Leading a small diamond risks declarer winning some mind game and gloating thereafter.
Iain ClimieMarch 20th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Hi Bobby, Jim2,
The contract seems slightly worse than 2 out of 3 finesses (50%) as spades may break 5-1 but still not too bad. Cashing the HA at T2 is probably a bad idea as that will almost certainly get a heart back when East wins even if only to take out an entry for a possible squeeze – South might have weaker hearts e.g. West holding HQJ alone. I suspect I’d have fallen for it as South (from East’s viewpoint) might have (say) DAQxx when a diamond away from Kxx(x) or K(10)xx could easily cost.
Regards,
Iain
bobby WolffMarch 20th, 2023 at 8:20 pm
Hi Jim2 & Iain,
While this hand may create real interest, both to declaring and defending, Jim2 has found the defense to require declarer to make only an intelligent guess as to the right red suit defense tp pursue.
His defense forbids he hird club being cashed before the critical red suit finesse is attempted or the queen of hearts is downed. The expression goes something like, “that is all a mule can do” but please no offense since the mule doing it has an
extremely high bridge IQ.
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Bridge-related
As East, I would return a small club.
Leading a small diamond risks declarer winning some mind game and gloating thereafter.
Hi Bobby, Jim2,
The contract seems slightly worse than 2 out of 3 finesses (50%) as spades may break 5-1 but still not too bad. Cashing the HA at T2 is probably a bad idea as that will almost certainly get a heart back when East wins even if only to take out an entry for a possible squeeze – South might have weaker hearts e.g. West holding HQJ alone. I suspect I’d have fallen for it as South (from East’s viewpoint) might have (say) DAQxx when a diamond away from Kxx(x) or K(10)xx could easily cost.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Jim2 & Iain,
While this hand may create real interest, both to declaring and defending, Jim2 has found the defense to require declarer to make only an intelligent guess as to the right red suit defense tp pursue.
His defense forbids he hird club being cashed before the critical red suit finesse is attempted or the queen of hearts is downed. The expression goes something like, “that is all a mule can do” but please no offense since the mule doing it has an
extremely high bridge IQ.
Please forgive the sloppy presentation above.