JSilver Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 [hv=d=e&v=n&n=sk43hkt5432d4cj87&w=sq7hq7daj8cakt953&e=sat962hadkq932c64&s=sj85hj986dt765cq2]399|300|Scoring: MP[/hv] Only 6 of 50 E-W pairs reached slam on this deal. One West declared 6nt, making 13 tricks, despite a ♥ lead, when North pitched a ♣ on the run of the ♦ suit. One declared 6♣, which looks inferior to 6♦, but makes easily, given the placement of the ♠K and the 3-2 trump split. Four pairs bid 6♦ and made it by different routes after a ♥ lead. Because of the 4-1 trump break and various blockages, the only legitimate line is to play ♠ for one loser. One West made what I think is the technically best play: high ♦ from hand, ♦ to dummy, revealing the split, ♠Q from dummy, with a finesse of the T in reserve if that lost. Another declarer ran the ♠9 at trick 2. The other declarers were seduced by the ♣ suit. One immediately played 3 rounds of ♣, ruffing with the Q, then led K♦ and a trump to dummy, getting the bad news. He then led a ♣, and when South ruffed and led a ♥, ruffed and drew the last trump. This line should fail, but South blanked the ♠J when the last ♣ was played, and the ♠Q picked up the suit. Comedy occurred at the last table. On the lead of the ♥8, North played the K, apparently playing her partner for a creative underlead of the A. This established a seemingly useless trick in dummy. Declarer now led a ♦ to the J, cashed the ♣A, led the ♦8 to the K, returned to the ♣K, ruffed a ♣ high and crossed back to the ♦A. Now when South ruffed the next ♣, he could not play a ♥, because of the play at trick 1. The only card now to beat the contract for certain was the ♠8, although the 5 might've worked in practice. But South, I suppose not wanting to see his partner play another K on a 7, led the J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
han Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 You didn't mention the line in 6♦ that first occured to me.. pull trump and duck a club. Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenrexford Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Same thought. 6D is simple on a heart lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSilver Posted January 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 You didn't mention the line in 6♦ that first occured to me.. pull trump and duck a club. Why not?Ah, you're right. That line works, provided ♣ split favorably. I wonder if that's a higher percentage than the ♠Q play, which I believe works about 75% of the time, and could produce an overtrick once in a great while when South has the stiff J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalvan14 Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 The best combined line (on a heart lead) is:A heartA diamondA club small diamond to the kingIf diamonds are 3-2, play a club toward the K (if W does not ruff), and ruff a club.If diamonds are 4-1 (as per the posted hand), diamond to the J, and ♠Q. This should give you the best combined chances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSilver Posted January 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 Concerning the ♣ duck line, a thought crossed my mind. As declarer, what will you do if South plays the ♣Q on the first round, as I believe he should. :P Will you continue with your plan, play him for both honors, or assume the Q is stiff and go after the ♠ suit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.