Defensive problem

[paulg]

[hv=d=s&v=e&e=sqjt7hk65dkj2ct32&s=s6hj7dat8753cj986]266|200|Scoring: IMP

2♦ - (2♥) - Pass - (4♥)

All pass[/hv]

 

You open a weak 2♦, admittedly not everyone's choice, and the opposition bid quickly to the heart game.

 

Partner leads the ♦4, declarer plays small from dummy, you play the ♦A and declarer follows with the ♦Q.

 

What do you lead now?

 

(Edit: you lead lowest from xxx in suits you have not raised)

Edited July 14, 2007 by cardsharp

[Fluffy]

This hand happens to me all the time with a concrete partner, and all the time she didn't want to raise me.

[mr1303]

I return the spade, hoping for a ruff there. If partner had the stiff diamond, then hopefully he or she will play a high spade back for me to ruff. Otherwise I know that declarer's queen was a true card.

 

If a diamond back is my only chance to beat the contract, then too bad.

 

FWIW I wouldn't raise with 3 low unless I expected to make the contract

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

leading style?

 

Assuming the Q is doubleton or single,

that gives partner either 3 or 2.

Because the 4 of diamonds is the smalles

card, you will know, if diamond shorage is

possible with partner.

 

But I think I play a spade, because a

diamond ruff is not enough to beat the contract.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[mcphee]

I am not at all sure partner holds just 1 diamond. What I like to try and do in these positions if make up possible hands the player might o/c rather than dble for t/o. If declarer lacks the A of trumps he likely has 6 trumps and I will know what to play back when partner gives me the S ruff. It is possible that partner has the A of S and will be able to let me ruff showing me what suit to return.

[Winstonm]

I can easily see at least 10 tricks for declarer with 5(6) hearts, 2 diamonds, and 3 spades, so it looks like it's time to get busy and build our club tricks before they can disappear.

 

Playing for ruffs doesn't produce enough defensive tricks if declarer holds 6 hearts and something like Kxx, AQxxxx, Q, Axx.

[ceeb]

♠

 

♠ works if pd has 2 aces, or ♥A + ♠K, or ♥A + sing ♦.

 

♦ requires singleton ♦ plus ♠A or ♥A.

 

Hence by this rough accounting the ♠ has 5 chances and the ♦ only 2. Moreover, it never seems to be partner that has the singleton -- declarer after all has shown length in another suit.

 

-- Charles

[paulg]

[hv=d=s&v=e&n=skxxxxhxxxd4caqxx&w=saxxhaqtxxdqxxckx&e=sqjt7hk65dkj2ct32&s=s6hj7dat8753cj986]399|300|Scoring: IMP

2♦ - (2♥) - Pass - (4♥)

Lead: ♦4[/hv]

A minor suit return was needed to beat the contract.

 

Was declarer being clever with his diamond play? I think the normal play is the ♦J at trick one to convince RHO that his partner has the ♦Q. Of course with ♦Qxx then he may have raised, so perhaps declarer has found the better play.

[pclayton]

Paul - give declarer the Ks and the Ac and the club return doesnt work so hot. A diamond works in either case however, but to get it the max you need to get pard to continue As, s. Signaling for a spade could be costly if pard underleads.

 

In that case, pard would probably force out the club A with his (presumed) KQ and take likely set.

 

This hand is a good illustration why it helps for pard to make a courtesy raise with any hand with 3.

 

Agree with Paul that declarer made the proper play with Qxx in hand by dropping the Q.