[bluecalm]

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Partner thoughfully led 4♣ (2/4), you play A♣, declarer plays a 7.
Which card do you return ? Why ? Any good rules for this kind of situation ? (where "standard" small return could be disastrous as it's easy for partner to put declarer on five clubs).

[akhare]

I don't have a solution, but I have pondered over the problem many times too.

It seems that the rules for leading through declarer when dummy is void should be different from the classic "fourth best return" from an original 4+ card holding in the suit.

On a related note, is there any convention when returning an honour in this situation?

[dake50]

How many tricks will partner count for declarer?
Looks as if he must not let 5xC fear impede the most likely set.
At least in IMP this seems solvable by that thought.
Now pairs to not let 2xOT???

[Foxx]

Blurgh.

If we were going anywhere with the spades, partner would have led one; and the red suits belong to their side, so I'm returning a club, but which?

From the rule of eleven, declarer has THREE clubs higher than the 4, one of which is the seven he just dropped. If declarer has ♣K and ♣Q, a club is probably the best return but we are unlikely to set the hand.

The prospect of partner thinking South could have five clubs is legitimate and should influence our thinking. Say declarer had ♣KJ7 at the start. If we return the ♣3, the play will go ♣J, ♣Q and partner will be worried about leading into declarer's remaining ♣K9x. But if we lead back the ♣9, partner will play us for what we have (if we had ♣A9x, declarer's drop of the ♣7 blew a trick) and drive out the ♣K next.

Even after contemplation, I cannot see how returning the ♣9 can cost versus the ♣3.

[whereagles]

I can't understand this. LHO is dummy??

[fromageGB]

whereagles, on 2011-March-26, 13:09, said:

I can't understand this. LHO is dummy??

LHO (South) is declarer.
Lead ♣9

[bluecalm]

Quote

I can't understand this. LHO is dummy??

It's nice diagram with letters describing directions. What else can I do to make readable ?

Quote

At least in IMP this seems solvable by that thought.

It's MP's and I am asking about general principle more than actual hand.

[whereagles]

I guess I'm seeing something wrong because I have no clue what's going on.

[bluecalm]

We are E and dummy is North. According to common convention the player on E is on the right and player on N is at the top. The lead is from player in "W" position which is on the left side of the diagram and declarer is S which is on the bottom. Only the players on N and E positions are visible.

[whereagles]

Ok, I think I see it now. North's hand should be on our RIGHT, not left. Actually, how come the software made it appear on our left?? That doesn't make sense.

[gnasher]

The green square is the centre of the table. East is on the right-hand side of the table. North is above the table.

Are you from Australia?

[bluecalm]

Quote

Ok, I think I see it now. North's hand should be on our RIGHT, not left. Actually, how come the software made it appear on our left?? That doesn't make sense.

It seems that your mind is fixed on the idea that we are always on the bottom of the diagram
Here we are no the right and dummy is at the top.
Also bidding is not the centre of the table. The green square is

[fromageGB]

As a mahjong player, I would say East should be on the left. But then, an Australian mahjong player may disagree.

[fromageGB]

bluecalm, on 2011-March-27, 15:40, said:

It's MP's and I am asking about general principle more than actual hand.

OK, general principles.

When dummy has nothing you need take into account, I think attitude is more important than length. I would lead high indicating that I have no desire for partner to lead away from any split holding he has. A low card indicates that I will be happy to have that suit returned (eg have trick-taking honour).

When dummy has values and I have declared no more tick-taking potential in that suit (eg dummy started with Qxx and I win with the A from A953, then I show length (normal) by leading back the 3.

I don't know if this is standard, but I'm sure it is common.

[Fluffy]

I always return lowest, don't usually have problems excep when he sui is 4441 and partner blows a trick agains somehing like QJ9x in declarer's hands.