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Leading to KJx from xxx, all other things being equal. Is this 50-50 or is their an edge to be gained from playing the K or J?
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KJx
#1
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- Joined: 2008-September-05
Posted 2009-October-07, 21:58
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#2
- Group: Yellows
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- Joined: 2003-July-22
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- Interests:Juggling, Unicycling
Posted 2009-October-07, 22:07
What are you aiming for?
If you need one trick quickly then play the king.
If you need the maximum play the jack as there is no way to get two tricks after the king successfully won the first round (except the very unlikely stiff queen offside).
If you need one trick quickly then play the king.
If you need the maximum play the jack as there is no way to get two tricks after the king successfully won the first round (except the very unlikely stiff queen offside).
Wayne Burrows
I believe that the USA currently hold only the World Championship For People Who Still Bid Like Your Auntie Gladys - dburn
dunno how to play 4 card majors - JLOGIC
True but I know Standard American and what better reason could I have for playing Precision? - Hideous Hog
Bidding is an estimation of probabilities SJ Simon
I believe that the USA currently hold only the World Championship For People Who Still Bid Like Your Auntie Gladys - dburn
dunno how to play 4 card majors - JLOGIC
True but I know Standard American and what better reason could I have for playing Precision? - Hideous Hog
Bidding is an estimation of probabilities SJ Simon
#3
- Group: Admin
- Posts: 21,422
- Joined: 2004-August-21
- Gender:Male
Posted 2009-October-08, 00:05
Ignoring singleton or doubleton honors in the opponents' hands, there are 4 possibilities:
1. AQx offside. It doesn't matter what you do, you're not getting any tricks in the suit.
2. AQx onside. You'll take two tricks if you play the J the first time and the K the second time, but only one trick if you play the K the first time.
3. A offside, Q onside. You'll take one trick either way.
4. A onside, Q offside. You'll take one trick either way.
So in the only case where it makes a difference, you need to play the J to maximize your tricks.
As Cascade said, the only other issue is whether you can afford to lose the lead. If you're in a close contract, and you just need to steal one trick, play the K.
1. AQx offside. It doesn't matter what you do, you're not getting any tricks in the suit.
2. AQx onside. You'll take two tricks if you play the J the first time and the K the second time, but only one trick if you play the K the first time.
3. A offside, Q onside. You'll take one trick either way.
4. A onside, Q offside. You'll take one trick either way.
So in the only case where it makes a difference, you need to play the J to maximize your tricks.
As Cascade said, the only other issue is whether you can afford to lose the lead. If you're in a close contract, and you just need to steal one trick, play the K.
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