Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Wednesday, 4 October, 2023


5 Comments

jim2October 4th, 2023 at 11:14 am

This hand comes from the 2018 Lower Slobbovian Mud Cup.

I know, because I held the East hand. Pard led a heart, just as in the text. Declarer won on the Board and played on diamonds, also per text.

The delta was that declarer led not a small diamond, but the Jack!

I covered, of course, and declarer won with the Ace.

How could I blame pard for following low?

bobbywolffOctober 4th, 2023 at 1:14 pm

Hi Jim2,

By reminding partner that, next to bridge, many people regard the game of “hearts” as a worthwhile game dedicated to getting rid of your highest hearts ASAP. So, if, in fact, doing so in hearts, might be the right play, why not try it in bridge?

I have always worked very hard in trying to blame partner for all errors, when playing a partnership game, and have for the most part succeeded, possibly except for only one
small issue. For whatever reason no one asks me anymore to be his or her partner, (bridge or hearts), probably because others do not like me taking their money.

Iain ClimieOctober 4th, 2023 at 1:14 pm

Hi Jim2,

If you’d been West and had unblocked, declarer would have been safety playing the diamonds with DAQ doubleton to guard against still DK anywhere and expose the situation against other breaks. If you didn’t unblock of course, see the column hand!

Regards,

Iain

bobbywolffOctober 4th, 2023 at 1:50 pm

Hi Iain,

The only sure thing with this Mud Cup hand is that, for reason, Jim2 as instead declarer, would have followed your advice and started the diamond knave from dummy, East would have been dealt the singleton King. There you go, finally finding an onside king.

David SnookOctober 4th, 2023 at 6:04 pm

Ah ha!

I did see the necessity of West throwing the diamond king under the ace (before reading the explanation laid out)!

And in addition, I learned two valuable insights…

One, hearts is a great game for improving one’s bridge play, which I kind of suspected all along. I love playing hearts.

And two, indeed, try to blame your partner for all errors, whenever possible!