Double Stepping Stone

[pclayton]

This hand actually occurred at the table at the Anaheim BC on Friday and it was emailed by one of my old partners Rai Osborne. I've seen this in print, but never at the table. You play in 6N after some kind of misunderstanding:

 

[hv=n=s32hkxxdkxxxckqxx&s=sakqjtxxxxhaqdqcx]133|200|[/hv]

 

The opponents led a heart. The aces were split.

 

I won't show you the ending - but its easy enough to visualize.

[Echognome]

So we cannot lose a trick to rectify the count lest we lose both our aces.

 

I imagine the ending will be:

 

[hv=n=shkxdck&s=shqdqcx]133|200|[/hv]

 

And if we haven't seen an A, we will have to decide to either overtake the heart or cash the Q and exit in one of the minors.

 

On a little further thought, we might get an entry shifting squeeze as well.

 

We we play the ♥Q, lefty might pitch a minor suit A, in which case we can remain in hand if ♦ or obviously overtake if clubs.

[Echognome]

I thought of at least one variant.

 

Another ending possible is:

 

[hv=n=shkdckq&s=sxhdqcx]133|200|[/hv]

 

But I don't see how this layout will gain.

 

Shrug.

[jdonn]

On a little further thought, we might get an entry shifting squeeze as well.

 

We we play the ♥Q, lefty might pitch a minor suit A, in which case we can remain in hand if ♦ or obviously overtake if clubs.

Only if he pitched an ace to save a small card.

[CSGibson]

You're obviously going to have to do some investigating of the hand. Hopefully the opponents will make "helpful" pitches to give you a guess at the ending, but what it comes down to is that someone has to keep both two hearts and their ace at the last 3 cards when you have the Q of hearts, a diamond and a club. You then get to cash the queen of hearts and play the appropriate minor suit ace for that opponent to lead the last heart. If noone keeps two hearts, then you overtake the queen and enjoy your spot. Hope you read it well!

[foo]

♠ 32 ♥ Kxx ♦ Kxxx ♣ KQxx

+

♠ AKQJTxxxx ♥ AQ ♦ Q ♣ x

 

Neat hand.

 

AFAICT, North should be Declaring 6N (1S-1N; etc. or 2C-2D;3S-4N;etc)

 

The count is "pre rectified" given that you are in 6, so...

 

win the H lead with the HA and start running ♠'s.

 

Tend to discard what your RHO discards, but never discard any ♥'s

 

Neither opponent can discard an A else you will make 7, so the end position as you get ready to play the last ♠ is going to be something like

 

x/Q/Q/x

 

-/xx/x/A..............-/xx/A/x

 

-/Kx/-/KQ

 

Both opponents are forced to save their A lest you make 7, so you discard a ♣ from hand and then play the HQ. You then throw either opponent in but whoever they are they must play a ♥ on Trick 13, giving you your 12th trick.