Play this slam

[dcvetkov]

[hv=n=skxhaq109xxxdjxcxx&s=sajxhkxdk10xxcakxx]133|200|[/hv]

First part, do you agree with bidding?

S N

1D- 1H

2NT-3H ( presumably showing some 6 carder and mild slam interest, invites cue)

3NT-5NT ( pick a slam?)

 

Ok, I must admit I rotated the hands, and changed the contract, but lets suppose you decided to bid 6NT over partner pick a slam ( or correct 6H to 6NT, is that bid even possible?) to protect your menaces.

 

How do you play after lead of J♣? Is there any best line of play?

[han]

I'd take 7 hearts and try to guess the honors.

[jtfanclub]

I'd take 7 hearts and try to guess the honors.

Isn't there a squeeze on the last heart?

 

♠Kx

♥x

♦Jx

♣x

 

♠AJx

♥

♦K

♣Ax

 

On the last heart, if RHO plays a diamond, discard a club and play for the queen to be unprotected, if he discards a black card sluff a diamond. Unless, of course, earlier sluffs made it obvious....

[dcvetkov]

I forgot to mention one more fact which may be important, sorry

 

When you cash K♥ at trick 2, RHO shows out.

 

Previous diagram seems correct, but bear in mind that count has not been rectified, and you have to guess what to discard from dummy ( dummy seems to be squeezed on the last ♥)

[han]

In that case I might just lead a diamond to the king at trick 4. Edit: this is a bad idea because if LHO opponent wins they know they can't set it unless RHO has the diamond queen. Back to my initial plan.

[nige1]

In that case I might just lead a diamond to the king at trick 4. Edit: this is a bad idea because if LHO opponent wins they know they can't set it unless RHO has the diamond queen. Back to my initial plan.

I like Han's line. ♣A, ♥K, finesse ♥T, Run ♦J say. If RHO wins ♦Q, I don't think it is obvious which suit to lead. If RHO leads another ♣ (say) then run ♥ for a show-up squeeze.

 

North ♠ x ♥ x ♦ x

South ♠AJ ♦ T

 

When you cash the last ♥, if RHO retains ♦ A, hen play for the drop in ♠.

[dcvetkov]

I will show you the full hand[hv=n=sajxhkxdk10xxcakxx&w=s10xxxxhdxxxcj10xxx&e=sqxxhjxxxdaqxxcqx&s=skxhaq109xxxdjxcxx]399|300|[/hv]

 

But I am not sure what is the best line. You have option of finesse spade, finesse ♦Q, try to guess diamonds, or some kind of endplay - squeeze.

 

Problem is that you can not safely rectify the count and as you see, playing on diamonds loses. But this is one of those hand where, there is a pressure on a defender who has too many goodies, so strip squeeze w/o the count operate. Only problem is you have to guess what to discard from dummy on the last H ( spade or club), but if you play for the above disctribution, you will be rich rewarded.

 

[hv=n=sajxhdkcx&s=skxhxdjxc]133|200|[/hv]

 

Now you cash last heart throwing club from dummy and play a king of spades. RHO last 3 cards and Qxx♠ and A♦.. Now diamond play finishes east as he has to lead into spade menace.

 

Can this line lose compared to other? It can, if RHO has a club to cash for example or keeps Ax♦. I guess it takes some good reading at the ending whether to play for this, or finesse a spade. ( you had to discard club threat previously)

[nige1]

Dealer: ????? Vul: ???? Scoring: Unknown

♠ AJx ♥ [space] ♦ K ♣ x ♠ Kx ♥ x ♦ Jx ♣ [space]

Now you cash last heart throwing club from dummy and play a king of spades. RHO last 3 cards and Qxx♠ and A♦.. Now diamond play finishes east as he has to lead into spade menace.

Can this line lose compared to other? It can, if RHO has a club to cash for example or keeps Ax♦. I guess it takes some good reading at the ending whether to play for this, or finesse a spade. ( you had to discard club threat previously)

When East was dealt ♦AQ and ♠Q, as in dcvetkov' layout, then provided you have read the 4-card ending correctly it suffices to lead a diamond, without first cashing ♠K because ♦J and ♦K are equals against ♦A.

 

This is the kind of problem that is normally a piece of cake for deep-finesse or even a less gifted kibitser; but on which, the best card-reader will sometimes fail at single-dummy.

 

In practice, I still prefer Han's idea of trying ♦ early. This gives you an immediate 50% chance. And when it fails, if the ♦ honours are split, opponents may give you another bite at the cherry.