[jillybean]

Scoring: IMP

---

West North East South

 -     Pass  1♦    Dbl
 1NT   2♠    3♦    3♠
 Pass  Pass  4♦    Pass
 Pass  Pass  

SA S2 S3 S8


♠3 from partner is discouraging, what is my next play, why?

Leading low from KJ I have lost both many times, I can't lead ♣ "never lead away from Ace",
looks like trump is my only play?
I always want to cash ♠K in these situations.

tyia
jillybean

[pclayton]

Lets count declarer's tricks.

For the bidding, declarer probably has 7 diamonds. The likely spade Q makes 8 and declarer should have the K♣ or the A♥ for 9. In either case, we probably have 4 cashing tricks, before declarer can get 10.

If its the A♥, declarer has 10 tricks.

If its the K♣, declarer has 9 tricks, its probably best to cash the 1st 4 tricks (there's a Morton's Fork lurking if declarer has ♣Kx and ♠Qx. But thats beyond B/I. For extra credit, so look it up).

Likewise, pard needs at least one of these cards for the 2♠ call. How can we find out what it is?

The easiest way is to lay down the ♠K. Pard should give us suit-preference and tell us where his card is. Low spade = ♣K, High spade = ♥A.

The other way is to play "obvious shift". A discouraging spade would show the A or K of ♥'s. An encouraging spade would deny either of these cards. Cashing out becomes a lot easier with this tidbit.

[cherdano]

To start a little earlier than pclayton:
* I can see 22 hcp. RHO opened, and partner freely bid 2♠ on a ten-high suit, with at most 7 or 8 hcp. My partners only do this if they have a 5card suit.
Hence cashing the ♠K is dangerous, because it sets up the ♠J for a discard, unless you follow it up with immediately cashing out your remaing tricks.
* Partner has ♥A or ♣K, hence we do have 4 cashing tricks, we only need to know which.
* The easiest way to find out is, I think, laying down the ♣A. If partner has the ♣K, he will encourage. You can proceed with ♠K and a small club. If he discourages, cash ♠K, ♥K and a low heart.
* But finally, since you have control in all side suits, there is nothing wrong with exiting with a trump. You just need to do the right thing (find out whether partner has the ♣K) when you win the next trick.

Arend

[inquiry]

Hi Kathryn,

There are two reasons your "standard" partner will play low here.

The first is that she despirately needs a switch when she holds the spade QUEEN. You are certain she is not void or even stiff in hearts (EAST would have bid hearts). Likewise you are pretty darn sure she isn't void or stiff in clubs (surely EAST would have bid 4♣ instead of 4♦ if also having five or six clubs.

So, it is safe to assume that parnter is simply indicating the lack of the spade queen. There is no rush right now to do anything, since you control spades, and clubs. Best is probably spade KING, and if the queen doesn't fall, just lead another spade. If EAST has spade Qx, let your partner's card be the guide to defense. If it is the SPADE TEN, cash the club ace, heart KING, and lead a heart to his ACE (jack incase partner has the heart ten too).

If it is the smallest missing spade and the queen falls from EAST. play a small club, planning (hoping?) to give partner a club ruff, or at least to take two club to go along with the two spades. IF it is a middle spade (some higher, some lower). You are in despirate trouble. If partner lacks the club king and heart ace, I don't think you can beat this.

Ben

[han]

Just wanted to note that "never lead away from an ace" is only true for the opening lead. For instance, if you had good reasons to suspect that partner has the Kx of clubs then you would be delighted to lead a small club.

I agree with the spade king now, see if this trick can help us some more.

By the way, even though I lead the ace from ace-king, I lead the king when leading a suit bid by partner, as I would often lead an unsupported ace in this situation. I think that this is a good agreement to discuss with a regular partner.

[jillybean]

Hi,
Next question please, what do you lead here?

tyia
jillybean

Dealer: East Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ 5 ♥ AT972 ♦ 84 ♣ AQJ64

West North East South

 -     -     Pass  1♥
 Pass  2♥    2♠    3♥
 3♠    Pass  Pass  Pass
 

[luke warm]

♥2. asking for a club return

[Free]

Hannie, on Mar 22 2005, 03:50 AM, said:

Just wanted to note that "never lead away from an ace" is only true for the opening lead.

I disagree...

[han]

Yeah yeah Frederick, how about:

"never lead away from an ace" is only a good guideline for the opening lead.