Bid and Play Problem

[joshs]

I held: J9xxx Jx xxx AJT

Both Vul at IMPS, playing with a sound bidder

2'nd seat

 

1H-P-2H(7-10ish in support)-3D

3H-P-P-3S

P-?

 

Well, on the plus side, I have a big double fit for partner, who likely has 4S and 6D (and might even have 5S). on the minus side, my points are in clubs, and I have no idea how many clubs partner has. Well after tanking for 3 minutes I elected to bid 4S (you know vul at imps and all that) hoping to get lucky opposite KQxx xx AKxxxx x (2-2 diamonds is about 40%) and maybe partner has a better hand. It goes all pass, and now you get to play it on the rusinow CQ lead.

 

 

 

 

 

[hv=d=w&v=b&n=sj9xxxhjxdxxxcajt&s=saktxhxxxdajxxxxc]133|200|Scoring: IMPS[/hv]

 

 

What's the best line, given the bidding?

[Guest Jlall]

I would play AK of spades, and if that works play the DA from my hand, if an honor falls on my left cross to dummy and lead a diamond up.

 

There is something to be said for an immediate spade hook, but it is just too big of a play for me.

 

LHO might well have bid 3H on 2524. You may say this is bad or whatever but it happens pretty often. LHO, if they have a stiff diamond honor would not lead it with Qx of spades. 2515 would be a normal bid 3H bid (at least), but with junk in the short suits I could see bidding 3H. With 1525, LHO may have the stiff spade Q. You never know. I'll save running the spade jack to the heroes.

 

BTW I would have bid 4S in about 3 seconds, but this time disparity is not unusual for you and me :D

[mikeh]

I am no hero, so I cannot hook the ♠ at trick 2 :D I agree with Justin's line.

 

I also agree that 4♠ seems automatic and thus a slow bid is an underbid :P

[joshs]

I would play AK of spades, and if that works play the DA from my hand, if an honor falls on my left cross to dummy and lead a diamond up.

 

There is something to be said for an immediate spade hook, but it is just too big of a play for me.

 

LHO might well have bid 3H on 2524. You may say this is bad or whatever but it happens pretty often. LHO, if they have a stiff diamond honor would not lead it with Qx of spades. 2515 would be a normal bid 3H bid (at least), but with junk in the short suits I could see bidding 3H. With 1525, LHO may have the stiff spade Q. You never know. I'll save running the spade jack to the heroes.

 

BTW I would have bid 4S in about 3 seconds, but this time disparity is not unusual for you and me :D

Maybe I should have said :John Jones on your left, and Mark Bartusak on your right, if that means anything. (I just think it means a typically agressive expert pair)