Line of play?
#1 Guest_Jlall_*
Posted 2007-December-28, 00:34
xx Kx AKJT KQxxx
MP random weak field regional (the usual).
You open 1N partner bids stayman and then 3N. LHO leads a heart, 9 Q K. How do you play?
#2
Posted 2007-December-28, 00:37
#3
Posted 2007-December-28, 01:23
I think that by bidding NT instead of making a borderline reverse you have already given yourself a quarter-trick over the field. No need to go down if RHO made an expert play from AQx in hearts. Take the money.
#5
Posted 2007-December-28, 03:03
#6
Posted 2007-December-28, 03:15
Ten tricks appears to be Av+, so playing a heart looks against the odds.
Paul
#7
Posted 2007-December-28, 05:46
The_Hog, on Dec 28 2007, 09:03 AM, said:
Indeed. We got a favourable lead, so no need to complicate what rates to be an above avg result.
#8
Posted 2007-December-28, 07:08
#9
Posted 2007-December-28, 08:02
The problem is that this line is B.S., and would obviously be so.
A falsecard play in clubs would be fruitless, IMO.
So, I'm left with just leading a heart. That seems dumb, frankly, without any accompanying ruse.
So, I'm safe. Cash out and claim 10.
-P.J. Painter.
#10
Posted 2007-December-28, 08:11
#12
Posted 2007-December-28, 08:56
I am really surprised by so many folks recommending leading a heart.
1. Some tables might not reach game
2. Some may get a spade lead
3. Taking 10 tricks may already be a top or near top
4. The heart play looks suspicious
5. A spade lead may be more common than you think
6. Leading a heart at trick 2 hopes the opponents are very poor. If they are that poor, then after safely cashing 10 tricks and then leading a heart, you may still get an 11th trick
#13
Posted 2007-December-28, 09:30
Every so often one of the defenders will mess up the end position and you will make another trick anyway. But if you don't cash out it is quite likely that you will make less than 10 tricks, and almost never more than 10 tricks.
#14
Posted 2007-December-28, 09:31
So many experts, not enough X cards.
#15
Posted 2007-December-28, 10:21
I think you won the board already with the 1N opening which is far from obvious for many players. I can see other tables starting 1♣ - 1♠ - 2♦ - 3♣ - 3N, whereas a spade through dummy looks a lot more appealing rather than a heart away from the Ace. Furthermore, the ♥Q looks like a technical error, but thats really subtle and not obvious at T1.
Against weak players I'd fire a small spade. They won't have a clue about the position and will play heart and a heart. This sounds silly but I've seen it time and time again. Not just players with 75 masterpoints either, but I've seen Gold Life Masters play like this. Its just horrible. Too often, they get into this mode of "If declarer does x, I'll do y".
Playing a heart is a sure way to wake up even the sleepiest player to find the spade shift.