There is usually a sensible warning to declarers to think before playing to trick 1. Today that wasn’t necessary as declarer can’t get that wrong, but the warning needed to be extended to T2 as well.
Of course it was unlucky that diamonds were 4-0 but a little care gives a no cost extra chance.
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJuly 10th, 2023 at 12:56 pm
Hi Iain,
Since your description represented all that needs to be said, I will only add what may be
helpful. Declarer should strive to be able to immediately or if not, set it in stone, that the
declarer error above should never come close to happening, and if not agreed, then declarer needs to brush up his play, so that almost instantly he becomes attracted to
the right play, without fanfare or such, if any, thinking required.
To not do so, shows a dramatic likelihood to someone who needs to become attuned to
what is mandatory. leaving no room EVER for such a thing, with a desire, if it was
repeated, to give up the game forever, citing irreconcilable lack of ability.
Strong opinion to follow, but to err here shows a total minus in what is so commonplace in our otherwise beautiful, and, in this case, challenging game.
Robert LiptonJuly 10th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
So after a week in which defenders play perfectly, are we going to have a week in which declarer plays like a moron?
Bob Lipton
Iain ClimieJuly 10th, 2023 at 1:38 pm
Hi Bobby,
South might still get lucky though. In the other room, EW took the save in 4S, the HJ was taken by the Queen and a small spade off table saw South rise with the Ace. He considered playing his partner for the CA to get a H ruff but settles for a “safe” SA and Sx exit. Declarer won in dummy and led a small heart to the 8, taking a H finesse and a club finesse later for +420.
Hi Robert,
Maybe it is South who is the imminent guilty party, whether defending or declaring, although convention lets him play most hands in bridge columns. Today, assuming IMPS, both South players have to buy their teammates beer though. An old partner of mine (Mike Summers-Smith) back in the 1970s when I was young, used to dutifully empty his glass and hand it across the table when I did something daft.
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJuly 10th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
Hi Robert,
Neither you nor I “spared the horses”, but hopefully few, if any real player, would, could, do anything that terrible! However, looking at the bright side, at least there used to be occasional Individual tournaments, where no one was already partnered up.
bobbywolffJuly 10th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Hi Iain,
Oh come on Iain, quit blaming things on being young to which we would never be able to understand except to be able to guess why Mike Summers-Smith always emptied his glass
before bridging it over. In those days, with your routines, it might have been a good idea to make as many errors as possible. except when playing with Mike.
Iain ClimieJuly 10th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Hi Bobby,
The same process happened in reverse almost (not quite) half the time to be fair!
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Hi Bobby,
There is usually a sensible warning to declarers to think before playing to trick 1. Today that wasn’t necessary as declarer can’t get that wrong, but the warning needed to be extended to T2 as well.
Of course it was unlucky that diamonds were 4-0 but a little care gives a no cost extra chance.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
Since your description represented all that needs to be said, I will only add what may be
helpful. Declarer should strive to be able to immediately or if not, set it in stone, that the
declarer error above should never come close to happening, and if not agreed, then declarer needs to brush up his play, so that almost instantly he becomes attracted to
the right play, without fanfare or such, if any, thinking required.
To not do so, shows a dramatic likelihood to someone who needs to become attuned to
what is mandatory. leaving no room EVER for such a thing, with a desire, if it was
repeated, to give up the game forever, citing irreconcilable lack of ability.
Strong opinion to follow, but to err here shows a total minus in what is so commonplace in our otherwise beautiful, and, in this case, challenging game.
So after a week in which defenders play perfectly, are we going to have a week in which declarer plays like a moron?
Bob Lipton
Hi Bobby,
South might still get lucky though. In the other room, EW took the save in 4S, the HJ was taken by the Queen and a small spade off table saw South rise with the Ace. He considered playing his partner for the CA to get a H ruff but settles for a “safe” SA and Sx exit. Declarer won in dummy and led a small heart to the 8, taking a H finesse and a club finesse later for +420.
Hi Robert,
Maybe it is South who is the imminent guilty party, whether defending or declaring, although convention lets him play most hands in bridge columns. Today, assuming IMPS, both South players have to buy their teammates beer though. An old partner of mine (Mike Summers-Smith) back in the 1970s when I was young, used to dutifully empty his glass and hand it across the table when I did something daft.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Robert,
Neither you nor I “spared the horses”, but hopefully few, if any real player, would, could, do anything that terrible! However, looking at the bright side, at least there used to be occasional Individual tournaments, where no one was already partnered up.
Hi Iain,
Oh come on Iain, quit blaming things on being young to which we would never be able to understand except to be able to guess why Mike Summers-Smith always emptied his glass
before bridging it over. In those days, with your routines, it might have been a good idea to make as many errors as possible. except when playing with Mike.
Hi Bobby,
The same process happened in reverse almost (not quite) half the time to be fair!
regards,
Iain