[kgr]

Scoring: IMP

(P)-P-(1D)-DBL
(P)-2D-(P)-6NT
2D=4cardM and 7+

---

both North and South did overbid (as well as Eeast) and didn't reach the better 6♠.
LHO leads ♦2 (leads 1st, 3rd, 5th).
 
Do you start with low ♦ or the ♦T and how do you plan your play to make this?

[FrancesHinden]

Well, there is one 'easy' way to make this, which is to choose correctly which spade honour is doubleton.

10 of diamonds from dummy, jack, queen.
Unblock both clubs
Unblock both hearts
Ace of spades
Q/low spade

Now I have the 10 of spades as an entry to dummy to make 3 diamonds (via finesses), 3 spades, 3 hearts, 3 clubs.

There are other ways to make this if only I know what RHO's distribution is.

I can, for example, cross by overtaking the heart, play a spade to the Queen and clear spades. Someone will play a heart back or a club back (say). I win, unblock clubs, cross on a spade to dummy and cash the ace of clubs. If East started with 4=5 in the reds he is squeezed.

This line is the same as crossing by overtaking the club, playing a spade to the queen and clearing spades

But I'm not convinced this is better.

[kgr]

Frances,

First of all: thanks a lot for taking the time to answer this play question.

FrancesHinden, on Oct 21 2008, 06:52 PM, said:

I can, for example, cross by overtaking the heart, play a spade to the Queen and clear spades. Someone will play a heart back or a club back (say).  I win, unblock clubs, cross on a spade to dummy and cash the ace of clubs.  If East started with 4=5 in the reds he is squeezed.

This line is the same as crossing by overtaking the club, playing a spade to the queen and clearing spades

If you overtake a heart then you only have 2 winners in Hearts and West will be able to stop them with a 3-card and therfore it is better to overtake a club (If a squeeze is better then playing for ♠Hx)?

[Mosene]

Don't we think RHO has the ♠K? If so, then ♣AK, ♥AQ then lead out the spade queen. (this will work as long as spades are 3-2 and RHO has ♦KJ and ♠KJ (which seems likey on the bidding). - I eddited in KJ. the more I think about it - this does not work to well - needs J doubleton.

[FrancesHinden]

kgr, on Oct 21 2008, 08:26 PM, said:

Frances,

First of all: thanks a lot for taking the time to answer this play question.

FrancesHinden, on Oct 21 2008, 06:52 PM, said:

I can, for example, cross by overtaking the heart, play a spade to the Queen and clear spades. Someone will play a heart back or a club back (say).  I win, unblock clubs, cross on a spade to dummy and cash the ace of clubs.  If East started with 4=5 in the reds he is squeezed.

This line is the same as crossing by overtaking the club, playing a spade to the queen and clearing spades

If you overtake a heart then you only have 2 winners in Hearts and West will be able to stop them with a 3-card and therfore it is better to overtake a club (If a squeeze is better then playing for ♠Hx)?

Yes.

The problem is that the squeeze only works with Hx not working when East is 3451 exactly with KJx of spades, whilst playing for Kx picks up 2353, 2254, 2155 with the squeeze not working (and playing for Jx picks up 3352, 3253, 3154)

[kgr]

Tx again.
RHO had ♠Kx.
My partner did play this hand and this is the first time I really think about it (..and it all looks so easy when it is explained by Frances ). I'm not sure, but I think my partner took over the ♥. He did go -1.

[kgr]

FrancesHinden, on Oct 21 2008, 10:53 PM, said:

kgr, on Oct 21 2008, 08:26 PM, said:

Frances,

First of all: thanks a lot for taking the time to answer this play question.

FrancesHinden, on Oct 21 2008, 06:52 PM, said:

I can, for example, cross by overtaking the heart, play a spade to the Queen and clear spades. Someone will play a heart back or a club back (say).  I win, unblock clubs, cross on a spade to dummy and cash the ace of clubs.  If East started with 4=5 in the reds he is squeezed.

This line is the same as crossing by overtaking the club, playing a spade to the queen and clearing spades

If you overtake a heart then you only have 2 winners in Hearts and West will be able to stop them with a 3-card and therfore it is better to overtake a club (If a squeeze is better then playing for ♠Hx)?

Yes.

The problem is that the squeeze only works with Hx not working when East is 3451 exactly with KJx of spades, whilst playing for Kx picks up 2353, 2254, 2155 with the squeeze not working (and playing for Jx picks up 3352, 3253, 3154)

...BTW: If East wins the 3rd ♠ can't he then return a ♦ to break a possible squeeze?

[nige1]

Scoring: IMP


(_P) _P (1♦) _X
(_P) 2♦ (_P) 6N
AP
2♦=4cardM and 7+
LHO leads ♦2 (leads 1st, 3rd, 5th).

Another variation.
Suppose the full deal is as shown
and the first trick goes ♦2 ♦T ♦J ♦Q.
Then ♠A drops LHO's ♠K.
You cash ♣KQ ♥A and overtake ♥Q to reach...

---

Scoring: IMP


(_P) _P (1♦) _X
(_P) 2♦ (_P) 6N
AP
2♦=4cardM and 7+
LHO leads ♦2 (leads 1st, 3rd, 5th).

Another variation.
Suppose the full deal is as shown
and the first trick goes ♦2 ♦T ♦J ♦Q.
Then ♠A drops LHO's ♠K.
You cash ♣KQ ♥A and overtake ♥Q to reach...

---

[benlessard]

With J987 hes always making 2 trumps

[CSGibson]

benlessard, on Oct 24 2008, 12:54 AM, said:

With J987 hes always making 2 trumps

tough to make 2 trump in 6N.