[paulg]

Scoring: IMP

1♣ - 1♠
2NT - 3NT

Lead: ♥10

---

I promise that this is easier than my last 3NT problem!

This is a fairly simple problem but my intermediate partner misplayed it and didn't realise, so I thought it was appropriate for the forum. The ♥J will win the first trick, assuming you do not overtake.

What is the danger on the hand?

What is the best way to play for 9 tricks?

Paul

[jtfanclub]

Um, play one round of diamonds, and assuming it wins, play on spades twice?

[rogerclee]

jtfanclub, on Mar 21 2008, 05:54 AM, said:

Um, play one round of diamonds, and assuming it wins, play on spades twice?

Hidden:

Spoiler

I'd try to combine my chances in a different way, especially since there is no real reason the first diamond should hold up.

[PassedOut]

Hidden.

Spoiler

Win ♥J, ♣8 to ♣Q, ♠4. If LHO hops ♠A, you have 9 tricks.

If LHO plays a low spade, play ♠J. If it wins, switch to diamonds. Again you have 9 tricks.

If ♠J loses, you have 9 tricks if spades break 3-3 or if LHO has ♠10-9 or if RHO has both pointed aces and only 2 hearts.

[paulg]

jtfanclub, on Mar 21 2008, 12:54 PM, said:

Um, play one round of diamonds, and assuming it wins, play on spades twice?

Interestingly this is how my partner played it, so perhaps the hand creates a little blind spot for some.

[jtfanclub]

PassedOut, on Mar 21 2008, 08:36 AM, said:

Hidden.

Only if Diamonds are 4-3...otherwise they take the second diamond, return a third, and when you lead a major they get in with the ace of spades to run diamonds....

[PassedOut]

jtfanclub, on Mar 21 2008, 08:59 AM, said:

PassedOut, on Mar 21 2008, 08:36 AM, said:

Hidden.

Only if Diamonds are 4-3...otherwise they take the second diamond, return a third, and when you lead a major they get in with the ace of spades to run diamonds....

Good point.

Hidden.

Spoiler

If ♠J wins, lead to ♦K and shift back to ♠8.

[paulg]

jtfanclub, on Mar 21 2008, 01:59 PM, said:

PassedOut, on Mar 21 2008, 08:36 AM, said:

Hidden.

Only if Diamonds are 4-3...otherwise they take the second diamond, return a third, and when you lead a major they get in with the ace of spades to run diamonds....

Good point.

Perhaps it is the second diamond that is a bad idea ...

[jtfanclub]

PassedOut, on Mar 21 2008, 09:21 AM, said:

Good point.

Hidden.

I don't think I'll find anything better than that...

[han]

Why do people lead towards dummy in spades rather than towards the king? Isn't RHO slightly more likely to have the spade ace?

[paulg]

han, on Mar 21 2008, 06:37 PM, said:

Why do people lead towards dummy in spades rather than towards the king? Isn't RHO slightly more likely to have the spade ace?

This is the question I was going to pose next.

The reason I think that leading towards the king is a better line for these reasons:

• Lack of a 1♥ overcall
  
• If hearts were 6-2, then it may knock out the entry if West has six hearts and an ace (and forgot to overcall)
  
• Some may duck the ♠K as dummy may not have another entry

Otherwise PassedOut has the right line.

The key point on the hand is to establish sufficient tricks, or at least a chance of 9 tricks, before they get their heart tricks. Playing diamonds first will only generate 8 tricks against best defence.

In real life it was necessary to play the hand correctly, as hearts were 5-3 and diamonds 5-2. However, as often in real life, the defence was not perfect either so we survived.

[PassedOut]

han, on Mar 21 2008, 01:37 PM, said:

Why do people lead towards dummy in spades rather than towards the king? Isn't RHO slightly more likely to have the spade ace?

If spades are 3-3 or 10-9 falls either play works. If RHO has both pointed aces and hearts are 6-2, either play works.

If LHO has ♦A and RHO ♠A-10-x-x, I'll need 4-4 hearts, otherwise I'm down.

But if LHO has ♠A-x, and LHO plays the ♠A on air, the contract is secure. That I can do something about. If hearts are 5-3, leading low to the ♠K loses to ♠A-x because RHO can exit with a low heart.

[han]

PassedOut, on Mar 21 2008, 02:15 PM, said:

If LHO has ♦A and RHO ♠A-10-x-x, I'll need 4-4 hearts, otherwise I'm down.

Nope.

[PassedOut]

han, on Mar 21 2008, 02:26 PM, said:

PassedOut, on Mar 21 2008, 02:15 PM, said:

If LHO has ♦A and RHO ♠A-10-x-x, I'll need 4-4 hearts, otherwise I'm down.

Nope.

You are so right. arrgh!