[Phil]

I played this hand yesterday. In the end, its probably just an exercise in percentages, but its interesting nonetheless.

Scoring: IMP

pass - pass - 1S - 1N
dbl - pass - 2H - pass
pass - 2N - pass - 3C
dbl - pass - 3H - AP

---

You may not agree with the bidding.

The opening lead is a small trump. You don't ask what 2N is but you can probably figure it out.

Plan the play.

[jdonn]

Sorry to distract from the play problem but I hate hate hate hate pulling the double of 3♣. I already showed weakness when I pulled the first double, and I have an AK of what partner will probably lead.

Also sorry to be dense but can I ask what 2NT was? Some will play it's minors, some play it's natural, and it makes a huge difference since in one case the 1NT overcaller would have a singleton diamond.

[Phil]

jdonn, on Nov 6 2009, 12:01 PM, said:

Sorry to distract from the play problem but I hate hate hate hate pulling the double of 3♣. I already showed weakness when I pulled the first double, and I have an AK of what partner will probably lead.

Also sorry to be dense but can I ask what 2NT was? Some will play it's minors, some play it's natural, and it makes a huge difference since in one case the 1NT overcaller would have a singleton diamond.

OK 2N is natural.

[gnasher]

I ruff a club, cash two spades and crossruff.

[jdonn]

Editing stupidity...

[Phil]

gnasher, on Nov 6 2009, 12:08 PM, said:

I ruff a club, cash two spades and crossruff.

Are you going to count tricks at some point?

[Fluffy]

its crossruff vs stablish your hand

I think if you stablish your hand you are doomed, losing always 2 spades and 3 diamonds, or less spades but trumps unless ♥J is doubleton.

But crossruff just needs that we can ruff teh 4 clubs in hand. Much more solid line IMO.

[Phil]

Fluffy, on Nov 6 2009, 12:20 PM, said:

But crossruff just needs that we can ruff teh 4 clubs in hand. Much more solid line IMO.

I hate to sound like an a-hole here, but how do you propose to do this on a trump lead?

[gnasher]

Oh yes. I ruff a club, cash two spades, crossruff, and claim one down.

[aguahombre]

gnasher, on Nov 6 2009, 11:18 AM, said:

Oh yes. I ruff a club, cash two spades, crossruff, and claim one down.

that works.

[Fluffy]

Phil, on Nov 6 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

Fluffy, on Nov 6 2009, 12:20 PM, said:

But crossruff just needs that we can ruff teh 4 clubs in hand. Much more solid line IMO.

I hate to sound like an a-hole here, but how do you propose to do this on a trump lead?

It requires RHO to have 7 black cards and ♥J or 8 black cards, or 7 black cards and not ♥98, well maybe comparable to stablishing yourself after all, still I think that cross ruff is best.

[cherdanno]

Fluffy, on Nov 6 2009, 01:39 PM, said:

Phil, on Nov 6 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

Fluffy, on Nov 6 2009, 12:20 PM, said:

But crossruff just needs that we can ruff teh 4 clubs in hand. Much more solid line IMO.

I hate to sound like an a-hole here, but how do you propose to do this on a trump lead?

It requires RHO to have 7 black cards and ♥J or 8 black cards, or 7 black cards and not ♥98, well maybe comparable to stablishing yourself after all, still I think that cross ruff is best.

You don't have the entries to even try to ruff four clubs.

[Fluffy]

damnit I suck

[aguahombre]

Fluffy, on Nov 6 2009, 11:54 AM, said:

damnit I suck

if this is the first time you have been wrong on a forum, welcome. The rest of us have been there, done that --multiple times

[Fluffy]

nah, but its the third time today hehe

[dellache]

Honestly I saw nothing better than the obvious line which is to hope for ♥Jx and 4-3 Spades.

I saw many ridiculous lines though, but none of them work better .
Awaiting your solution with impatience.

Regards,

[Phil]

I played as suggested; I ruffed a club and tried to ruff out the spade. It worked - the ♥J didn't fall but ♠QJx did. +140.

After mulling over, I think a much better line is playing a spade to the 9.

It works on the actual layout, and also works with ♠Hxx on your right as well as the actual layout. You also make with any 4-3 spades and the ♥Jx of hearts falling (but you'll know that when they lead the 2nd heart.