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W leads ♥AQ, E following with 9 and K.
What now ?
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Best line ?
#1
- Group: Advanced Members
- Posts: 14,218
- Joined: 2009-July-13
- Location:England
Posted 2020-December-31, 10:28
Not sure if this is beginner or intermediate, but how do you tackle this one:
W leads ♥AQ, E following with 9 and K.
What now ?
W leads ♥AQ, E following with 9 and K.
What now ?
#2
- Group: Full Members
- Posts: 84
- Joined: 2019-January-09
Posted 2021-January-03, 07:40
West's most likely distribution seems to be 1-8-2-2, and that could include a singleton spade honor. I'm guessing East holds the club ace. So cash the spade ace, then play three rounds of diamonds, ruffing in dummy, then lead a spade from dummy, hoping to lose one spade, one heart, and one club.
#3
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Posted 2021-January-03, 08:07
I don't think its clear to play West for a singleton spade honour, nor for a doubleton in diamonds. With 8 diamonds and 4 clubs outstanding I think other distributions might be more likely.
Regardless, against 1=8=2=2 you have nothing to fear. You can safely cross in diamonds, finesse a spade and win any return, cash the ace of diamonds and ruff the third round in dummy for a repeat of the finesse. This line wins whenever West has a void or any singleton spade along with at least one diamond, instead of exactly singleton honour in spades. Plus it also picks up spades 2-2 with East having at least one honour, provided West doesn't get a club ruff upon winning (so clubs 2-2, East having both spade honours or some strange defensive mistake).
Regardless, against 1=8=2=2 you have nothing to fear. You can safely cross in diamonds, finesse a spade and win any return, cash the ace of diamonds and ruff the third round in dummy for a repeat of the finesse. This line wins whenever West has a void or any singleton spade along with at least one diamond, instead of exactly singleton honour in spades. Plus it also picks up spades 2-2 with East having at least one honour, provided West doesn't get a club ruff upon winning (so clubs 2-2, East having both spade honours or some strange defensive mistake).
#4
- Group: Advanced Members
- Posts: 14,218
- Joined: 2009-July-13
- Location:England
Posted 2021-January-03, 08:26
DavidKok, on 2021-January-03, 08:07, said:
I don't think its clear to play West for a singleton spade honour, nor for a doubleton in diamonds. With 8 diamonds and 4 clubs outstanding I think other distributions might be more likely.
Regardless, against 1=8=2=2 you have nothing to fear. You can safely cross in diamonds, finesse a spade and win any return, cash the ace of diamonds and ruff the third round in dummy for a repeat of the finesse. This line wins whenever West has a void or any singleton spade along with at least one diamond, instead of exactly singleton honour in spades. Plus it also picks up spades 2-2 with East having at least one honour, provided West doesn't get a club ruff upon winning (so clubs 2-2, East having both spade honours or some strange defensive mistake).
Regardless, against 1=8=2=2 you have nothing to fear. You can safely cross in diamonds, finesse a spade and win any return, cash the ace of diamonds and ruff the third round in dummy for a repeat of the finesse. This line wins whenever West has a void or any singleton spade along with at least one diamond, instead of exactly singleton honour in spades. Plus it also picks up spades 2-2 with East having at least one honour, provided West doesn't get a club ruff upon winning (so clubs 2-2, East having both spade honours or some strange defensive mistake).
I agree with your assessment, but if he has a singleton in a minor and a trump then the minor suit lead looks quite likely, so 1822/0814/0832/0841/0823 look quite likely with the heart lead.
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