Very interesting point that South cannot just lead out the top three diamonds. As it is, East could lead back the fourth diamond, but South has already seen the danger so, alas, there is no hope that he cashes out the diamonds and puts himself back in the same predicament he just avoided.
Best,
Jeff
bobbywolffAugust 1st, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Hi Jeff,
This type of experience of living through appropriate declarer’s play is not so much of a light
to be lit in a potential good player’s bridge education, but rather the necessity of declarer taking time at trick one to muddle through possible lines of play, noting both trick to trick, what to do and, make no mistake, why, (now is always the perfect time) it becomes necessary.
This hand will denote several exceptions to normal play, of course, one at the first trick which is a living example of study before the first trick is played to. Next, the consideration and timing of the discards, necessary to keep the declarer from squeezing himself, therein
getting a mental picture, very indigenous to considering the whole hand, rather than any one trick.
So you want to be a good bridge player and, if so, welcome to a hand which requires imperative knowledge or the other extreme, carelessness.
Jeff SerandosAugust 1st, 2023 at 7:51 pm
I have to say that I did see the play of the KH at trick 1 and the reason for it – but I’ll never know if I would have without the forewarning that all the hands this week revolve around creating entries.
One of the most satisfying feelings in the world is making a contract that Mrs Guggenheim most certainly would not have. Which, of course, made the devil appear on my shoulder….
Picture a world where East was dealt the doubleton A8H. You have to move things around and squint a lot, but you can make it happen, I believe in you! While you are at it, shift the diamonds a bit to make them 3-3. Then gift East with either an amazing flash of absolute moral certitude that he KNOWS exactly how the hand lays out and how South will attack it OR an RR moment where the wrong card falls out of his hand. Either way, the 8H smoothly (or not) hits the felt. And….
Paging Mrs Guggenheim, paging Mrs Guggenheim…You are now free to win the first trick cheaply, run the diamonds, and wonder what all the fuss was about as you score up your game while those around you who fancy themselves to be GOOD players stare at the wreckage of their contract. “Good? Really? They didn’t even realize they could win the first trick with the ten. Such carelessness!”
Iain ClimieAugust 1st, 2023 at 11:17 pm
Hi Jeff, Bobby,
I love Jeff’s scenarios but there is a tiny flaw If West has led 4th highest then the rule of 11 says East can’t have HA9. This, of course (or even curse), is where RR strikes having led the H6 not H5 from J965x due to finger trouble!
Subscribe to our feed
Bridge-related
Hi Bobby,
Very interesting point that South cannot just lead out the top three diamonds. As it is, East could lead back the fourth diamond, but South has already seen the danger so, alas, there is no hope that he cashes out the diamonds and puts himself back in the same predicament he just avoided.
Best,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
This type of experience of living through appropriate declarer’s play is not so much of a light
to be lit in a potential good player’s bridge education, but rather the necessity of declarer taking time at trick one to muddle through possible lines of play, noting both trick to trick, what to do and, make no mistake, why, (now is always the perfect time) it becomes necessary.
This hand will denote several exceptions to normal play, of course, one at the first trick which is a living example of study before the first trick is played to. Next, the consideration and timing of the discards, necessary to keep the declarer from squeezing himself, therein
getting a mental picture, very indigenous to considering the whole hand, rather than any one trick.
So you want to be a good bridge player and, if so, welcome to a hand which requires imperative knowledge or the other extreme, carelessness.
I have to say that I did see the play of the KH at trick 1 and the reason for it – but I’ll never know if I would have without the forewarning that all the hands this week revolve around creating entries.
One of the most satisfying feelings in the world is making a contract that Mrs Guggenheim most certainly would not have. Which, of course, made the devil appear on my shoulder….
Picture a world where East was dealt the doubleton A8H. You have to move things around and squint a lot, but you can make it happen, I believe in you! While you are at it, shift the diamonds a bit to make them 3-3. Then gift East with either an amazing flash of absolute moral certitude that he KNOWS exactly how the hand lays out and how South will attack it OR an RR moment where the wrong card falls out of his hand. Either way, the 8H smoothly (or not) hits the felt. And….
Paging Mrs Guggenheim, paging Mrs Guggenheim…You are now free to win the first trick cheaply, run the diamonds, and wonder what all the fuss was about as you score up your game while those around you who fancy themselves to be GOOD players stare at the wreckage of their contract. “Good? Really? They didn’t even realize they could win the first trick with the ten. Such carelessness!”
Hi Jeff, Bobby,
I love Jeff’s scenarios but there is a tiny flaw If West has led 4th highest then the rule of 11 says East can’t have HA9. This, of course (or even curse), is where RR strikes having led the H6 not H5 from J965x due to finger trouble!
Regards,
Iain
Sorry, HA8 – finger trouble!