The trump combination today is frequently mishandled. With plenty of entries a first round finesse makes sense despite the risk of Q alone offside as Qxxx onside is far more likely. Frequently weaker players bash down the SA first and then look aggrieved when LHO shows out on the second round.
Today, though, declarer’s count shows he has only the chance (assuming East isn’t a grandmaster of subterfuge) of a singleton Q. If East is that good, it looks like time to find an easier game. Suppose West removes the guess and leads a trump at T1 though. South wins and leads a club which West ducks and South plays the K. A small diamond off the table sees East jump in with the Ace and lead another trump. Although South has no black suit losers, isn’t he losing 3D and a heart now as long as east exits passively or is there a possible strip squeeze after declarer gives up a diamond? East has to find two discards and can afford the CQ but a heart will get him endplayed while a diamond allows declarer to cash the DK9. There’s more to the hand than I thought.
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffNovember 4th, 2022 at 10:39 pm
Hi Iain,
You’ve proven that you can be first teacher (discussing why a 1st round finesse in trump is correct) and then and against good defense, still scoring it up, pretty well symbolizes everything
important.
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Hi Bobby,
The trump combination today is frequently mishandled. With plenty of entries a first round finesse makes sense despite the risk of Q alone offside as Qxxx onside is far more likely. Frequently weaker players bash down the SA first and then look aggrieved when LHO shows out on the second round.
Today, though, declarer’s count shows he has only the chance (assuming East isn’t a grandmaster of subterfuge) of a singleton Q. If East is that good, it looks like time to find an easier game. Suppose West removes the guess and leads a trump at T1 though. South wins and leads a club which West ducks and South plays the K. A small diamond off the table sees East jump in with the Ace and lead another trump. Although South has no black suit losers, isn’t he losing 3D and a heart now as long as east exits passively or is there a possible strip squeeze after declarer gives up a diamond? East has to find two discards and can afford the CQ but a heart will get him endplayed while a diamond allows declarer to cash the DK9. There’s more to the hand than I thought.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
You’ve proven that you can be first teacher (discussing why a 1st round finesse in trump is correct) and then and against good defense, still scoring it up, pretty well symbolizes everything
important.
Every stone gets turned, so thank you!