[davesayc]

What is the best way to play this suit for ALL the tricks?


AT7543

K8

1) Bang down the AK, hoping for QJ doubleton
2) Play low to the K, and, if RHO drops an honor, play low to the 10?

I played low to the K, and, when RHO produced the J, finessed the 10 (option 2).

Here, unfortunately, was the full layout



AT7543

962 QJ

K8

Did I play correctly and get unlucky, or is AK the correct play even if an honor drops?

[Cyberyeti]

If you want all the tricks, the 10 is no win, Q9xx/J still gives a trump trick to the Q.

Playing for as many tricks in the suit as possible absent any other info or chances, the 10 is correct.

[chasetb]

Dave, do a search for suitplay and download it, it's a computer program that will give you everything you need on card combinations.

As you probably know, to take all 6 tricks you have to hope for QJ tight, so low to King and 8 to the Ace.

If you are looking for most tricks on average, low to King and finesse the 10.

[davesayc]

Cyberyeti, on 2012-June-23, 11:52, said:

If you want all the tricks, the 10 is no win, Q9xx/J still gives a trump trick to the Q.

Playing for as many tricks in the suit as possible absent any other info or chances, the 10 is correct.

Ty, I did mean for as many tricks as possible.

[Cyberyeti]

The play for 5 or more tricks giving up on 6 is more interesting if you have the 6 rather than the 5.

N: A107632

S: K8

I'll hide the answer for any people that don't know this one and want to try to work it out.

Spoiler

You lead the 10 on the first round, running it unless the Q/J/9 are played, this wins crucially against stiff 9 with W and makes it the best play.

[perko90]

Cyberyeti, on 2012-June-23, 14:47, said:

The play for 5 or more tricks giving up on 6 is more interesting if you have the 6 rather than the 5.

N: A107632

S: K8

I'll hide the answer for any people that don't know this one and want to try to work it out.

Spoiler

You lead the 10 on the first round, running it unless the Q/J/9 are played, this wins crucially against stiff 9 with W and makes it the best play.

Wow! you got me on that one!

[Cthulhu D]

Cyberyeti, on 2012-June-23, 11:52, said:

If you want all the tricks, the 10 is no win, Q9xx/J still gives a trump trick to the Q.

Playing for as many tricks in the suit as possible absent any other info or chances, the 10 is correct.

Matchpoint best line is to lead low from the north hand and put in the 8 if RHO doesn't go up with the QJ9.

Actually suitplay recommends cashing the king first, then assuming everyone follows playing anything on the second round!

[TimG]

Cthulhu D, on 2012-June-24, 22:02, said:

Actually suitplay recommends cashing the king first, then assuming everyone follows playing anything on the second round!

When I substitute the 6 for the 5 in the original holding, suitplay leads the T as the best play for 5 tricks, just as cyberyeti said.

For the original holding, suitplay does play the T on the second round in the MAX line.