hands from Penticton

[mikeh]

[hv=d=e&v=n&n=sqxxhak10da87cqjxx&w=sakxxxhxxdk9xxcxx&e=sj10xxxhxxxdqc10xxx&s=shqj9xxdj106xxcakx]399|300|Scoring: MP

The auction was (P) 1♥ (1♠) 2♠ (4♠) P (P) 5♥ all P.

 

The lead is a top spade, ruffed by south. I played safe for 5, by playing a diamond to the A and then a diamond off the board....catering to rho having KQ tight or any hand with 4 hearts. Plus, in any event, by cashing the diamond, I essentially gave up on 12 tricks. But can you always make 12 tricks if you read the position? I think it is a pretty hand. My wife made 12 tricks by the simple expedient of leading the diamond J, having it covered, and then pulling trump. That is not the pretty play[/hv]

[hanp]

Duck a diamond and dummy reversal?

[mikeh]

Too easy, han :P B) :) :D

 

Actually. I thought of a dummy reversal att, and then decided to guard against a bad trump break. Then when thinking later about the hand, forgot it.

 

The pretty play is thus unnecessary...but I liked it anyway:

 

Ruff the lead, play 3 rounds of trump and 4 rounds of clubs, reducing to 5 cards. If LHO keeps AX spades, he had to pitch a diamond: now Ace of diamonds and a diamond brings the suit in for one loser. If he keeps K9xx in diamonds, he has to stiff the top spade...now ruff a second spade, bringing down the A, and he has to lead diamonds...you win on board, cash the spade Queen and exit a diamond.

 

I played 4 sessions in Penticton last weekend and must have seen 7 or 8 squeeze positions, few of which seemed to be recognized at the table. Twice I was caught inescapably and I am certain that neither declarer had any idea what was going on. One of them asked me why I pitched as I did on one of them. Oh well.