If this is a real hand (and I assume it is), East’s face must have been red. Oh, well, not like I haven’t fallen asleep a few thousand times here and there. Can happen to anyone.
West must have been so confused. If South started with xx, why wouldn’t he have already claimed? But if had Qxx, why wouldn’t he have led towards the queen on the first round of diamonds as his only chance? But…surely partner didn’t start with Qx? Would you have put up the K on the second diamond?
Iain ClimieJuly 13th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Hi Jeff,
I might have found it when the hand is presented as a problem but I doubt it at the table. Of course if East has DKx, the play works nicely unless East ditches the DK – much harder than dropping the Q.
Regards,
Iain
jim2July 13th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
Lots of redness potential!
If West simply bids 4H, would North still double? At 4H, look what happens if N-S start off with two spades!
If West even more simply passes, will N-S reach 4S with 20 HCPs?
If West counts HCPs, there are only TWO HCPs that remain unseen. Would East have opened 2H in first seat with only three HCPs?
Jeff SerandosJuly 13th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
Those are good questions. Not sure if North would still double. Might arrive at 4S anyway as South seems like an aggressive lad and may have bid 3S and I can see North adding one for the road. And, um, yes, the HCP’s probably should alert West to his partner’s somnambulant state.
I’ll add one more question – what if East declines to bid 2H on his dreck and South, perhaps less plausibly, also passes on his dreck? Does North do anything after a 1NT bid from West? East might then do a Texas transfer, but even 2D, 3H would sorely tempt him to bid one more, right? Or would South interfere and bid 2S at his second turn? Where would that lead us?
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If this is a real hand (and I assume it is), East’s face must have been red. Oh, well, not like I haven’t fallen asleep a few thousand times here and there. Can happen to anyone.
West must have been so confused. If South started with xx, why wouldn’t he have already claimed? But if had Qxx, why wouldn’t he have led towards the queen on the first round of diamonds as his only chance? But…surely partner didn’t start with Qx? Would you have put up the K on the second diamond?
Hi Jeff,
I might have found it when the hand is presented as a problem but I doubt it at the table. Of course if East has DKx, the play works nicely unless East ditches the DK – much harder than dropping the Q.
Regards,
Iain
Lots of redness potential!
If West simply bids 4H, would North still double? At 4H, look what happens if N-S start off with two spades!
If West even more simply passes, will N-S reach 4S with 20 HCPs?
If West counts HCPs, there are only TWO HCPs that remain unseen. Would East have opened 2H in first seat with only three HCPs?
Those are good questions. Not sure if North would still double. Might arrive at 4S anyway as South seems like an aggressive lad and may have bid 3S and I can see North adding one for the road. And, um, yes, the HCP’s probably should alert West to his partner’s somnambulant state.
I’ll add one more question – what if East declines to bid 2H on his dreck and South, perhaps less plausibly, also passes on his dreck? Does North do anything after a 1NT bid from West? East might then do a Texas transfer, but even 2D, 3H would sorely tempt him to bid one more, right? Or would South interfere and bid 2S at his second turn? Where would that lead us?
This hand gives us a lot to chew on.
Cheers,
Jeff