[pclayton]

You are playing with a decent pard with about 6,000 MPs. Its the "STAC" or Sectional Tournament at Clubs; which is a a tournament where your scores are compared to other scores all over the western conference (much of the Western US). Its also a way that club players can earn a few silvers for their LM.

It generally takes an absolute monster (75%) to win one of these things, since there are frequently over 1,000 pairs that participate during a given session. 67% will generally get you into the overalls.

He's kicked a board but you are having a nice game when this comes along:

Scoring: MP

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Your pard opens 3♣. 3♥ by RHO and 4♥ by LHO.

You imaganitively lead the A♣; 6; 10 (playing standard carding), 2.

Now what?

By the way, we end up with a 68% game. We'll probably place around 15th.

[mike777]

Partner is asking for a D shift, why?

1) What is the "obvious shift suit" In this case it is spades, a suit headed by KQJ can never be the "obvious shift". That means a very low club would ask for a spade shift
2) A medium high club, non ten would say continue clubs.
3) Partner can never ask for a trump shift.
4) Partner has played a high club, ten, for some reason, I will assume he wants a D shift now!

The main point here is that the ten can be seen as an unusual card given this bidding.

btw for those players that play Count, Attitude or Suit preference at trick one...partner guess which one, good luck!

[pclayton]

We don't play Obvious Shift Mike.

The ♣ would call for a diamond shift (likely a void), while a high club would deny interest in spades.

But that doesn't matter here.

[Fluffy]

Partner's got ♠Ax and ♥J, lets give him the ruff. The question now is only if returning with ♠2 would show ♠K, or ask for a ♣. Mmmmm I think on ym style I woudl return lowest ♠

[adhoc3]

Fluffy, on Dec 7 2005, 09:43 PM, said:

Partner's got ♠Ax and ♥J, lets give him the ruff. The question now is only if returning with ♠2 would show ♠K, or ask for a ♣. Mmmmm I think on ym style I woudl return lowest ♠

This should be the winning play.

A 'decent partner' won't open 3c with 5 cards major, so it's impossible that C10 requested D ruff.

[pclayton]

I had a slightly different idea; but playing pard for a specific singleton JACK is kind of a long shot, don't you think?

By the way, declarer wasn't the brightest bulb in the room; maybe that should influence your play some.........

[FrancesHinden]

I also think the C10 is suit preference, suggesting a spade honour but not demanding a spade shift.

Partner can tell from looking at dummy that we may be trying to guess whether to make an aggressive spade switch or do something passive and he's trying to help.

If partner had a diamond void (not really possibly on the auction) I expect he'd so something really dramatic such as play the CK.

If partner really has the SA (not that likely) he could be 2137 in which case singleton HJ would be a real bonus, also declarer might not think to ruff the third round of spades with the 8. That seems a better shot than hoping declarer will ruff the second club high, so I'll switch to a low spade.

[Al_U_Card]

So declarer has Qxxx,AKQxx,Axx,x and over 3C he bid 3H.....well, that Club T has provided a pitch for declarer which pard must know he will never get in time.......I vote for a low S

[pclayton]

I tried what Justin suggested. It shouldn't work against anyone really decent because of the presumed 8 card suit and a side ace for a 3 level preempt and the mystery of the J♣.

Nevertheless, as declarer, doesn't it feel 'safe' to ruff the 3rd club high?

Another point not mentioned is that if declarer was in fact: QTxx, AKQxx, Axx, x I think many players would make a TOx instead of a 3♥ overcall. Declarer's actual hand was: QTx, AKQJxx, Axx, x.

Just cashing your spades is good for a 75% board by the way.

[beatrix45]

Fourth best spade. Pard's club ten is an eye opener. Why can't winning bridge be easier than this?

P.S. Reviewed your thread. I will take a 75%+ board anytime (very small gloat).