Cyberyeti Posted December 31, 2020 Report Share Posted December 31, 2020 Not sure if this is beginner or intermediate, but how do you tackle this one: [hv=pc=n&s=sajt842h3dat2ckqj&n=s973h65dk3ct75432&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=4hpp4sppp]266|200[/hv] W leads ♥AQ, E following with 9 and K. What now ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudnikbp Posted January 3, 2021 Report Share Posted January 3, 2021 West's most likely distribution seems to be 1-8-2-2, and that could include a singleton spade honor. I'm guessing East holds the club ace. So cash the spade ace, then play three rounds of diamonds, ruffing in dummy, then lead a spade from dummy, hoping to lose one spade, one heart, and one club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidKok Posted January 3, 2021 Report Share Posted January 3, 2021 I don't think its clear to play West for a singleton spade honour, nor for a doubleton in diamonds. With 8 diamonds and 4 clubs outstanding I think other distributions might be more likely. Regardless, against 1=8=2=2 you have nothing to fear. You can safely cross in diamonds, finesse a spade and win any return, cash the ace of diamonds and ruff the third round in dummy for a repeat of the finesse. This line wins whenever West has a void or any singleton spade along with at least one diamond, instead of exactly singleton honour in spades. Plus it also picks up spades 2-2 with East having at least one honour, provided West doesn't get a club ruff upon winning (so clubs 2-2, East having both spade honours or some strange defensive mistake). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberyeti Posted January 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2021 I don't think its clear to play West for a singleton spade honour, nor for a doubleton in diamonds. With 8 diamonds and 4 clubs outstanding I think other distributions might be more likely. Regardless, against 1=8=2=2 you have nothing to fear. You can safely cross in diamonds, finesse a spade and win any return, cash the ace of diamonds and ruff the third round in dummy for a repeat of the finesse. This line wins whenever West has a void or any singleton spade along with at least one diamond, instead of exactly singleton honour in spades. Plus it also picks up spades 2-2 with East having at least one honour, provided West doesn't get a club ruff upon winning (so clubs 2-2, East having both spade honours or some strange defensive mistake). I agree with your assessment, but if he has a singleton in a minor and a trump then the minor suit lead looks quite likely, so 1822/0814/0832/0841/0823 look quite likely with the heart lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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