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must win 4 spades


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[hv=d=e&v=n&w=sqj102ha52d752ca82&e=sk98753hk10dk10cj104]266|100|Scoring: MP[/hv]

Pairs. I opened a weak 2 spades 1st hand as east. Opps silent and now I must play 4 spades.

South leads spade Ace and North follows. South continues with a spade. How do I plan the play?

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You have 1 spade loser, at least 1 diamond and at least 1 club. Your plan should be to strip the hand and guess the layout of the club suit. You need the DA to be onside, so win the spade and lead a diamond up. If they win and return a diamond, play heart heart heart ruff, spade to dummy, diamond ruff. Now you will have 1 spade in each hand and the JTx of clubs opposite the A8x. Lead the jack of clubs and duck. If north wins and leads one back, play low. You win vs H9 of clubs on your right or H9 tight on your left, or HH tight in either hand. If something interesting happens in the red suits you can revise your plan (like RHO showing up with 2 spades, 6 hearts, at least 3 diamonds...now you play for HHfifth of clubs on your left, or stiff honor on your right and lead the jack and duck if lho covers).
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What kind of hand was your partner expecting for your weak two to put you in game?

 

OH well, 1 loser, 1 loser and 1 loser for sure. You must avoid a second diamond and a second club. A tall order. The Ace has to be on side. So you will play for that by a towards the king at some time. So it is how to avoid two loser in clubs. In isolation the odds favor leading the JACK and if covered, win ace and lead towards the queen. But you have a number of extra chances here.

 

For instance, against some players, you might try low to the 8, if WEST ducks the club from K9x(x) or Q9x(x) or KQ9(x) this works well. But a good player would not duck very often here, especially after you show up with the diamond king.

 

I think you just barely have the entries for an elimination play. Imagine, S-Q, diamond towards king, they win the ACE and lead a heart (if they duck diamond ACE it makes it easier for you). You win the King, cash diamond King, heart ace, diamond ruff, spade J, heart ruff. Now you have:

 

[hv=w=sthdca8x&e=skhdcjtx]266|100|[/hv]

 

If either opponent has come to doubleton club, you can play A then x of clubs, playing him for Kx or Qx, they have no way to unblock (you will know this based upon number of clubs out... ). If you think the both kept three clubs, then you give power (finally) to the eight of clubs. You lead the CLUB JACK. If WEST covers, you win ACE and lead towards the TEN. IF WEST ducks, you let the jack "ride". A club has to come back, and now you have option of playing low from hand playing north for Q9x or K9x.

 

Ben

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Thank you Ben and Justin. Nice plan.

I was looking for the endplay but just didnt see the importance of club 8! North had A and K9xx so your plan would work, but I only got 9 tricks.

 

The game is from my local club last night. After the game partner asked if it was alright to put me in 4 spades and I said no, no, no :( Then I get home and see the scores online.

In a field of 17 tables 2x420, 7x170, 3x140, 3x-50, 1xpassout and 1xavg :o

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I'd be willing to bet everyone didn't find the endplay. At some point NS probably was breaking clubs against other declarers.

yes and if NS duck the first spade they are more likely to even get thrown in with a spade at the end, if declarer makes his diamond play before stripping hearts.

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