Easy to blame East here (and I expect West did so despite not having found the CK lead) but South could have held A98x A98xxx A10 x when not splitting would have been a disaster. In that case, though, would West necessarily be bidding 2S (as opposed to Michaels) on KQJ10xx K x KQ9xx? If east held DKQ107xx he wouldn’t play the DQ though as the D7 would be sufficient and, if South reads things correctly, he then sets up a D for one club discard.
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffJanuary 11th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Hi Iain,
When technical ability could be accurately described between very good players and technicians as close to equal (as is often the case in high-level world tournament play),
psychology plus experience leaps (doesn’t just creep) to the forefront and IMO is easily the prime factor on winning any one hand when psychology and guessing the holding becomes vital.
Yes, inner confidence in trying to determine exact card combinations seems to consistently develop in favor of those whose “feel” system, while at the table, (or sadly in a closed room, cut off from the reality of “the feeling necessarily present when all important guesses often determine the end result”. IOW, with the intent of making it much more difficult to cheat, we apparently are obligated to downgrade the importance of even the intent of trying to invade the “thinking” of a world class opponent by playing in different rooms from some of your opponents.ii
At least to me, it is a very close argument as to which way to go, between taking away glorious top-level bridge judgment in favor of not barring “cheaters” for life if caught, since showing such disrespect to the game itself is, at least to me, and should, a one way ticket to being kicked out forever, QED (quod erat demonstrandum).
Robert LiptonJanuary 11th, 2024 at 3:48 pm
11 days without a bidding situation that is wack! A good start to the new year.
With any swindle, it’s often more important to figure the psychology of whoever it is you’re trying to swindle. Will East be more likely to fall prey to splitting honors if you cash the Trump Ace first, or after? Given that it’s best to swindle early, the play of a low diamond at the second trick should set off the better player’s sensors, but which swindle is he trying to play?
With some players, however it might be best to play in a more casual manner, particularly if you have a reputation for being tricky. Zia, for example.
Bob Lipton
Mircea GiurgeuJanuary 11th, 2024 at 7:44 pm
Hi Bobby,
Given the wild auction, is it not safer for West to lead KC?
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Hi Bobby,
Easy to blame East here (and I expect West did so despite not having found the CK lead) but South could have held A98x A98xxx A10 x when not splitting would have been a disaster. In that case, though, would West necessarily be bidding 2S (as opposed to Michaels) on KQJ10xx K x KQ9xx? If east held DKQ107xx he wouldn’t play the DQ though as the D7 would be sufficient and, if South reads things correctly, he then sets up a D for one club discard.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
When technical ability could be accurately described between very good players and technicians as close to equal (as is often the case in high-level world tournament play),
psychology plus experience leaps (doesn’t just creep) to the forefront and IMO is easily the prime factor on winning any one hand when psychology and guessing the holding becomes vital.
Yes, inner confidence in trying to determine exact card combinations seems to consistently develop in favor of those whose “feel” system, while at the table, (or sadly in a closed room, cut off from the reality of “the feeling necessarily present when all important guesses often determine the end result”. IOW, with the intent of making it much more difficult to cheat, we apparently are obligated to downgrade the importance of even the intent of trying to invade the “thinking” of a world class opponent by playing in different rooms from some of your opponents.ii
At least to me, it is a very close argument as to which way to go, between taking away glorious top-level bridge judgment in favor of not barring “cheaters” for life if caught, since showing such disrespect to the game itself is, at least to me, and should, a one way ticket to being kicked out forever, QED (quod erat demonstrandum).
11 days without a bidding situation that is wack! A good start to the new year.
With any swindle, it’s often more important to figure the psychology of whoever it is you’re trying to swindle. Will East be more likely to fall prey to splitting honors if you cash the Trump Ace first, or after? Given that it’s best to swindle early, the play of a low diamond at the second trick should set off the better player’s sensors, but which swindle is he trying to play?
With some players, however it might be best to play in a more casual manner, particularly if you have a reputation for being tricky. Zia, for example.
Bob Lipton
Hi Bobby,
Given the wild auction, is it not safer for West to lead KC?