[mikeh]

After West overcalled S's 1[D] opening, NS reach 6[h]. The opening lead is the [S]K. Our teammates failed, our opps succeeded. Our teammates are experts, the opps were advanced. I was going to put this in the B/I section, but it's part of a series

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[kenrexford]

I'm simple.

I'll start out with the intention of playing two top hearts and then running clubs. As long as everyone has two of each, there is not problem. If the person with three hearts has 2+ clubs, no problem.

I'll refrain from comment as to 4-1 handling (ones that are possible) until and unless I hear that hearts are 4-1. But, I think I'll start with the heart King.

[pclayton]

kenrexford, on Feb 18 2008, 08:32 AM, said:

I'm simple.

I'll start out with the intention of playing two top hearts and then running clubs. As long as everyone has two of each, there is not problem. If the person with three hearts has 2+ clubs, no problem.

I'll refrain from comment as to 4-1 handling (ones that are possible) until and unless I hear that hearts are 4-1. But, I think I'll start with the heart King.

Sounds like a good plan but I like this one better:

Try 3 clubs first. If they live, I can safety trump (K, low toward A-9). If RHO ruffs, I can overruff and play A♥, ♥ to K and the 4th club and claim.

The worst thing that can happen is if LHO ruffs the 3rd club and I have to figure out if he ruffed from 2 or 3.

I also give up the chance of ♥Qx with a stiff club, but this is a remote possibility.

[han]

My first guess is that Ken's simple line is better than Phil's for someone with my level of guessing.

[mikeh]

I posted this primarily as a sad story, from our point of view. Whether one opts for Ken's straight-forward line, or Phil's slightly different play, one thing seems clear: cash the top clubs to pitch a spade. Our declarer played ♥A, heart to the J, ♥K then the clubs.... a necessary line since I held KQxxx Qxx QJxx x.

Our teammate adopted the Ken line, as would I. lose 14.

[655321]

mikeh, on Feb 18 2008, 05:08 PM, said:

I posted this primarily as a sad story, from our point of view. Whether one opts for Ken's straight-forward line, or Phil's slightly different play, one thing seems clear: cash the top clubs to pitch a spade. Our declarer played ♥A, heart to the J, ♥K then the clubs.... a necessary line since I held KQxxx Qxx QJxx x.

Our teammate adopted the Ken line, as would I. lose 14.

I would also play Ken's line.

Is it possible that declarer took into account your conservatism in the bidding, and decided you would be unlikely to overcall 1♠ with just the KQ of spades, and the QJ of diamonds?

[mikeh]

655321, on Feb 18 2008, 05:19 PM, said:

mikeh, on Feb 18 2008, 05:08 PM, said:

I posted this primarily as a sad story, from our point of view. Whether one opts for Ken's straight-forward line, or Phil's slightly different play, one thing seems clear: cash the top clubs to pitch a spade. Our declarer played ♥A, heart to the J, ♥K then the clubs.... a necessary line since I held KQxxx Qxx QJxx x.

Our teammate adopted the Ken line, as would I. lose 14.

I would also play Ken's line.

Is it possible that declarer took into account your conservatism in the bidding, and decided you would be unlikely to overcall 1♠ with just the KQ of spades, and the QJ of diamonds?

If she did, she'd be wrong. After a minor opening, I am a very aggressive 1♠ overcaller.. I believe, strongly, in denial of bidding space. I absolutely would overcall with KQ9xx xx QJxx xx, as an example. In fairness, declarer was embarrassed about her line, even tho she kept the 14 imps