Just looking at the NS hands, I think I’d be much happier in either 4H or 4S although the latter has a bad time as the cards lie. Any ideas on how to reach thee better contracts?
If South redoubled 3C to show a stop, then North with a stop like CQxx or even a part stop like J10x / J9x could then bid 3N. Not today, of course, but 3N would be played the wrong way up if the cards lay like that.
regards,
Iain
bobbywolffAugust 14th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Hi Iain,
Just looking at today’s hand is enough to convince me that it is indeed, very close between choosing for the spade finesse rather than a 3-3 break.
Believe it or not, the one reason, which because of column length, which was not delved into nor, even mentioned (since it was losing)
was a simple fact that at matchpoints, if neither play works playing for the even break only goes down one instead of two or more (depending on the location of the ace of diamonds).
Should that be a factor? You tell me, although perhaps there are other factors also present, which may lead to circumstances unknown, keeping the mentioned factor above from less consideration. Should the likely club length with East then, also tip the scales, against being “lucky” on this hand?
against East having the crucial spade knave.
Jeff SerandosAugust 14th, 2023 at 4:18 pm
I am feeling a little slow this morning, but I don’t understand how declarer is getting five spade tricks. Take the first two with the king and ten. Cross over and take the next two with the ace-queen, but can’t East just hold on to the jack? I am going to plead exhaustion and ask for a little help on this one.
The text, “… now could run the major suit winners.” is indeed a bit misleading.
Jeff SerandosAugust 14th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
lol – thanks, jim2. I wasn’t kidding about being exhausted. I misconstrued the text and my mind is pretty much mush right now.
bobbywolffAugust 14th, 2023 at 6:27 pm
Hi Jeff,
Haven’t you heard the “Hit Parade” answer to playing 3NT,
“Nine in time suits fine” number 1 on the radio, re: around
1948? Perhaps Cookie Lanson (close, or maybe not) singing. At
your approximate age, no chance.
Jeff SerandosAugust 14th, 2023 at 8:16 pm
Hi Bobby,
A bit before my time (I was born in 1960). My grandfather made sure I was exposed a lot of the old greats, but I don’t remember that one ever coming up. My loss, I am sure.
For the hand, I am not so sure it was the last line as she needed to bring in the spades. Either way, I can now see the text is crystal-clear and misunderstanding it was just a measure of just how tired I was. Still no sleep – but caffeine is a wonderful substitute (at least for a while).
Iain ClimieAugust 15th, 2023 at 8:56 am
Hi Jeff,
Put it down to Monday as well – there are numerous Garfield (and other) cartoons berating that day e.g. “You know it’s Monday when there is a landmine in your breakfast”.
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Hi Bobby,
Just looking at the NS hands, I think I’d be much happier in either 4H or 4S although the latter has a bad time as the cards lie. Any ideas on how to reach thee better contracts?
If South redoubled 3C to show a stop, then North with a stop like CQxx or even a part stop like J10x / J9x could then bid 3N. Not today, of course, but 3N would be played the wrong way up if the cards lay like that.
regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
Just looking at today’s hand is enough to convince me that it is indeed, very close between choosing for the spade finesse rather than a 3-3 break.
Believe it or not, the one reason, which because of column length, which was not delved into nor, even mentioned (since it was losing)
was a simple fact that at matchpoints, if neither play works playing for the even break only goes down one instead of two or more (depending on the location of the ace of diamonds).
Should that be a factor? You tell me, although perhaps there are other factors also present, which may lead to circumstances unknown, keeping the mentioned factor above from less consideration. Should the likely club length with East then, also tip the scales, against being “lucky” on this hand?
against East having the crucial spade knave.
I am feeling a little slow this morning, but I don’t understand how declarer is getting five spade tricks. Take the first two with the king and ten. Cross over and take the next two with the ace-queen, but can’t East just hold on to the jack? I am going to plead exhaustion and ask for a little help on this one.
Jeff –
Declarer needs only 4 spade tricks. (4S + 4H + 1C = 9)
The text, “… now could run the major suit winners.” is indeed a bit misleading.
lol – thanks, jim2. I wasn’t kidding about being exhausted. I misconstrued the text and my mind is pretty much mush right now.
Hi Jeff,
Haven’t you heard the “Hit Parade” answer to playing 3NT,
“Nine in time suits fine” number 1 on the radio, re: around
1948? Perhaps Cookie Lanson (close, or maybe not) singing. At
your approximate age, no chance.
Hi Bobby,
A bit before my time (I was born in 1960). My grandfather made sure I was exposed a lot of the old greats, but I don’t remember that one ever coming up. My loss, I am sure.
For the hand, I am not so sure it was the last line as she needed to bring in the spades. Either way, I can now see the text is crystal-clear and misunderstanding it was just a measure of just how tired I was. Still no sleep – but caffeine is a wonderful substitute (at least for a while).
Hi Jeff,
Put it down to Monday as well – there are numerous Garfield (and other) cartoons berating that day e.g. “You know it’s Monday when there is a landmine in your breakfast”.
Regards,
Iain