Defend 3[SP]x

[kfgauss]

[hv=d=w&v=n&n=sq10962hkj1075dq52c&e=skj54hq3dakjckq85]266|200|Scoring: IMP

P P 1♣ P

2♣* 3♣** X 3♠

P P X P

P P[/hv]

 

2♣ was inverted (limit raise in clubs) and 3♣ was spades and another (and also rather insane). This is in a sectional swiss against inexpert opponents.

 

Partner leads ♠7 and declarer calls for ♠2. Your play.

 

Bonus question: how many tricks do you expect your side to take?

[Free]

I start with small ♠. Declarer can't get all his losers ruffed or discarded, so he'll get some downtricks. How many? I have no idea, -2 is enough I hope :)

[whereagles]

I'll put the jack, and play pard for something like:

 

x

Axx

xxxx

AJxxx

 

After taking the spade ace, if declarer tries the heart finesse, I'll take the queen, cash the spade king to confirm I ruff a heart, and play a hearts back for a ruff. After the ruff I'll cash the last trump and wait for 3 diamond tricks. Let's see, that'll be: 3 diams + 2 hearts + 2 spades = -3.

 

If, after the spade ace, declarer shoots a trump back, I'll take that and force him with a club and he'll proably end up 3 down as well.

[kfgauss]

This isn't getting so many replies, so I'll get to the crux of the issue:

 

We can be fairly certain spades are:

 

Q10962

7 KJ54

A83

 

around the table. In this suit combination, sometimes it's good to play low and sometimes it's good to play the J. How do we decide which is which, and which situation are we in now?

 

The rest of the defense is of some interest as well. A hint for the bonus question: partner should have ♥A for his 2♣ bid, and let's say declarer is going to misguess hearts.

 

Andy