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Lead against the pro-client pair


Phil

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In our last match, one of the teams not in contention decided to skip their last match. Even though they weren't going to place, I think there was a legitimate medical reason.

 

As a result, your team gets tossed into an awkward round robin playing two four board matches.

 

In one of the RR's, a pro and client produce this auction:

 

4 - 4N

5* - 6

 

Two keys with the trump Q.

 

You get to lead from x 9xx Axx KT9xxx.

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In our last match, one of the teams not in contention decided to skip their last match. Even though they weren't going to place, I think there was a legitimate medical reason.

 

As a result, your team gets tossed into an awkward round robin playing two four board matches.

 

In one of the RR's, a pro and client produce this auction:

 

4 - 4N

5* - 6

 

Two keys with the trump Q.

 

You get to lead from x 9xx Axx KT9xxx.

 

Best way to set the contract would look to be cashing the AK of Diamonds

 

Give my Club length, I'm guessing that RHO is short, so a tricky club lead doesn't look like it rates to gain

I'm not ballsy enough to underlead my Ace, so...

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Which is the pro and which the client? And how weak is the client?

 

Against ops I believe competent, l will start with a systemic club. I think I will need a club trick to beat this slam.

 

If the 4NT bidder is known to be weak, I would at least consider the A.

 

The pro is about to put down the dummy.

 

The client is not as good as the pro.

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Not if he had a small stiff club and didn't know which minor suit ace his partner had.

 

Think Axx, AKQJxx, KJx, x.

 

BAM or straight teams ?

 

Straight teams, small diamond, not sure at BAM.

 

Swiss teams with IMPs and 20 pt VP scales.

 

Look, its Palm Springs, not all the teams are Str8 OK? :P

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I have underlead unsupported Aces against a suit contract twice in my life, and both times against a slam. This would make the 3rd. Seems clear to me, especially with the client on play.

 

I'd do it against the pro and would almost be pleased if he popped dummy's king....that's respect :D But I'd be even more pleased if he didn't :P Fortunately, he isn't on play, so we're gonna beat this if the suit lies as I hope.

 

They aren't off two aces not AK and they have lots of winners on this auction so I see no real choice here.

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I am surprised that no one has led a club. I club would be my intuitive lead here, though I would consider a low diamond, but probably would not do it, as it it never seems to work out for me.

 

The hand could easily be like:[hv=pc=n&s=s6h965da65ckt9872&w=sjthakj32dkqj4ca3&n=s987hqt87dt987cqj&e=sakq5432h4d32c654]399|300[/hv]

 

where it is essential to set up a club trick before you get the ace of diamonds.

 

I think with missing three key cards, north must hold a trick source. Also, if he has the KJx diamonds and the club AQ he would think strongly about bidding 6N to right side. He must hold the AK hearts, and it would be a shame, from his perspective, to go off on a diamond lead when you have 8 spades two hearts, and two minor suit tricks on a minor suit lead. ESP if he has the heart Q, then he is basically certain to convert to 6N when holding the club q.

 

In short. I think a club or a diamond are reasonable choices.

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Now what was the falsecard that's being referred to? That seems interesting.

 

As for the problem, I agree with the underlead of the ace on the auction/hand, seems too likely that this is our best chance at two quicks, which it looks like we'll need to beat the hand.

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I have underlead unsupported Aces against a suit contract twice in my life, and both times against a slam. This would make the 3rd. Seems clear to me, especially with the client on play.

 

It sounds as though you don't underlead aces often enough then.

 

I'd do it against the pro and would almost be pleased if he popped dummy's king....that's respect :D But I'd be even more pleased if he didn't :P Fortunately, he isn't on play, so we're gonna beat this if the suit lies as I hope.

 

Are you? Partner needs to be awake too. I remember a hand from the distant past. A teammate found the only lead to trouble a small slam, low from Axx. Dummy had K10xx and declarer Jx. Declarer played low from dummy; partner, with Q98x put in the 8.

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