Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Play problem

Plan was for a bidding problem next, but Frank showed me a hand I like too much not to put it up immediately. It's a hand from your local (four table) matchpointed-pairs club night against average opponents.
West Dealer
NS Vuln.
4 by N
North
K 10 9 8 4
2
7 6 2
K 10 7 2
South(Dummy)
A 7 5 3
5 4 3
A Q 9
A 6 4
Various slightly sensible auctions exist, here's one you can assume happened.
West North East South
1 1 2 4
All Pass

East's lead is the 7 overtaken by West with the K, who then continues with A.

Plan the play.

Below the cut you can find out how the spades break, but I won't give the other hands.


No spade honours drop on the first round, and you find they break 2-2.

Posted by David on
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5 comments:

  1. adskal23 August 2012 at 11:24

    So: my suggestion of a `natural' start is as follows (ignoring the knowledge about the spades distribution, but accepting the fact that no honour drops in trick 2, as I intend to play a spade to the ace first). So: spade to the ace, heart ruffed (any more heart information?), club from hand. What card do I see on the left? If it is 5 or 3, I play 6 from the table, if not I continue A clubs, K clubs, K spades. What happened in clubs?

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    Replies
    1. David23 August 2012 at 12:24

      So, as you're playing at the local club the first club is only covered low, so you cover with the 6 and you've guaranteed your contract. Very nice. They try a spade return, but you win and cash your clubs. If East had four, then you just played a diamond towards A Q 9. If West had four then you conceded the fourth club to West while pitching the nine of diamonds?

      If East put in a big enough club, like the 8 or 9, to stop you taking this line? I think there's one club layout that you'll find you can't pick up. (I wonder though what you saved by not playing the spade king slightly earlier though)

      Delete
    2. adskal23 August 2012 at 12:29

      The answer is rather straightforward - if spades are 2-2, nothing really. If spades are however 3-1 the length is likely to be with shorter hearts and there is a risk of the third spade being played (and then a heart) after the club is played round.

      Delete
  2. adskal23 August 2012 at 11:25

    And a side comment: slightly sensible actions might exist, but the bid of 1 Spade V against NV with N's hand is not included in any of them...

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