Declarer play problem from Martens' book

[bluecalm]

[hv=d=w&w=sq3hakj2dqjckq532&e=sa98h98764d642ca6]266|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

W plays 4♥. First lead: J♣. Plan ?

 

I am posting because I believe I found better solution than the one offered by Martens.

 

Have fun :P

[Fluffy]

I can see nothing good here better than the straightforward play ♣A ♥AK ♣KQ discarding a spade ruff a club and exit a diamond. This cannot be correct :/

[quiddity]

edit

 

I thought I could guard against a 3-1 trump break if the ♥T falls by playing ♣K, ♣ruff high, but if south has the long trumps he can overruff, play a diamond to North, and ruff another club. Annoying hand.

[rogerclee]

I can see nothing good here better than the straightforward play ♣A ♥AK ♣KQ discarding a spade ruff a club and exit a diamond. This cannot be correct :/

If clubs break 4-2 and an opponent has Qxx of hearts you will have no entry back to hand in time to pitch dummy's other losing spade.

[dburn]

Would play ♣A and a club. What happens?

[Fluffy]

I can see nothing good here better than the straightforward play ♣A ♥AK ♣KQ discarding a spade ruff a club and exit a diamond. This cannot be correct :/

If clubs break 4-2 and an opponent has Qxx of hearts you will have no entry back to hand in time to pitch dummy's other losing spade.

I know, that's why it cannot be right, but I cannot see anything better, at least keeps some endplay opportunities alive

[wclass___]

Some colclusions ..

If LHO has ♥QTx and ♣Jx you can't normally win. They have sure 3 tricks, and you can't establish ♣ without drawing trumps and if you draw trumps you don't have a fast entery back.

 

If RHO has ♥Qxx and ♣xx you normally need a ♥ finesse, because of the same establish ♣/draw trumps problem. However if RHO has both ♦AK, then you are still fine without a finesse.

 

1. ♣J-A-xx

2.♥x-x-♥A-x

3.♣K-x-x-x

4.♣x-x-♥-♥ overruff

 

He needs partner to lead another ♣ to beat contract, so if he has both of top diamond honors, he can't get him on lead.

 

I should probably suggest following line

 

1. ♣J-A-xx

2. ♥x-x-♥J-x

 

It does lose if LHO has singleton ♥Q and ♣JTxx, but it wins on all other ♥3-1 and ♣ 4-2 breaks on which you had a chance.

 

If ♣ are 5-1 most probably you need to establish ♥ without losers and get one ruff trick.

 

I don't think this should be a book hand, unless there is a clearly superior line which i don't see...

[bluecalm]

Martens' solution is this:

 

A♣, A♥, K♣, Q♣ and discard spade. Now we have communication to hand to ruff ♣ and discard last spade.

 

This however this loses to:

-♥QTx and ♣xx with N (because he will ruff, play ♦ and another ♣ from S will promote Q♥

-♥Qxx and ♣xx with S (same reason but S don't need a T)

-Any time one of the opponents have stiff ♣ (which Martens doesn't mention at all)

 

I think the better play is is to win first trick with A♣ and play for ♥ finesse. This way we have two entries to hand with A/K♥.

 

This only loses to (assuming clubs aren't 5-1)

-QTx in N hand along with Jx of clubs

 

 

It also seems to me that my solution will sometimes win if clubs are 5-1 (if Q is onside) while Marten's solution automatically loses to all those layouts.

 

Would play ♣A and a club. What happens?

 

I guess the plan is to play A♥ and Q♣ if you win ? If yes it's the same as solution from the book. If no, please elaborate :)

 

EDIT: wclass___ I started typing my post before seeing yours; your answer is the same as mine;

[wclass___]

EDIT: wclass___ I started typing my post before seeing yours; your answer is the same as mine;

Sure, but you don't lose if N has stiff Q along with ♣Jx

[bluecalm]

Yes, you are right I edited my post to avoid confusion. Thanks.

[wclass___]

Yes, you are right I edited my post to avoid confusion. Thanks.

Hmm, why did you delete that line? Just correct Jx to JTxx ...