If West leads the H8 at T1 East’s life is much easier (West hasn’t got HKQ108 and HK108 would be an odd choice but maybe just possible) and he can switch to a diamond at T2. Now the club finesse doesn’t help that much, nor does running the C9 as East just knocks out the entry.
Regards,
Iain
bobby wolffApril 3rd, 2023 at 3:19 pm
HI Iain,
Yes, like Carole Channing used to sing, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” a switch in time will defeat nine and it likely should have been enabled when East should have been privy (at trick one) to both his partner West and then declarer, by seeing only 3 spades visible, then by subtracting, know how the other ten are distributed.
And who can then deny that concentrating on simple arithmetic is likely the fastest way to expertness with our beloved game. Thanks to you for bringing up the subject, therein, by simply counting to 13, enabling a valid conclusion.
Further, when determining to secure more information from partner, (sometimes not necessary) never underestimate the value of his answer to a wide awake opponent, almost always to his advantage. Too often it becomes the difference and worse, he then takes on the role of being the hero instead of someone on your side.
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Hi Bobby,
If West leads the H8 at T1 East’s life is much easier (West hasn’t got HKQ108 and HK108 would be an odd choice but maybe just possible) and he can switch to a diamond at T2. Now the club finesse doesn’t help that much, nor does running the C9 as East just knocks out the entry.
Regards,
Iain
HI Iain,
Yes, like Carole Channing used to sing, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” a switch in time will defeat nine and it likely should have been enabled when East should have been privy (at trick one) to both his partner West and then declarer, by seeing only 3 spades visible, then by subtracting, know how the other ten are distributed.
And who can then deny that concentrating on simple arithmetic is likely the fastest way to expertness with our beloved game. Thanks to you for bringing up the subject, therein, by simply counting to 13, enabling a valid conclusion.
Further, when determining to secure more information from partner, (sometimes not necessary) never underestimate the value of his answer to a wide awake opponent, almost always to his advantage. Too often it becomes the difference and worse, he then takes on the role of being the hero instead of someone on your side.