Insanity check

[OleBerg]

Rather silly-looking:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=sj652hq43dat8c987&w=s94h875dkj543ca53&n=sakt3hakt2d92ckj4&e=sq87hj96dq76cqt62&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=p1c(Natural%20or%2015-19%20bal)p1h(Transfer-Walsh%2C%20shows%20four%20spades)p4s(18-19%2C%20bal.%20or%20specific%202-4-2-5)ppp&p=c2c7]399|300[/hv]

 

1♣: Natural or 15-19 balanced.

1♥: Transfer-Walsh, 4+ spades.

4♠: 18 good or 19 hcp, either balanced or specific 2-4-2-5

 

The ♣2 was led to the ♣7, ♣3 and ♣J, and the defence was over.

 

Post mortem:

 

East: Leading into a strong hand, that migth easily be balanced, I lead the suit that would require least from partner.

West: The only justification for leading into a potential strong club-holding, is a spade stopper, and the hope for a ruff. Ducking is essential to preserve communication.

 

Edit: Leads are second/fourth best with attitude. Low from doubleton.

 

Shoot.

[Free]

If you lead small from doubletons then W may have a point, otherwise it's a ridiculous argument imo. The lead is just fine.

[nige1]

Rather silly-looking:

[hv=pc=n&s=sj652hq43dat8c987&w=s94h875dkj543ca53&n=sakt3hakt2d92ckj4&e=sq87hj96dq76cqt62&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=p1c(Natural%20or%2015-19%20bal)p1h(Transfer-Walsh%2C%20shows%20four%20spades)p4s(18-19%2C%20bal.%20or%20specific%202-4-2-5)ppp&p=c2c7]300|300|

1♣: Natural or 15-19 balanced.

1♥: Transfer-Walsh, 4+ spades.

4♠: 18 good or 19 hcp, either balanced or specific 2-4-2-5

The ♣2 was led to the ♣7, ♣3 and ♣J, and the defence was over.

Post mortem:

East: Leading into a strong hand, that migth easily be balanced, I lead the suit that would require least from partner.

West: The only justification for leading into a potential strong club-holding, is a spade stopper, and the hope for a ruff. Ducking is essential to preserve communication.

Shoot.

[/hv]

Agree with Free: East's club lead is a slightly doubtful choice but there is no case for West to duck, unless the EW style is to lead low from doubletons :( Declarer can always get home with the right views :)

[OleBerg]

The style is low from doubleton.

 

Should have been in the OP.

 

Is now.

[whereagles]

In this lead style, I think West has a point. 4225 is very possible. I would have led the diamond, though. Club looks a bit too risky.

 

Still, no blame I'd say.

[Fluffy]

I think leading a club is wrong, so east is to blame for leading one regardless.

 

West however should know that leading a club with doubleton is just as insane as leading it from the queen, so raising with the ace might be just as good.

 

Note that ducking the club only works when partner has specifically ♠Kxx ♥Axxxx ♦xxx ♣xx and failed to overcall 1♥. Its a live possibility but slim.

 

 

Taking the ace is also good if declarer has 6 clubs, wich even systematically impossible don't fool yourself it will happen sometimes.

[gnasher]

Consider what West was playing for. If North is 4225, East is 3532. For East to get a club ruff, he must have ♠A or ♠K.

 

For us to beat the contract, we will also need a red-suit trick. Once East has taken his club ruff, declarer will throw his diamond losers on the clubs, so we won't get a diamond trick. Therefore (if we're trying to beat this) East has to have ♥K or ♥A.

 

If East had a spade honour and ♥KJ9xx, he would probably have overcalled over 1♣. Even with K109xx many players would have overcalled.

 

It seems to me that West was playing for the other hands to be approximately KQ10x AJ Qx KQJxx and Axx K109xx xxx xx (or the same hands with ♠AK interchanged), for East not to have overcalled when he might have done, and for East to have led a club when he might not have done. (Personally I wouldn't even consider leading a club from that. It's quite likely to be the opponents' source of tricks, and for it to work I have to hit partner with specifically ♣A or ♣KQ.)

 

On East's actual hand, a club lead looks normal. Clubs are now much less likely to be declarer's suit, and the red-suit leads both look dangerous.

 

So, insofar as there is any blame, I blame West. But declarer would probably make it anyway.

 

One other thought: if your partnership often leads doubletons, don't play these leads.

[andy_h]

I agree with gnasher. If partner has 3532 there's a chance that he might've overcalled or possibly led a heart if the heart suit was headed by the K. On the contrary if partner's lead was from 4th best with 3-x-x-4 clubs could have been the safest lead as nothing is preventing declarer to be 18-19NT with three clubs (and therefore it won't be considered as declarer's "main" suit).