pclayton Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 In the final match of the Ontario, CA A/X Swiss you find yourself in the rare position of being in contention to actually win the event. Sitting on your right is Mark Itabashi. You pick up: ♠xxxxx ♥Jxx ♦x ♣ATxx And hear this auction: Client Mark1♥ 2♣2♥ 4N5♠ 6NAll Pass 5♠ shows 2 keys and the Q♥ Your opening lead? I'll post the answer in a few days. Phil Clayton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 ♣A followed by small ♣. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 Low club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PriorKnowledge Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 Absolutely, AC + low clubs. Especially in a post like this :D Not low club, because partner may have Kxx and duck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoob Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 top ♠ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 Absolutely, AC + low clubs. Especially in a post like this :D Not low club, because partner may have Kxx and duck What????????? Duck???? Fast, find a new partner! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flame Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 ♠ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trpltrbl Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 2♣ sounds like a tactical Mark bid, who was going to bid 6 NT along.Down 1 is good bridge, in this case for us. ♣A. Mike ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytoox Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 Spade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke warm Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 first, not a spade... partner didn't double the spade bid, and i see no future there... secondly, not a heart... partner didn't x the final contract... so i'm down to a club and my stiff diamond maybe the 2♣ bid was a psych and maybe not.. i'm leading my stiff diamond tho, since i trust his bid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pclayton Posted July 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 Ok fine, you twisted my arm, ;) I'll give you the full hand. Mark held: ♠ AQ♥ x♦ AKQJxxxx♣ Qx The views on this hand fall into 3 categories: 1) Anything but a club2) Really want to lead a club, but don't have the guts3) Lead the club Sure the auction smells like a red herring, which may be enough of a reason to make the lead. I'm not satisified with comments from the players that say: Its an old trick; a club is automatic. What I really am looking for are the logical reasons for a club lead. I can name a few - and feel free to chime in if you can think of others.... Tactical reasons: 1) There can't be any reason why the 2♥ call improved his hand. Why not start with 4N? 2) Why isn't he signing off in or 6♥ with presumed solidity; other than letting the client play the hand. Technical reasons: 1) Pard didn't double the 5 ♠ call 2) There are a lot of unaccounted diamonds on this hand. If you presume Mark has no better than KQJ9x (x?) of clubs, and no trump fit, he might have tried 3♦ looking for a side suit fit 3) Lets try to give a realistic reconstruction based on the bidding: Lets give the client a solid heart suit and an outside card: Kxx, AKQTxx, xx, xx. Axx, xx, Axx, KQJ9x just isn't enough firepower for this auction. Axx, xx, Ax, KQJ9xx still looks like a stretch for 6N; versus 6♥ looks a lot safer. Ax, xx, Ax, KQJ9xxx is about the best construction I think I can come up with. A club ruff is a real possibility, and the clubs are a definite source of tricks in 6N. Still with this hand, 6N is outright silly if the client has a stiff in a pointed suit, whereas 6 ♣ or ♥ is gin. And note with the above hand, if either hand has an extra honor card, if you pick the wrong suit, the hand is still making. So, on a relative basis, I think the club lead (Ace) stands out. Hey, if it works, you've got a story for a lifetime! More importantly you win the event :P Note: My pard was on the hot seat here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke warm Posted July 6, 2004 Report Share Posted July 6, 2004 what did mark's partner have in hearts? with the spade king at worse onside (and maybe in his p's hand) all he needs from partner is the A,K of ♥ (after my diamond lead anyway heheh)... oh well, it was a good tactical bid, give him credit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trpltrbl Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 Like I said, it helps to know who is bidding what.He knew all along he was going to bid 6 NT.The auction spelled, and no X of 5♠ Mike :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 I'm leading my Ace, simply because declarer might think I have something else, and will finesse the wrong way... Also, who has ♦s? My p would've bid them if he had em :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pclayton Posted July 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 Client held: ♠ Kxx♥ AKQTxx♦ xx♣ xx 17 tricks on anything but a club lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke warm Posted July 7, 2004 Report Share Posted July 7, 2004 sigh.. well like i said, he'd have snookered me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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