On the column hand, declarer could also reason that West having five hearts suggests that East has the ace of clubs, because West would have a reasonable third-hand one heart opener at favorable vulnerability with that card.
Thus, finesse the diamond. If it fails, the clubs are there for tricks.
On BWTA, perhaps I am too old-fashioned, but there is no way I would reverse into hearts with that holding. I would raise to 2S and hope for the best, as I do not know if my KC is worth more than a spot singleton.
Robert LiptonOctober 10th, 2023 at 11:49 am
I was wondering about that, Jeff, and if an immediate club to the king might be a good idea.
Bob Lipton
bobbywolffOctober 10th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Hi Jim2,
Methinks I was, am, pushing the make believe button when I state that West would open 1 heart instead of 2, if he also had the ace of clubs. After all, EW were NV vs. V so that raising the ante (level of bidding) is often a good defense over opponents, likely dealt a better collection of cards, to start bidding life with less room to do it.
IOW, the rhetoric is OK, but I should have been fairer about what West is more likely to hold,
Sure it makes good column sense to give reasons, but in fairness I think I went at least slightly past what appears much more logical than I first thought,
In any event, my exaggeration allowed an exciting hand to be played, but next time I’ll try and better manage my candid statements.
Yes and also the possible 2 heart bid with the BWTA also reverberates as much too desperate. Maybe today just happens to be a good way to confess my latest bridge sins.
bobbywolffOctober 10th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
Hi Bob,
While what you say will work, but to do it before testing the diamonds looks to not be close to percentage, keeping in mind that the four card diamond holding was also held by the heart length. Therefore I suggest that while at the table, instead of likely reading a controversial bridge column, best to take advantage of normal percentage (diamonds to behave) rather than fly to others when we do not figure to have to.
Otherwise it is still fun to discuss other lines, but there is only so far we can go with West’s choice of opening bid.
jim2October 10th, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Note that I used the word “declarer,” carefully exempting myself personally from the math or reasoning.
That was because TOCM ™ would be waiting eagerly to switch the AC and QD when I called for the dummy’s card on the second diamond. That is, it would not matter which line I took, as I was always doomed from the start.
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On the column hand, declarer could also reason that West having five hearts suggests that East has the ace of clubs, because West would have a reasonable third-hand one heart opener at favorable vulnerability with that card.
Thus, finesse the diamond. If it fails, the clubs are there for tricks.
On BWTA, perhaps I am too old-fashioned, but there is no way I would reverse into hearts with that holding. I would raise to 2S and hope for the best, as I do not know if my KC is worth more than a spot singleton.
I was wondering about that, Jeff, and if an immediate club to the king might be a good idea.
Bob Lipton
Hi Jim2,
Methinks I was, am, pushing the make believe button when I state that West would open 1 heart instead of 2, if he also had the ace of clubs. After all, EW were NV vs. V so that raising the ante (level of bidding) is often a good defense over opponents, likely dealt a better collection of cards, to start bidding life with less room to do it.
IOW, the rhetoric is OK, but I should have been fairer about what West is more likely to hold,
Sure it makes good column sense to give reasons, but in fairness I think I went at least slightly past what appears much more logical than I first thought,
In any event, my exaggeration allowed an exciting hand to be played, but next time I’ll try and better manage my candid statements.
Yes and also the possible 2 heart bid with the BWTA also reverberates as much too desperate. Maybe today just happens to be a good way to confess my latest bridge sins.
Hi Bob,
While what you say will work, but to do it before testing the diamonds looks to not be close to percentage, keeping in mind that the four card diamond holding was also held by the heart length. Therefore I suggest that while at the table, instead of likely reading a controversial bridge column, best to take advantage of normal percentage (diamonds to behave) rather than fly to others when we do not figure to have to.
Otherwise it is still fun to discuss other lines, but there is only so far we can go with West’s choice of opening bid.
Note that I used the word “declarer,” carefully exempting myself personally from the math or reasoning.
That was because TOCM ™ would be waiting eagerly to switch the AC and QD when I called for the dummy’s card on the second diamond. That is, it would not matter which line I took, as I was always doomed from the start.