Finally we are presenting a relatively simple hand, but instead methinks, that it can be turned into a forever learning experience.
The key factor is, at least for the defense, is not taking time off while defending. As the early play is flying by (thanks to both cunning and experience from a winning declarer) he has then drawn trump, but does the early play sink in well (or too fast) enough to East, for him to come to the party and, at the very least, be in a position to “literally” rise to the occasion, with the queen of clubs, as it is immediately led off the dummy by declarer.
It needs to strike home to East that declarer has now shown a hundred honors in trump ( high ones and 5 of them to boot) plus the almost sure AK of spades, mainly from partner’s lead of the eight (I like better) or the conventional seven, which evidently was its equal to them.
So if it looks like a duck and checks out like a duck, East should be ready to fly (with the queen, switch to a diamond in this special situation), and emerge with a “big” fish of a set.
Does it require bridge genius? No, but it does demand “total concentration” something wannabes are not always willing to contribute.
Yes, bridge is fun, while high-level bridge demands earning the kudos a defender may receive by simply devoting one’s “cool” bridge mind to what we all agree is one “hell of a game”.
Nothing more, nothing less, only a reminder to stay with every hand one defends or declares.
The declarer probably did his job of giving the defense “little time” to accomplish a mammoth and necessary job, but it will become well worth it, to both rain on his parade and privately, be very proud.
Iain ClimieAugust 18th, 2021 at 3:44 pm
Hi Bobby,
As well as the top hearts and spades with which he can place declarer, West hasn’t led a diamond so he surely hasn’t got DAK. If South has at least one high diamond, it looks less likely he has CA.
Regards
Iain
Bobby WolffAugust 18th, 2021 at 3:50 pm
Hi again,
Embarrassingly I wasn’t concentrating enough either when I neglected to mention, that if declarer did have the AJx of clubs with nothing or little in diamonds and with the contract in jeopardy, he would, no doubt, take the finesse.
Of course at matchpoints, there may be other factors (what I consider not to be consistent) with the real basic intention of the game itself.
Bobby WolffAugust 18th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
Hi Iain,
Thanks for contributing (as you always do) posts which, lightning like, cross thousands of miles by themselves, but well worth saying.
Would you care for a hot tea as your reward?
Iain ClimieAugust 18th, 2021 at 4:59 pm
Hi Bobby,
Got one thanks but a cold beer would be nicer.
Iain
Jeff SAugust 20th, 2021 at 1:32 pm
Hi Everyone,
The site was down for me for the last two days and now I am seeing this hand, but not the two after it. Is anyone else in the same boat?
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Bridge-related
Hi Everyone,
Finally we are presenting a relatively simple hand, but instead methinks, that it can be turned into a forever learning experience.
The key factor is, at least for the defense, is not taking time off while defending. As the early play is flying by (thanks to both cunning and experience from a winning declarer) he has then drawn trump, but does the early play sink in well (or too fast) enough to East, for him to come to the party and, at the very least, be in a position to “literally” rise to the occasion, with the queen of clubs, as it is immediately led off the dummy by declarer.
It needs to strike home to East that declarer has now shown a hundred honors in trump ( high ones and 5 of them to boot) plus the almost sure AK of spades, mainly from partner’s lead of the eight (I like better) or the conventional seven, which evidently was its equal to them.
So if it looks like a duck and checks out like a duck, East should be ready to fly (with the queen, switch to a diamond in this special situation), and emerge with a “big” fish of a set.
Does it require bridge genius? No, but it does demand “total concentration” something wannabes are not always willing to contribute.
Yes, bridge is fun, while high-level bridge demands earning the kudos a defender may receive by simply devoting one’s “cool” bridge mind to what we all agree is one “hell of a game”.
Nothing more, nothing less, only a reminder to stay with every hand one defends or declares.
The declarer probably did his job of giving the defense “little time” to accomplish a mammoth and necessary job, but it will become well worth it, to both rain on his parade and privately, be very proud.
Hi Bobby,
As well as the top hearts and spades with which he can place declarer, West hasn’t led a diamond so he surely hasn’t got DAK. If South has at least one high diamond, it looks less likely he has CA.
Regards
Iain
Hi again,
Embarrassingly I wasn’t concentrating enough either when I neglected to mention, that if declarer did have the AJx of clubs with nothing or little in diamonds and with the contract in jeopardy, he would, no doubt, take the finesse.
Of course at matchpoints, there may be other factors (what I consider not to be consistent) with the real basic intention of the game itself.
Hi Iain,
Thanks for contributing (as you always do) posts which, lightning like, cross thousands of miles by themselves, but well worth saying.
Would you care for a hot tea as your reward?
Hi Bobby,
Got one thanks but a cold beer would be nicer.
Iain
Hi Everyone,
The site was down for me for the last two days and now I am seeing this hand, but not the two after it. Is anyone else in the same boat?