the 8 would probably convince me he had 8x or K8x) and I might or might not get the club position right. If not, West wins, clears hearts but I clear clubs and now am forced rather luckily to lead a D to the K unless East exits in spades.
It may not be the best line, but it does seem to be the easiest.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
Not much to say or differentiate play on this close application of what would be best
declarer play. However, I do agree to your first play of the ace of clubs,but would likely follow that with only a small one, not the 10.
At least to me, exact percentages on card play need to take a slight backseat to the
psychology of the moment against average to average + opponents. And speaking of percentages, almost every hand should take on different numbers, depending on the exact card combinations, a melody almost impossible to usually determine during the heat and time constraints usually expected.
Finally, I also agree with your summation, but only with the caveat of afterwards to only let the ultimate winning side explain. The reason for it almost always
remains. those two will always want to take advantage of their winner’s glow, selfishly forcing the losers to have to endure it.
Hi Bobby,
I’m only leading the C10 because the 9 popped up from LHO but suppose the C8 appeared on my left. There is a possible Grosvenor coup looming here – if East has CJ9x or even KJ9x and follows the the C9 if I lead the C10 from table. Now East MUST have C9x or CK9x so I rise with the CQ and wind up (as Samuel Taylor Coleridge said) “A sadder and a wiser man he rose the morrow morn”. A tantrum at the end of the hand is more likely even if purely internally.
Iain
Hi Iain,
No doubt in a normal game where players basically follow normal procedure and certainly cover a ten when holding only J9, but then, of course, you can finish my sentence, since in this situation, of course, becomes different with its emphasis. Anytime the number of playable cards, instead of the strength, becomes vital, a player, (almost always a declarer) have real choices to make.
In fact, at least IMO, a very good defender (and, again of course) will be likely to make the right play, if only out of respect for the declarer to ponder.
Finally, call him tough, call him expert, but never use the term inexperienced, simply because he always will be, and also “WITH IT”!
Hi Iain,
And just a reminder to others, not to you, and especially to declarer, that his RHO in not now covering the 10 on the second club lead (from J98), will know or soon find out, that he, not declarer, possesses the all-important, but camouflaged eight.