[PFormaini]

Scoring: IMP



South opens 2NT. North raises to 3NT.

West leads the ♦2

---

If you Defend, specify all your key plays.

If you Declare, state your line of play.

[matmat]

sorry, if i get to choose to defend i get to choose my opening lead.

[jjbrr]

matmat, on Feb 1 2010, 08:01 PM, said:

sorry, if i get to choose to defend i get to choose my opening lead.

+1

[PFormaini]

matmat, on Feb 1 2010, 08:01 PM, said:

sorry, if i get to choose to defend i get to choose my opening lead.

Sorry.

If you actuallydefend, you don't get to see the other 3 hands before making a decision.

[matmat]

PFormaini, on Feb 1 2010, 08:09 PM, said:

matmat, on Feb 1 2010, 08:01 PM, said:

sorry, if i get to choose to defend i get to choose my opening lead.

Sorry.

If you actuallydefend, you don't get to see the other 3 hands before making a decision.

i also don't lead the ♦2 from that hand.

[matmat]

also, anyone have an idea of which book this was stolen from?

[PFormaini]

matmat, on Feb 1 2010, 08:09 PM, said:

PFormaini, on Feb 1 2010, 08:09 PM, said:

matmat, on Feb 1 2010, 08:01 PM, said:

sorry, if i get to choose to defend i get to choose my opening lead.

Sorry.

If you actuallydefend, you don't get to see the other 3 hands before making a decision.

i also don't lead the ♦2 from that hand.

Gee - I;m sure the multi-time World Champion who led the diamond will be crushed by the opinion of some nobody.

[jdonn]

I think the best thing to do in these threads is make as many posts as possible that don't answer the question. Anyone with me?

[PFormaini]

jdonn, on Feb 1 2010, 08:22 PM, said:

I think the best thing to do in these threads is make as many posts as possible that don't answer the question. Anyone with me?

If it involves showing that your bridge skills are minimal, I'd say you have proposed the perfect solution.

What better evidence would one need?

I'd post an easier question, but sadly they don't get much easier than this without resorting to Flash Cards and crayons.

[655321]

If one line of play takes 9 tricks, and another line of play takes 8 tricks, what is the swing (in number of tricks) between these lines?

[matmat]

655321, on Feb 1 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

If one line of play takes 9 tricks, and another line of play takes 8 tricks, what is the swing (in number of tricks) between these lines?

17

[jdonn]

If this multi-time world champion is so good, can he play the first 6 or 7 tricks for me before I make my decision?

[PFormaini]

655321, on Feb 1 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

If one line of play takes 9 tricks, and another line of play takes 8 tricks, what is the swing (in number of tricks) between these lines?

Well, let's see now.

If we're talking the same pair, 1.

If we're talking one pair or the other, then we're talking 17.

Much as if I loan N-S 9 dollars, but they give me back 1, I am out $8 - while if I loan N-S 9 dollars and then have to loan E-W 8, I am out $17.

Unless, of course, you are stupid enough to think that one side taking either 8 or 9 tricks and one side taking 8 while the OTHER takes 9 can both be said to constitute the same thing - a '1-trick difference'.

But considering some of the folks here, mathematics can hardly be said to be their strong suit.

[jdonn]

Ok fine I'll answer the question. I choose to defend 7NT.

[nigel_k]

Answer hidden:

Spoiler

East has to duck AD as otherwise there is no entry to the long club and declarer can just concede a heart, ducking clubs twice if necessary.

If declarer now plays a heart, defence just play on clubs and there is no ninth trick without losing to AD and defence have five winners. If declarer plays a second diamond at trick two East wins and defenders lead clubs twice then a third diamond, leaving West with a good diamond when he wins KH.

Cashing spades doesn't appear to create any pressure as they can afford heart discards. So I vote defence.

The people who complained about the diamond lead can instead choose a heart and let it make if they want.

[PFormaini]

nigel_k, on Feb 1 2010, 08:47 PM, said:

Answer hidden:

Spoiler

East has to duck AD as otherwise there is no entry to the long club and declarer can just concede a heart, ducking clubs twice if necessary.

If declarer now plays a heart, defence just play on clubs and there is no ninth trick without losing to AD and defence have five winners. If declarer plays a second diamond at trick two East wins and defenders lead clubs twice then a third diamond, leaving West with a good diamond when he wins KH.

Cashing spades doesn't appear to create any pressure as they can afford heart discards. So I vote defence.

The people who complained about the diamond lead can instead choose a heart and let it make if they want.

Nigel:

Good to see there is at least 1 mature adult here!!!

Very nice! Your key play is precisely what is required.

Good job!!!!

The hand is from the 1955 European Championship - and discussed in Bridge World magazine - both in the Fall of 1955 and again in August 2002 - where the solution you posted was 'discovered' after having escaped the eyes of the editors and thousand of readers for over 45 years. (Previously, your solution had NOT been considered definitive.)

Jean Besse - one of the best players who ever lived - found your solution at the table!!

[shyams]

matmat, on Feb 2 2010, 01:34 AM, said:

655321, on Feb 1 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

If one line of play takes 9 tricks, and another line of play takes 8 tricks, what is the swing (in number of tricks) between these lines?

17

me too. I am now totally convinced it is 17

[Cyberyeti]

Nigel, you know very well they'd all have led the Q♣ in the post mortem until dummy came down with K10xx rather than partner.

[gwnn]

PFormaini, on Feb 2 2010, 01:39 AM, said:

655321, on Feb 1 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

If one line of play takes 9 tricks, and another line of play takes 8 tricks, what is the swing (in number of tricks) between these lines?

Well, let's see now.

If we're talking the same pair, 1.

If we're talking one pair or the other, then we're talking 17.

Much as if I loan N-S 9 dollars, but they give me back 1, I am out $8 - while if I loan N-S 9 dollars and then have to loan E-W 8, I am out $17.

Unless, of course, you are stupid enough to think that one side taking either 8 or 9 tricks and one side taking 8 while the OTHER takes 9 can both be said to constitute the same thing - a '1-trick difference'.

But considering some of the folks here, mathematics can hardly be said to be their strong suit.

hm what does this mean? google translate doesn't have Formiani.

[ONEferBRID]

WD, Nigel