Burlingame 4 - A Bidding and Defensive Problem

[Echognome]

[hv=d=n&v=b&s=sk5ht853dakqjcaj3]133|100|Scoring: IMP

P - (4♠) - Dbl - (P);

5♦ - (P) - P - (5♠);

P - (P) - ?[/hv]

 

Pass, Double, or Door #3?

 

Let's say you pass or double. You lead the ♦K (K for count from AK at the 5-level or higher).

 

Here is your hand and dummy's:

 

[hv=d=n&v=b&w=sa9ha942d5ck97642&s=sk5ht853dakqjcaj3]266|200|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Partner shows you an even number of diamonds.

 

What now?

[Impact]

ok, I'm a bunny, and continue another D to ensure my S trick...and hope like anything that partner is not actually signalling McKenney despite your comment!

 

Yes, I realise that a H switch could be needed if declarer is 8-2-2-1 lacking HK, but do I want to play for that precise hand?

 

regards

[rogerclee]

Definitely double, definitely a second diamond now.

[Fluffy]

I also go for next diamond.

[Phil]

Agree with double and double.

 

Declarer appears to be 8=2 in the pointed suits. Declarer won't have a heart void but might be void in clubs.

 

Continuing diamonds seems to matter only when declarer is QJTxxxxx, K, xx, xx. Even then we can just as easily cash the club and then tap.

 

With QJTxxxxx, KJ (or KQ), xx, x, we need to cash our club first, and then tap dummy. This is also necessary with QJTxxxxxx, K, xx, x.

 

With QJTxxxxx, Kx, xx, x, we can wait.

 

QJTxxxxx, KQx (KJx), xx, void we can't beat it, and have to play a diamond to stop the over.

 

With QJTxxxxx, Kxx, xx, void, we need to shift to a heart and continue hearts later to break up a squeeze against us. Obviously trying to cash the club doesn't work, but neither does the diamond tap.

 

Since declarer will be 2-1 in h/c more often then 3-0, I'm going for the club cash and before the diamond.

[Echognome]

Declarer had:

 

♠JT9xxxxx

♥KQ

♦xx

♣x

 

I didn't think it through enough and went for garnering my 2nd trick by playing another diamond. That went ruff. Heart KQ cashed. Spade to the Ace and heart Ace discarding the losing club.

 

-850 :(

[rogerclee]

Declarer had:

 

♠JT9xxxxx

♥KQ

♦xx

♣x

 

I didn't think it through enough and went for garnering my 2nd trick by playing another diamond. That went ruff. Heart KQ cashed. Spade to the Ace and heart Ace discarding the losing club.

 

-850 :(

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought a club void was much more likely than this kind of heart position.

[Echognome]

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought a club void was much more likely than this kind of heart position.

I had thought that after the fact. Well maybe declarer can be 8=3=2=0 and if I play the ♣A, I have just given declarer his discard for hearts. But as Phil mentions, then I would have to play hearts now and again later when I get in or else I am squeezed. I simply played the second diamond, so cannot even fall back on that as an excuse.

 

The 2nd diamond works, of course, if partner has, say, the ♥K. But then so would playing a heart. I haven't really come up with a hand yet where it's important to play our 2nd diamond now, but I will be happy for you to find one.