[sceptic]

what are the rules for playing up to a Queen to get the king out i.e

Qxx

Axx or Axxxx or

make ur own example up if you care to


Do you play the Ace first ? or do you just play up to the Queen?

[ArtK78]

The answer is: it depends.

As with most play problems, much depends on what you know about the opponents hands, and what is your object in the suit and in the hand as a whole.

For example, if you knew that the hand behind the Q held most of the opponent's high card strength, you might play for a singleton or doubleton K in that hand by ducking the first or second round of the suit completely.

If entries are not a problem, and you know absolutely nothing about the opponents' hands (hardly ever true), then playing the Ace first and leading towards the Q is the best play.

Entry considerations may require that the first round of the suit be low towards the Q - for example, suppose you are in the hand with the Axxxx for the first and last time (other than by using the Ace of this suit) and you need four tricks in this suit. You must lead low towards the Qxx, hoping that the Kx or Kxx is in front of the Q. If the Q wins the first round, you duck the second round of the suit.

Of course, there may be other considerations involved in the play of the hand. Here is a classic situation:

Suppose this is a side suit in a trump contract and all of the trump have been pulled. The other suits are eliminated. You know that RHO (the hand behind the Q) has no more than 2 cards in this side suit, or you hope that such is the case. Play the A and low towards the Q. Even if RHO wins the K, if he has no more cards in the suit he will have to give you a ruff-sluff and your loser will go away.

[tkass]

my guess is ace first if u dont need to retain control in the suit with your ace, in which case i play up to the queen without plaing the ace

[mikeh]

Well, a lot depends on the context.

Thus, with Qxx opposite Axx, in notrump or where trump have been drawn or an opp on lead can draw the last trump, A and low to the Q could be really ugly.. they run the suit

Furthermore, Qxx opposite Axx often occurs on hands in which it may be possible to force the opps to break the suit: so I'd always look for an endplay of some kind unless I was confident the K was in front of the Q (and even then).

If all else is equal, it is best to lay down the A first, just because it is embarrassing to lose to a stiff K. Now, with Qxx opp Axx, that is a tiny issue, but Axxxx Qxx, it is a non-trivial edge. Play long enough and you will certainly encounter that holding.. I have.

So my advice is, generally, look for a way to get the opps to play the suit..especially RHO. Failing that, unless you are worried they will run the suit, lay down the A first.

[Stephen Tu]

Quote

If all else is equal, it is best to lay down the A first, just because it is embarrassing to lose to a stiff K. Now, with Qxx opp Axx, that is a tiny issue, but Axxxx Qxx, it is a non-trivial edge.

And with A9xxx opposite Qxx or Axxxx opposite Q9x, actually a bigger factor than dropping a stiff K is if the player behind the Q drops the J or T; then your next play should be to duck if the other player plays a low spot, as KJ & KT doubleton behind the Q outnumbers JT doubleton.

[ArtK78]

Any significant spot card changes the way you want to play the suit. The situation presented was Axxxx (or Axx) opposite Qxx - no spots.

[gwnn]

ArtK78, on Aug 30 2007, 12:52 AM, said:

Any significant spot card changes the way you want to play the suit. The situation presented was Axxxx (or Axx) opposite Qxx - no spots.

yes, that's why Stephen said "And...", to specify that his situation was a different, albeit similar situation.