How do tackle trumps?

[Hanoi5]

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=saqtxhxdaxxxcjt9x&s=sxxhqjdkqjxca7xxx]133|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

After this bidding sequence:

 

1♣ 1♥ X 3♥*

4♦ 4♥ 5♣ Pass

Pass Pass**

 

*Barrage

**A little hesitation before the final pass

 

You receive a ♥A lead and a spade continuation on which you, of course, play the queen, winning the trick. To draw trumps you:

 

a. Play the Jack from the table and if it is not covered:

a.1. Let it ride, and if it loses:

a.1.1. to the Queen, finesse again

a.1.2. to the Queen, play for the drop next

a.1.3. to the King, finesse again

a.1.4. to the King, play for the drop next

a.2. Play the Ace and another trump

b. Just play a small trump to the Ace and another trump.

c. Bank on your table presence to guess the position

 

Bonus question: Why did West think before passing 5♣?

[inquiry]

RHO could only be thinking about sacrificing in 5♥'s, although a lightner double for a diamond lead holding a diamond void is another possibility. However, if LHO held five diamonds, after the heart ace won, he would EASILY have found a diamond shift.

 

We can not yet assume West has the ♥AK for the simple reason he might have lead the ACE from Ace-sixth, and we do think West has six hearts and East five... We think West has six hearts because we believe that EAST might well have followed the law and bid 4♥ with five.

 

But it hardly matters. Clearly the percentage play is to float the CLUB JACK and then finessee in clubs again. If West holds ♠Kx ♥AKxxx ♦xxxxx ♣Q (or stiff club king) and he found the defense of small from spade Kx, refuse to initially give his partner a diamond ruff, then wins his stiff club honor and gives his partner the ruff, well, you are never beating these guys anyway.

[peachy]

Bonus answer: My guess is he was thinking about sac or not to sac. Clearly the vulnerability and his partner's action indicate sac likely profitable but he held both club honors and figured 5C might not make. Therefore, for the vote question, no play of the trump suit brings home the contract when LHO has KQx and RHO x. So the only hope for making is to have LHO have KQ tight in clubcs.

[mikeh]

I have NO idea where S got his 4♦ bid from... he has a working 10 count! Bidding was silly.

 

Makes no difference to the final contract: north will presumably force to game if S passes 3♥, via 4♥

 

As for the play: double finesse clubs

 

Don't worry about what the opps were thinking. LHO has AKxxxx in hearts and the spade King. Playing him for precisely KQ in clubs is far too low a percentage, and that is the only holding where the double hook doesn't either win or break even.

[han]

Well, starting with the ace would only be worse if RHO has both club honors. If you think that that is not possible given the auction and hesitation then it can only win.

[andy_h]

Agree with mikeh

[nige1]

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=saqtxhxdaxxxcjt9x&s=sxxhqjdkqjxca7xxx]133|200|Scoring: IMP

After this bidding sequence:

1♣ 1♥ X 3♥*

4♦ 4♥ 5♣ Pass

Pass Pass**

*Barrage

**A little hesitation before the final pass

You receive a ♥A lead and a spade continuation on which you, of course, play the queen, winning the trick. To draw trumps what do you do:

Bonus question: Why did West think before passing 5♣?[/hv]

IMO

• Finesse twice.
  
• Sacrifice with ♣Qxx