[MickyB]

Scoring: IMP

1N:2♣
2♥:3♥
4♥

1N = 12-14

T1: S 9JKA
T2: C 34Q2
T3: D 32JA
T4: H 3...

Deep Finesse said it was making at T4, and the trump lead made sure of that.
Strong tens, so the 9 was probably from T9(x)(x)(x)
Should we have beaten this?

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This post has been edited by MickyB: 2005-June-06, 10:37

[Blofeld]

What did the ♣2 show?

[MickyB]

Standard count, if anything.

[paulg]

Declarer has to get a lot right on a non-trump return. At the time I thought a club return was clear and then let declarer worry about the red suits, but a spade may be better - although the finesse is fairly marked, declarer may not wish to take it at this point and a return that takes an entry off dummy must be good.

p

[inquiry]

It is easy to set this, if WEST thinks a bit....

South has spade ACE (shown), and when club queen held, club King, and when low diamond to the jack, we know partner lacks KQ of diamonds, so declearer has one of those cards as well... So we can see, 4pts in spades, 3 pts in clubs, and at least three and possibel four points in diamonds. This totals 10 to 11 of his 12-14. So partner has good hearts. In addition, we know partner has four hearts.

What about spades? We know partner has one or two spades (declearer has at least two), and we should have gotten a count "odd" count from partner on clubs. So we know partner is 2-4-2-5 or 1-4-3-5. Either way, we can wait to win our diamond ace until after partner gives us some guidence on rather he has doubleton diamond (so diamond ruff is in the offing), or signleton spade.

So the correct play is to tamely duck the diamond ACE. It isn't going away.

[Echognome]

A big difference here between SHOULD and COULD. Obviously if West holds up the diamond ace, then a diamond ruff will put paid to declarer. Is it obvious for West to hold up? Not really. West has one go at the lead and at trick 3, there is not enough information to know what will help the defense. Perhaps on that reasoning, West should hold up and wait until diamonds are played again to make his decision. Certainly not easy, one thing that helps is that you're not likely to be giving away a diamond trick. The only layout where it might cost is if declarer holds QJ tight in diamonds.

[Fluffy]

Winning the ♦A was teh mistake, there is no need of it.

[Winstonm]

Although double dummy it is clear how this is made, in practical play it may just as easily go set. No rush to capture the diamond Ace - just play low and let declarer find the winning line.

WinstonM