On the other (second)-hand - Hi!

[GaryFisch]

[hv=d=e&v=e&w=saq1064ha8da65caq8&e=s875hq42dkq983ck6]266|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

This hand is a lesson on when it's right to play second hand high, as well as thinking before you play the first card from dummy, not to mention being careful what you read into opponents' play - especially online. Most players know it's often right to play 2nd high from Kx, Qx, or Jx, but it's also sometimes right to play high from Qxx or Jxx opposite Ax or even Axx. It's good to think about it before playing to trick 1. I found out the hard way.

 

I opened 2NT in 3rd seat (20-21), and partner raised to 3NT.

 

The opening lead was the ♥9. This seemed a bit strange, but I didn't start to really think until I had played second hand low. Then I had a dilemma. It didn't seem like North could have the K. From KJ109, surely North would lead the J, and from K98x or longer, the 4th best. So South surely had the K, and, possibly, the length. (It didn't occur to me that South would encourage with a higher card than the 5.)

 

I wouldn't need the ♥Q if diamonds broke or the ♠K was onside. However, if North started with 9x, I could isolate the suit after a possible losing spade finesse by holding up my A. This I did. After winning the 2nd round, I cashed the ♦A, dropping the J, and then played a diamond to the K. Considering diamonds alone, the K or Q first is best - then Restricted Choice says run the 9. The problem here is that that play could cost me the chance to take the spade finesse if North has ♦J and 10 and hearts are not 4-4. It's close as to the odds, but I like to go with 2 chances instead of 1. Also, if South showed out on the first diamond, I could finesse twice through North.

 

Anyway, diamonds didn't break, so I cashed the remaining minor honors ending in dummy and tried the spade finesse. Down one. It might have been down two if North had boldly bared the spade K and kept all the hearts. But it never should have been an issue. If I'd played the ♥Q at trick 1, second hand high, I could still have ducked if South covers, but here, I'd be able to take the RC play in diamonds, leading to 11 tricks (1 spade, 2 hearts, 5 diamonds, and 3 clubs). I could have had my cake and eaten it too.

 

The full deal:

[hv=n=sk3hkj10963djcj954&w=saq1064ha8da65caq8&e=s875hq42dkq983ck6&s=sj92h75d10742c10732]399|300|[/hv]

 

What's that saying, "More hands are lost at trick one than at any other trick?"

[kgr]

At IMP's I would play: take ♥ A the first trick and immediatly finesse ♦. If ♦'s are 4-1 then North will not be able to get the lead to play through ♥Qx.

In this case cover ♦J go back to ♦A and let a ♦ run.

[han]

I win the first heart trick with the ace, cash the ace of diamonds and duck a diamond into south.

 

I always make unless south has all 5 diamonds. In that case I can still try for extra tricks in spades and hearts.

 

This line has better chances for overtricks than kgr's line, without giving up any safety. Playing the queen at trick 1 seems a mistake.

[GaryFisch]

Hmm, and if South plays ♠ next, win A and have 9 (1 S, 1 H, 4 D, and 3C). OK, makes sense to me.

[pclayton]

Good hand for puppet stayman. 4S doesn't look nearly as exciting as 3N :P

[han]

Are you sure that 4S has better chances than 3NT?

[pclayton]

Yeah 3N is better - since you can duck a diamond to the safe hand. 4S looks tough when spades are foul.

 

I'm still going to 4S, and that's a close decision. Whether or not its right to raise to 3N and look for a 5-3 is somewhat random.