[the hog]

I get the distinct impression a number of other posters might have allowed this through. Playing standard carding, the Q shows an even number as well as screaming "Play a spade".

[Mbodell]

FWIW we are playing standard count and upside down attitude and usually signal attitude first. In addition, we lead A from AK in suits EXCEPT against high level contracts where A asks attitude and K asks count. So North knows that South has an even number of hearts (or maybe is violating as some kind of alarm signal never explicitly discussed).

And yes, I obviously included the teammates option in the poll for the ability to tell what happened at the other table and give people a "no vote" option since you obviously can't blame teammates for beating double dummy par by 300 (and we certainly don't blame our teammates in general, and specifically certainly can't here on this hand, nor in the semifinal match as partner and I had the worst card of the 3 pairs in the semifinal match)!

To switch or not to switch is obviously one key question, but it isn't the only one by any means. FWIW, I've polled ~10 players on site in DC ranging from quite good to BBO stars, giving them single dummy the N hand, and 2 find the T2 switch and 8 continue hearts (it was 1 in 7 when I posted this originally which is why I didn't repeat the single dummy problem). There are a lot of places the hand can go differently in addition to the play including either partner bidding 6M, S showing the double fit, N not bidding 5♠ and maybe E will not bid 6♣, etc.

Does anyone play any conventions to help with these sac decisions? One I've heard of before, that obviously would have been handy on this board, is that in a situation where you have an agreed suit to potentially sac in then the first person to bid over the candidate slam (South here) will X with exactly 1 trick on defense and pass with either 0 or 2+. Then partner with 2+ tricks on defense when passed to will also pass (and set the contract), and with 0 or 1 tricks when passed to will X (which partner then sits for with 2+ and sacs with 0). If original actor X showing 1 trick then partner can sit with 1+ tricks or sac with 0. That way you always know if you can set the contract (assuming you are each right self evaluating your 1 or 2 tricks). In exchange, you do give up the leitner double in this type of contested auction. On this auction, playing this system, S would X and N would sit for it and it would be very clear to cash the two major A on the first two tricks. We don't play this system though (but clearly every disaster calls for a scientific gadget ).

Ah well, there's always next year. Congrats to the team from Kentucky that beat us and then that won the event today.

[Codo]

I am really surprised that some of you all give count with an honour. I had played the 7 at trick one playing standard count and the 3 otherwise.

And the question is never where we should switch to. Partner has 10 major cards. Even if he has 3 Diamonds, declarer must have four for us to have a void. Impossible given the bidding.

So if this is a cash out situation, shall we cash a second heart or a a spade is the only possible question.

It is norths responsibility to figure out whether south has 2 or 4 hearts.

Both is " nearly impossible". South does not hold four hearts, because he had bid 4 Diamond with both majors or 6 spade with a 6/4 hand and if he holds two hearts, it does not matter, because declarer cannot get rid of all his losers in the majors anyway.

So the blame goes 100 % to south for not showing his hand in the bidding. This had lead to a set or to a cheap insurance.

[cherdanno]

Codo, on Jul 27 2009, 05:47 AM, said:

I am really surprised that some of you all give count with an honour. I had played the 7 at trick one playing standard count and the 3 otherwise.

Come on Roland. This is an urgent count situation, why do you want to preserve a heart honor? If you play the 7, partner won't know whether you have QJ73 or QJ7.

[Jlall]

cherdanno, on Jul 27 2009, 09:50 AM, said:

Codo, on Jul 27 2009, 05:47 AM, said:

I am really surprised that some of you all give count with an honour. I had played the 7 at trick one playing standard count and the 3 otherwise.

Come on Roland. This is an urgent count situation, why do you want to preserve a heart honor? If you play the 7, partner won't know whether you have QJ73 or QJ7.

but it's an HONOR!

[pooltuna]

sfi, on Jul 26 2009, 01:56 AM, said:

I would take the signal as attitude since South is the one who has a much better idea of which trick to cash than North does. South needs to play the most discouraging heart at trick one to get a spade switch, and the queen doesn't look like the right one.

North might still get it wrong, but North will definitely continue hearts after an encouraging signal.

this gets my vote