[FrancesHinden]

I see I was right about the short heart honours in dummy!

Quote

Doesn't the headline suggest that partner is stupid? Why else name it "Important lead"? If she has a trump trick, it doesn't matter what you lead. I strongly suspect that she has an ace and that it is not the ace of diamonds.

When you're given it as a lead problem in the BBO forum you are absolutely right: you know it's going to make if you lead the wrong thing, so a diamond can't be right, and we are back to our arguments about why a heart is better than a spade.

But at the table, you don't know it's a risk of making: all you know is that partner doubled 7C and then doubled 7NT. For all we know a diamond lead is going to generate an enormous penalty while anything else is one off. Partner should have something like QJ10 J1098 Jx J1098 for this double and declarer's going to have to duck the diamond lead at trick one to get out for 2 off.

[Walddk]

ulven, on Jan 12 2007, 01:23 PM, said:

N.B. As one of the few persons who´s played on Roland's team IRL, maybe my mental capabilities and/or judgement can be questioned... ;-)

Playing with you, Ulf, I would obviously have led a heart as I did here. However, I would never have been in this situation. Never in your wildest dreams would you or any other *sane Swede* double 7♣

(* yes, they exist)

Roland

[ulven]

Always a diplomat, Roland! (aren't you semi-swede?)

regards

[Walddk]

ulven, on Jan 12 2007, 01:45 PM, said:

Always a diplomat, Roland! (aren't you semi-swede?)

regards

I'm afraid so. My father is Swedish, still going strong at 85. He wouldn't have doubled 7♣ either because he doesn't play bridge (not that the double of 7♣ has anything to do with bridge of course).

Roland

[Walddk]

Speaking of stupid doubles, this is arguably the worst the world has seen so far:

Scoring: IMP

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European Championships 1997, Montecatini, Italy. Sweden vs. Germany.

The German North opened 1♥, 1♠ response by South and some Swede bid a natural 2♠ as West. Next came 4♠ from North (Rath) intended as a splinter with a powerful hand. The bidding tray passed across to Tomski, who glanced in puzzlement at his partner’s response and, abiding by the old bridge proverb “When in doubt, pass”, put a disastrous green card on the tray.

"I think I can beat this", said the Swede to himself, so he doubled!!??? Moments later the Germans had wriggled their way to 7♣! 1440.

He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be abundantly gratified (Proverbs 28/25).

Roland

[ulven]

Yes, we all know that 'some Swede'.

[skjaeran]

I've been there before - at the other side of the table (opps had a BW accident). Parnter didn't find the lead. The odds favour to lead your best major, since the opponents is more likely to have 13 top tricks if you lead your weaker suit and it's wrong.
So I'll lead a ♥ in my sleep.