Problem 22

[H_KARLUK]

[hv=d=s&v=b&n=sq93h6dkj742c8752&w=s64hakj873d53ckt6&e=sj875hqt5dt96cj94&s=sakt2h942daq8caq3]399|300|[/hv]

 

I moved to a new house. Today, i was trying to find something. Coincidentially saw one of my very old practice book about trump control.

 

With a pencil i had been dropped these note long years ago : But how come will they reach with today's std french and american 5 cards Majors bidding methods?

 

I sincerely hope to find a reasonable approach.

 

Thanks all. Now time to forward what i read in textbook.

 

The Bidding

SOUTH 1♠ WEST 2♥ NORTH 2♠ EAST PASS

SOUTH 3♥ WEST PASS NORTH 3♠ EAST PASS

SOUTH 4♠ ALL PASS

 

The Lead

West cashes the king of hearts and switches to th five of diamonds. East puts the nine and your ace wins. How should you continue?

Review

The contract seems reasonable, although there is always an element of risk in playing 4-3 fit. On the bidding the club finesse is not likely to be right, but the tenth trick should come from a heart ruff on the table. What about control? The diamonds cannot be enjoyed until all the trumps have been drawn. What is the safest way of tackling the hand?

 

Solution

Well I posted double dummy. If ned I can forward it also.

[Finch]

I don't think we'd have enjoyed 4S nearly as much if West had simply continued with a second round of hearts at trick 2. I think I'd ruff, cross on a diamond, ruff another heart, queen of spades, diamond to hand (hoping it's not ruffed on our left), trumps hoping for trumps to come in or RHO to be 4=3 in the majors (as he is).

 

On the diamond switch, it's easy enough to see that we're being asked to win the diamond in hand and play a trump to the 9. Win the minor suit return in hand (trump on the table!), ruff a heart, queen of spades, the other minor back to hand, draw trumps, claim.

 

Whether this is the right line or not is an interesting debate. What if diamonds are 4-1?

[han]

I don't think we'd have enjoyed 4S nearly as much if West had simply continued with a second round of hearts at trick 2.  I think I'd ruff, cross on a diamond, ruff another heart, queen of spades, diamond to hand (hoping it's not ruffed on our left), trumps hoping for trumps to come in or RHO to be 4=3 in the majors (as he is).

I think RHO's hearts are not as relevant, you'll need him to have at least 3 diamonds though. (4324 with the club king would also do)

[H_KARLUK]

I don't think we'd have enjoyed 4S nearly as much if West had simply continued with a second round of hearts at trick 2.  I think I'd ruff, cross on a diamond, ruff another heart, queen of spades, diamond to hand (hoping it's not ruffed on our left), trumps hoping for trumps to come in or RHO to be 4=3 in the majors (as he is).

 

On the diamond switch, it's easy enough to see that we're being asked to win the diamond in hand and play a trump to the 9. Win the minor suit return in hand (trump on the table!), ruff a heart, queen of spades, the other minor back to hand, draw trumps, claim.

 

Whether this is the right line or not is an interesting debate. What if diamonds are 4-1?

Obviously i studied that textbook long years ago. Seems i felt similar like you then i had been dropped my note with pencil to that page when i first studied it.

 

Today, I am "only"looking an answer abt final contract with any other bidding method like noone saw double dummy.

 

Solution was posted so :

The best shot is to ruff a heart in dummy at trick three and then run the nine of spades. If it wins (or if East covers), you can hope to draw trumps in four rounds and run the diamonds for an overtrick. If West produces the jack of spades, he will be able to do no harm on his return, for the queen of spades in dummy guards against a further heart force.

 

At first glance it may look equally safe to play a low spade from hand at trick three for a finesse to the nine. It works all right as the cards lie, for you can win any return, ruff a heart on the table, draw trumps and enjoy diamonds. But East might well have a diamond more and a spade less. If East able to give his partner a diamond ruff and West returns a trump, you will have no way of making more than nine tricks.

[han]

Something like:

 

1C - (1H) - 2C - (p?)

2H - (p?) - 3C - p

3S - p - 4S - all pass.

 

Or maybe:

 

1C - (2H intermediate) - 3C?? - p

3H - p - 3S - p

4S all pass

 

If north passes after 2H then it will be tough to get to game

[H_KARLUK]

Something like:

 

1C - (1H) - 2C - (p?)

2H - (p?) - 3C - p

3S - p - 4S - all pass.

 

Or maybe:

 

1C - (2H intermediate) - 3C?? - p

3H - p - 3S - p

4S all pass

 

If north passes after 2H then it will be tough to get to game

Thanks Han. Very nice of you.

 

Hamdi

[Fluffy]

Whether this is the right line or not is an interesting debate. What if diamonds are 4-1?

Well, the OP gave you the answer (I also though the line suggested by the book writter was the same as you though seeing the full hand).

 

But that was not my point. I think that playing a spade finese is not a bad idea, if the diamonds are 4-1, spade finese is wrong only against ♠Jx or ♠Jxx behind, while it is good against ♠Jxxx onside, not that big underdog (unless if you assume diamond switch suggests shortness blatantly)

[Winstonm]

I don't think we'd have enjoyed 4S nearly as much if West had simply continued with a second round of hearts at trick 2. I think I'd ruff, cross on a diamond, ruff another heart, queen of spades, diamond to hand (hoping it's not ruffed on our left), trumps hoping for trumps to come in or RHO to be 4=3 in the majors (as he is).

 

On the diamond switch, it's easy enough to see that we're being asked to win the diamond in hand and play a trump to the 9. Win the minor suit return in hand (trump on the table!), ruff a heart, queen of spades, the other minor back to hand, draw trumps, claim.

 

Whether this is the right line or not is an interesting debate. What if diamonds are 4-1?

On a heart continuation, I ruff low and lead the 9 of spades and run it, not caring if it wins or loses as long as spades are 4-2 or 3-3.