If the spade holdings were reversed, could a clever West smoothly duck the first spade and set the contract? When the queen is led and East shows out, it seems like it is too late to take three spades. If we switch the spades around, we need to donate three cards to East so lets send over the KD along with a heart and club (after all, as the column points out, we need at least one king onside).
Is there a case for, after the JS holds, crossing in clubs and leading the QD and, when that holds, leading a small spade next to ensure three spade tricks against any holding?
I hope I am not missing anything obvious even if past history suggest that I well may be.
Cheers,
Jeff
Iain ClimieJanuary 29th, 2024 at 11:21 am
Hi Jeff,
I think you’re still OK against a cunning West, even if he ducks the SK from Kxx(x) as the spade pips give you 3 tricks. You’re only in trouble now if the DK is offside when there is no hope. So HA, S to J, C to K, play SQ on which East shows out and you can then return to dummy with the other C honour to lead the DQ and then repeat the finesse if not covered. If dummy’s clubs were weaker (say Kxx with declarer holding AQx) then the situation gets trickier and it may be better to risk SK alone onside by running the SQ first then you still have the CK as an entry for the D finesse.
Regards,
Iain
Jeff SerandosJanuary 29th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Ah, of course. For some reason, I mentally had West with 9-7 over A-8 when he had to win a second trick, but South really has A-T when there is no problem. Thanks, Iain.
Iain ClimieJanuary 29th, 2024 at 2:49 pm
Hi Jeff,
No worries – it is Monday after all and at least the column in here! Ever seen any Garfield cartoons about the day?
Don’t worry about blindspots, though – I had a few months some years ago where on about 1 hand in every 4 or 5 I miscounted diamonds (only diamonds tbf) based on there being 14 in the pack. Routine post mortem apologies to partner were “sorry, I had the suit as being 5-4-3-2 round the table AGAIN!”
regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJanuary 29th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Hi Jeff & Iain, (soliciting opinions),
Yes, there are somewhat reasonable scenarios which could combine to do in this acceptable line of play with a clever duck of the original spade lead from dummy while holding the king.
However, they don’t stand a chance for success if they engage a bridge columnist who is wise to those types of moves since he (or she) will always point attention to what he would choose normalcy to, of course, be.
However, and this from a grizzled veteran, just keep thinking for yourself like you have been and in the fullness of time you’ll arrive at your peak, not without a few jolts along the way, but getting there, not having a rosy time, should always be the goal. But, on the way to nirvana, don’t ever stop asking those questions until you are sure of questionable answers such as you just heard.
Perhaps in a couple of hundred years there will develop a college degree available for bridge editing, leading to becoming a columnist, but, at least from my point of view, unless we find a way to play non-cheating, high-level bridge with cards, not tablets, our game will suffer what delivering the morning milk has experienced. Not a pretty nor a healthy thought, but perhaps a consideration.
Iain ClimieJanuary 29th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Hi Bobby,
I have to agree that I much prefer F2F to anything online although I’ll bash away at BBO 4 hands online if I’m bored. Even the rare people I don’t like are worth playing against if only to try to flatten them. I accept that online play can help though – a recent “English Bridge” featured a lady with a terrible degenerative condition but who could still play due to use of an eye monitor letting her select bids and plays while those who are isolated can benefit too. I also gather on-line games are available where you can see & chat to opponents and even partner. Got to be better than nothing but it’ll always be F2F first for me.
Apparently there has been a slight upsurge in mile delivery over in the UK so there may yet be hope; there is certainly far more on-line ordering(and then delivery) from supermarkets than there used to be.
Regards,
Iain
Iain ClimieJanuary 29th, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Also, for anyone interested, consider today’s LWTA principle.
Against oppo playing 4 card majors and not 2/1 (although it doesn’t actually matter) you hear the following uninterrupted auction:
1S 2C 2H 3D (4SF) 4C 4N 5H (2 Aces) 6C.
You’re on lead with KJ Kxxx Qxxxx xx (or something like that – it was 1978).
Offers?
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJanuary 29th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
Hi Iain,
An immediate jack of spades. Perhaps the only available positive about that choice
is to not think in the future of being as sharp, as once, and not by others, believed!
Already I’m beginning to feel the disdain of presenting them with the contract trick!
Otherwise 1978 was the only year I wasn’t hopelessly broke, and therefore wasn’t
in a filthy state of mind.
However, if I got off to the crusher, I need my ego massaged.
bobbywolffJanuary 29th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Hi again Iain,
Of course, did partner balk, before passing, when my lefty answered 5H to BW? Only kidding, since those types of questions are only theoretical. At least it says here, but only worth admitting, against normal practices, to why using Blackwood isn’t always foolproof.
Iain ClimieJanuary 29th, 2024 at 10:58 pm
Hi Bobby,
Exactly what I led. Declarer held xx A8x AK KQ10xxx opposite dummy’s A9xxx Q109x x AJx. Without the S lead the double heart finesse picks up the suit for 1 loser and bang goes the small spade. A bit unlucky for declarer as it is a reasonable slam otherwise.
