How good a slam do you think this is? Looks like a finesse at best and also it needs clubs not to be 5-0. I suppose there is the residual chance of a doubleton HJ but East can duck the first heart to stop that. There again, there is a good 6 card suit in each hand making up for the misfit and slight points deficit.
Regards,
Iain
Iain ClimieJuly 31st, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Mind you at pairs, the play (after the HA is ducked) then goes C finesse, SQ, SAK dumping D, C finesse and an overtrick rolls in!
bobbywolffJuly 31st, 2023 at 10:32 pm
Hi Iain,
The strict percentage chance on this slam is just below 50%, but luck didn’t deal NS either the queen of clubs nor the jack of hearts. And, while playing matchpoints, sometimes the defense, usually caused by that condition, sometimes will immediately take the ace of hearts, even being led, for fear of the would be critical importance of the extra trick declarer may glean.
Therefore, at least IMO I’ll not give NS any sort of black mark for bidding too much, so call it a victory for aggression and a nod to also gaining the spoils from it.
Finally, please do not question me about the lead of the ace of hearts, since that kind of thinking seldom wins either masterpoints nor lady!
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Hi Bobby,
How good a slam do you think this is? Looks like a finesse at best and also it needs clubs not to be 5-0. I suppose there is the residual chance of a doubleton HJ but East can duck the first heart to stop that. There again, there is a good 6 card suit in each hand making up for the misfit and slight points deficit.
Regards,
Iain
Mind you at pairs, the play (after the HA is ducked) then goes C finesse, SQ, SAK dumping D, C finesse and an overtrick rolls in!
Hi Iain,
The strict percentage chance on this slam is just below 50%, but luck didn’t deal NS either the queen of clubs nor the jack of hearts. And, while playing matchpoints, sometimes the defense, usually caused by that condition, sometimes will immediately take the ace of hearts, even being led, for fear of the would be critical importance of the extra trick declarer may glean.
Therefore, at least IMO I’ll not give NS any sort of black mark for bidding too much, so call it a victory for aggression and a nod to also gaining the spoils from it.
Finally, please do not question me about the lead of the ace of hearts, since that kind of thinking seldom wins either masterpoints nor lady!