The cautious play of ditching a spade at T2 today is also valid at pairs, at least unless H are 3-2 and the spade K is singleton. Except for Jim2, though, that scenario is clearly absurdly long odds against. If dummy held SQJxxx then the position is trickier at least at pairs or BAM. If trumps are 4-1, you’re still OK to ruff T2 unless the SK is wrong. This is why “proper” bridge (IMPs or even rubber bridge) is better at the end of the day.
Regards,
Iain
jim2March 4th, 2024 at 4:35 pm
Yes, I would always make this hand as the cards lay, because I KNOW trumps will be breaking badly.
bobbywolffMarch 4th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Hi Iain & Jim2,
I’m including Iain, not just because he mentioned Jim2, but rather his choices of IMPs or rubber, rather than “matchpoints” to which most might agree to how much fun it is, but not be loath to agree to why and how IMPs or rubber bridge is, at least on paper, a better overall competition since few people can deny that the chasing of overtricks,
instead of sealing one’s contract, was meant to NOT be widely considered as possessing nearly the importance of the simple idea of
being satisfied with what I think is what our great game is all about,
“whether or not, the contractual bid, has been fulfilled”.
Reason, “game is difficult enough as is, rather than to increase the
task”.
bobbywolffMarch 4th, 2024 at 5:26 pm
And now straight to only Jim2,
YES, you are totally correct, but don’t you give your captor credit, that he knows you, being such a great player, know that, but will not he find an even more devious, but this one unexpected by you, such as giving West a singleon spade to switch to after you make the right play of jettisoning your spade loser at trick two, only to then lead his singleton spade and trade his ace of hearts to partner for his small one and then be ready to claim 2 heart tricks if then holding 9xxx with his partner now possessing the singleton ace.
However you will outsmart him by leading your small heart from hand or go to dummy to first lead a heart from there instead of an honor from hand.
Finally, you, of course, need to know that your opponents rise to almost impossible heights of play to overcome your perfect, through so many years, but truthfully never to know it, only due to your sad fate!
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Hi Bobby,
The cautious play of ditching a spade at T2 today is also valid at pairs, at least unless H are 3-2 and the spade K is singleton. Except for Jim2, though, that scenario is clearly absurdly long odds against. If dummy held SQJxxx then the position is trickier at least at pairs or BAM. If trumps are 4-1, you’re still OK to ruff T2 unless the SK is wrong. This is why “proper” bridge (IMPs or even rubber bridge) is better at the end of the day.
Regards,
Iain
Yes, I would always make this hand as the cards lay, because I KNOW trumps will be breaking badly.
Hi Iain & Jim2,
I’m including Iain, not just because he mentioned Jim2, but rather his choices of IMPs or rubber, rather than “matchpoints” to which most might agree to how much fun it is, but not be loath to agree to why and how IMPs or rubber bridge is, at least on paper, a better overall competition since few people can deny that the chasing of overtricks,
instead of sealing one’s contract, was meant to NOT be widely considered as possessing nearly the importance of the simple idea of
being satisfied with what I think is what our great game is all about,
“whether or not, the contractual bid, has been fulfilled”.
Reason, “game is difficult enough as is, rather than to increase the
task”.
And now straight to only Jim2,
YES, you are totally correct, but don’t you give your captor credit, that he knows you, being such a great player, know that, but will not he find an even more devious, but this one unexpected by you, such as giving West a singleon spade to switch to after you make the right play of jettisoning your spade loser at trick two, only to then lead his singleton spade and trade his ace of hearts to partner for his small one and then be ready to claim 2 heart tricks if then holding 9xxx with his partner now possessing the singleton ace.
However you will outsmart him by leading your small heart from hand or go to dummy to first lead a heart from there instead of an honor from hand.
Finally, you, of course, need to know that your opponents rise to almost impossible heights of play to overcome your perfect, through so many years, but truthfully never to know it, only due to your sad fate!