One of my favorites from the club over 20 years ago. Weeknight pairs game and PD and I are sitting across from an older married pair who often agrued so much that it slowed the game down.
Wife was quite strong and would be a respected expert on BBO whereas hubby was basically as skilled as the average advanced pickup.
Hand 1) A text book hand since based on the HCP played and my opening and partner's failure to raise it, I simply have to have the K of trumps so hubby with a 5-4 fit must play to drop it stiff. He hooks and goes -1 and she, trying to restrain herself, but in an annoying voice, explains that he could could HCP and that I almost certainly have to have the King. He replies that he isn't good enough to tell that (understatement of the year) and she looks at us and says that she's been trying to teach him for 30 years
.
Hand 2) They both show monster hands in the bidding and a
♦ fit and he thinks and thinks about a slam move while she scowls at him. Lacking Kickback, he finally wimps it and stops in 5
♦. My lead goes to PD's ace and he exits and hubby wins in dummy and leads a trump. Hubby thinks and thinks (more nastier looking scowls) and finally ducks it into my stiff king !! I exit and the card they need to make with no risk drops easily on very basic play for 11 tricks for them.
Wife looks at the traveller as she scores and says, "Everyone else is taking 12 tricks, what happened?" He replies that he ducked, "hoping to endplay him" and then griping about losing to my stiff K for the 2nd time. She was sympathetic but said that with 11 trumps it is better to try to drop it, and then if not, he could hope I am endplayed or err. He raises his voice and utters some nonsense and she gets defensive and says this is basic percentages which I know that you know. He says "I do, but I thought the finesse was better". Now I simply can't resist telling them that that each hand had 6
♦. She couldn't believe it. I then pointed out that PD had disc'd a
♥ on the first trump (neither had noticed) and
the last time I heard that much noise I was watching the 4th of July fireworks.
After a chair was knocked over, she said that it was her fault for marrying him as the director came over to try to calm them.
Oh...back on topic..most useless/clueless comment.."I was hoping to endplay him" after losing to my stiff K with 12 cards between declarer and dummy.
.. neilkaz ..