I was a lot younger and braver (or just more reckless) at that stage of course.
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Hi Bobby,
If the spade holdings were reversed, could a clever West smoothly duck the first spade and set the contract? When the queen is led and East shows out, it seems like it is too late to take three spades. If we switch the spades around, we need to donate three cards to East so lets send over the KD along with a heart and club (after all, as the column points out, we need at least one king onside).
Is there a case for, after the JS holds, crossing in clubs and leading the QD and, when that holds, leading a small spade next to ensure three spade tricks against any holding?
I hope I am not missing anything obvious even if past history suggest that I well may be.
Cheers,
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I think you’re still OK against a cunning West, even if he ducks the SK from Kxx(x) as the spade pips give you 3 tricks. You’re only in trouble now if the DK is offside when there is no hope. So HA, S to J, C to K, play SQ on which East shows out and you can then return to dummy with the other C honour to lead the DQ and then repeat the finesse if not covered. If dummy’s clubs were weaker (say Kxx with declarer holding AQx) then the situation gets trickier and it may be better to risk SK alone onside by running the SQ first then you still have the CK as an entry for the D finesse.
Regards,
Iain
Ah, of course. For some reason, I mentally had West with 9-7 over A-8 when he had to win a second trick, but South really has A-T when there is no problem. Thanks, Iain.
Hi Jeff,
No worries – it is Monday after all and at least the column in here! Ever seen any Garfield cartoons about the day?
Don’t worry about blindspots, though – I had a few months some years ago where on about 1 hand in every 4 or 5 I miscounted diamonds (only diamonds tbf) based on there being 14 in the pack. Routine post mortem apologies to partner were “sorry, I had the suit as being 5-4-3-2 round the table AGAIN!”
regards,
Iain
Hi Jeff & Iain, (soliciting opinions),
Yes, there are somewhat reasonable scenarios which could combine to do in this acceptable line of play with a clever duck of the original spade lead from dummy while holding the king.
However, they don’t stand a chance for success if they engage a bridge columnist who is wise to those types of moves since he (or she) will always point attention to what he would choose normalcy to, of course, be.
However, and this from a grizzled veteran, just keep thinking for yourself like you have been and in the fullness of time you’ll arrive at your peak, not without a few jolts along the way, but getting there, not having a rosy time, should always be the goal. But, on the way to nirvana, don’t ever stop asking those questions until you are sure of questionable answers such as you just heard.
Perhaps in a couple of hundred years there will develop a college degree available for bridge editing, leading to becoming a columnist, but, at least from my point of view, unless we find a way to play non-cheating, high-level bridge with cards, not tablets, our game will suffer what delivering the morning milk has experienced. Not a pretty nor a healthy thought, but perhaps a consideration.
Hi Bobby,
I have to agree that I much prefer F2F to anything online although I’ll bash away at BBO 4 hands online if I’m bored. Even the rare people I don’t like are worth playing against if only to try to flatten them. I accept that online play can help though – a recent “English Bridge” featured a lady with a terrible degenerative condition but who could still play due to use of an eye monitor letting her select bids and plays while those who are isolated can benefit too. I also gather on-line games are available where you can see & chat to opponents and even partner. Got to be better than nothing but it’ll always be F2F first for me.
Apparently there has been a slight upsurge in mile delivery over in the UK so there may yet be hope; there is certainly far more on-line ordering(and then delivery) from supermarkets than there used to be.
Regards,
Iain
Also, for anyone interested, consider today’s LWTA principle.
Against oppo playing 4 card majors and not 2/1 (although it doesn’t actually matter) you hear the following uninterrupted auction:
1S 2C 2H 3D (4SF) 4C 4N 5H (2 Aces) 6C.
You’re on lead with KJ Kxxx Qxxxx xx (or something like that – it was 1978).
Offers?
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
An immediate jack of spades. Perhaps the only available positive about that choice
is to not think in the future of being as sharp, as once, and not by others, believed!
Already I’m beginning to feel the disdain of presenting them with the contract trick!
Otherwise 1978 was the only year I wasn’t hopelessly broke, and therefore wasn’t
in a filthy state of mind.
However, if I got off to the crusher, I need my ego massaged.
Hi again Iain,
Of course, did partner balk, before passing, when my lefty answered 5H to BW? Only kidding, since those types of questions are only theoretical. At least it says here, but only worth admitting, against normal practices, to why using Blackwood isn’t always foolproof.
Hi Bobby,
Exactly what I led. Declarer held xx A8x AK KQ10xxx opposite dummy’s A9xxx Q109x x AJx. Without the S lead the double heart finesse picks up the suit for 1 loser and bang goes the small spade. A bit unlucky for declarer as it is a reasonable slam otherwise.
I was a lot younger and braver (or just more reckless) at that stage of course.
Regards,
Iain