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I never know how to tackle these...


Hanoi5

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[hv=pc=n&w=s8753hk763da874c4&e=sajt92haj82dkjtc5&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=p1sdr2cp3c4s5cpp5sppp]266|200[/hv]

 

The bidding might have been 5 by East Pass-Pass-Pass, but I'm not sure.

 

A and then K. I ruffed in dummy throwing a heart from hand. How should I tackle trumps?

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Low to the 9.... ( playing the DBLer for a stiff ).

 

Even if it loses, I can finesse again later.

 

[ If the first finesse loses to a stiff honor, note how s/he is stuck for a return ] .

 

What if LHO returns a trump?

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In vacuum, ace-then-low is almost as good as the double finesse (wins against KQ tight offside, loses against KQx and KQxx onside, every specific 2-2 is more likely than every specific 3-1 but not enough to make up for the missing 4-0) and is usually preferable because of entry problems and/or the threat of defensive ruffs. Here, none of that seems applicable and doubler is also less likely to have KQ tight than in vacuum. I agree with disagreeing with xx. Without any special methods W can bid 3 or 4S.
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KQ were tight offside. I thought double-finessing twice was better, but maybe the double and lho sacrificing should push declarer towards Ace and another?

 

I told North the redouble was 'creative'. I recommended showing a limit support via 2NT, but the hand looks like a mixed raise, doesn't it? How can that be shown?

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I told North the redouble was 'creative'. I recommended showing a limit support via 2NT, but the hand looks like a mixed raise, doesn't it? How can that be shown?

Some people use 3M-1 for a mixed raise. It's not a bad treatment. I think when you're NV it is very useful, but maybe when V it is not worth it as making preemptive jumps on nothing is not advisable then.

 

You're right about sacrificing, I didn't think about that. Anyway I don't think there's a big difference either way. I usually play ace and another with this trump suit but that is because I want to conserve my brain cells for another day (see also gnasher's post on bridge forum vs bridge simulator).

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Offensively, this looks like a limit raise to me. xxxx Kxxx Axx xx would be an above average mixed raise, and this is a trick stronger than that.

 

I wouldn't do either of those, though. Rather than letting LHO get his clubs into the game, I'd just bid 4 on the first round.

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Offensively, this looks like a limit raise to me. xxxx Kxxx Axx xx would be an above average mixed raise, and this is a trick stronger than that.

 

I wouldn't do either of those, though. Rather than letting LHO get his clubs into the game, I'd just bid 4 on the first round.

Out of curiosity, what is a minimum preemptive raise for you at this vulnerability?

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I can't imagine North bidding 5 with KQx. He has a weak hand with a likely 6-card suit, I just can't imagine him saving with his only strength in spades. So I would play ace and another.

 

I think anything but 4 by responder is a mistake. However, an immediate mixed raise with some jump to the 3-level would be less of a mistake than 2NT or redouble. Would have been nice to play 4, right?

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How should I tackle trumps?

As the doubler is more likely to be short, I'd go for the double finesse, getting to back to table with A if need be. I'd also play South for Q if necessary.

 

Had I perhaps already made that choice when I ruffed in dummy? B-)

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