Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Wednesday, January 18th, 2023


4 Comments

Iain ClimieFebruary 1st, 2023 at 10:35 am

Hi Bobby,

South’s bidding is perhaps more rustic than uncouth here – doesn’t it suggest 3-3-3-4 as with 3-3-4-3 he might have an inverted raise available (ok, not when the hand was set) or have improvised with 2C in case slam in D was a possibility? So North with (say) a 16 count and 1-2-5-5 can sensibly make a slam try.

Perhaps worth adding that West should ditch the DQ from Qx if South starts with the DA although DAJ alone with South can be discounted in that case as South would have finessed the DJ at T2. If South is a weak player and starts with DA from that holding though, the infamous Grosvenor coup has struck and West will need mental strength not to blow the next few hands even though only the odd overtrick is involved.

Regards,

Iain

Bobby WolffFebruary 1st, 2023 at 3:15 pm

Hi Iain,

Thanks for taking charge and mentioning what needs to be, exclusive of the help given by the specific column rhetoric.

However, a possible and perhaps sensible addition, which may or may not lead to
a discussion of table ethics, would be declarer immediately upon seeing the dummy and winning the first heart in dummy, leading a low diamond, hoping to see the seven from East, but if not, quickly winning the ace, of course, trying to seek advantage by seeing all 26 cards for his side and, of course, probably giving himself an advantage by causing the defense to not defending correctly (East and/or not playing the seven if he held it and/or West not
false carding the queen, since he does.

Do I think that side action is unethical?
Not really, only fast witted, an attribute widely held by top bridge players, with the pace of the play available to all three active players to govern as they please, as long as they have their own choices to ponder.

Yes, the above comment by me is home brewed, but what I think, which, in turn, certainly should allow others, to voice theirs.

Iain ClimieFebruary 1st, 2023 at 3:25 pm

HI Bobby,

Thanks for that and I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if South dropped the S8 at T1 especially if he held K82 rather than K87. It can’t cost to try…

Regards,

Iain

Bobby WolffFebruary 1st, 2023 at 3:52 pm

Hi Iain,

Right on, if only to allow his opponents grist for getting their minds off the critical immediate defense to follow.