I’m trying hard not to be a results merchant, but would it have been reasonable for South to lead low to the QC? Even if the black aces are reversed (and it seems West must have one or how else could he have raised to 2H?), West would have to come up with a diamond return to trouble South at all and staring at the AJ in dummy, would that really appeal? (In this line, West has shown up with the AC so the AS must be with East, probably along with the 8S).
As it is, East ducks, South takes the QC, plays the KD, and then leads a club to East and it seems the contract is safe. A diamond return allows two club discards removing the need for a club ruff.
It is hard for me to know if this line makes sense or if I am being influenced by seeing all four hands.
Bobby WolffFebruary 18th, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Hi Jeff,
Yes, your line of play makes sense and you are not being influenced by seeing all four hands. If you are at fault with anything it is only thinking that declarer was possibly at fault for leading the king of clubs, (sort of unblocking future rounds of that suit) instead of a small club. Keep in mind that plays like West ducking the ace of spades , from a doubleton ace after his partner had led one after winning trick one are almost never made, simply because it doesn’t appear to make sense, but without which, this hand would be sure to make.
A typical very advanced defensive play, which, at least to me, is almost impossible to even guess how that made a difference, making its presentation likely from a bridge column, not a real hand!
Verdict, I, not you, are guilty of gilding the lily, rather than hoping to entertain at our beloved and very unpredictable mind game.
Iain ClimieFebruary 18th, 2023 at 8:40 pm
Hi Bobby,
I’m very impressed by West’s duck here, and would also be impressed if he had SA108 and put in the 10 trying to look like he had that holding. Declarer can consider himself unlucky here I think.
Regards,
Iain
Bobby WolffFebruary 19th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Hi Iain,
To make a play, such as West ducking the ace of spades while only holding the doubleton A, when his partner had won the opening heart lead and switched to the 8 of spades, then defeating the hand only because of that and declarer falling for it, certainly must have been the play of a lifetime since it was so unnatural when holding only a doubleton.
Words cannot do that genius play enough kodos and beckons to all who understand it, “please allow me to take up that beautiful and wondrous game you guys and gals play”.
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I’m trying hard not to be a results merchant, but would it have been reasonable for South to lead low to the QC? Even if the black aces are reversed (and it seems West must have one or how else could he have raised to 2H?), West would have to come up with a diamond return to trouble South at all and staring at the AJ in dummy, would that really appeal? (In this line, West has shown up with the AC so the AS must be with East, probably along with the 8S).
As it is, East ducks, South takes the QC, plays the KD, and then leads a club to East and it seems the contract is safe. A diamond return allows two club discards removing the need for a club ruff.
It is hard for me to know if this line makes sense or if I am being influenced by seeing all four hands.
Hi Jeff,
Yes, your line of play makes sense and you are not being influenced by seeing all four hands. If you are at fault with anything it is only thinking that declarer was possibly at fault for leading the king of clubs, (sort of unblocking future rounds of that suit) instead of a small club. Keep in mind that plays like West ducking the ace of spades , from a doubleton ace after his partner had led one after winning trick one are almost never made, simply because it doesn’t appear to make sense, but without which, this hand would be sure to make.
A typical very advanced defensive play, which, at least to me, is almost impossible to even guess how that made a difference, making its presentation likely from a bridge column, not a real hand!
Verdict, I, not you, are guilty of gilding the lily, rather than hoping to entertain at our beloved and very unpredictable mind game.
Hi Bobby,
I’m very impressed by West’s duck here, and would also be impressed if he had SA108 and put in the 10 trying to look like he had that holding. Declarer can consider himself unlucky here I think.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
To make a play, such as West ducking the ace of spades while only holding the doubleton A, when his partner had won the opening heart lead and switched to the 8 of spades, then defeating the hand only because of that and declarer falling for it, certainly must have been the play of a lifetime since it was so unnatural when holding only a doubleton.
Words cannot do that genius play enough kodos and beckons to all who understand it, “please allow me to take up that beautiful and wondrous game you guys and gals play”.