[MarkDean]

I started reading Adventures in Card Play by Geza Ottlik and Hugh Kelsey, enjoying it so far.

Early in the book, they give a double dummy 7NT problem. I thought 7NT has got to be the easiest contract to make double dummy...but it definitely took some work. Thought y'all might enjoy it:

---

Spade ten lead.

[qwery_hi]

MarkDean, on Apr 13 2010, 08:21 PM, said:

I started reading Adventures in Card Play by Geza Ottlik and Hugh Kelsey, enjoying it so far.

Early in the book, they give a double dummy 7NT problem. I thought 7NT has got to be the easiest contract to make double dummy...but it definitely took some work. Thought y'all might enjoy it:

---

Spade ten lead.

If I'm not wrong, the key to the whole hand is what spade is played from dummy on the first trick. Its not the usual choice.

[Jlall]

There is one very similar to this in bridgemaster...it's cool!

[CSGibson]

hidden try at it:

Spoiler

play the 7 of spades, winning with the A or Q, depending on what righty plays. finesse the diamond, cash the ace, and cash four hearts, pitching a small diamond. Assuming LHO pitches two spades on the first two tricks with West to discard, W will be down to ♠98 ♦J ♣K973. If W discards a club or a diamond he is obviously done, so let's assume a spade discard. Declarer then plays the J of spades to the ace, finesses the club, and plays the 4 of spades to the 5, squeezing W in the minors.

[MarkDean]

CSGibson, on Apr 13 2010, 10:23 PM, said:

hidden try at it:

  play the 7 of spades, winning with the A or Q, depending on what righty plays.  finesse the diamond, cash the ace, and cash four hearts, pitching a small diamond.  Assuming LHO pitches two spades on the first two tricks with West to discard, W will be down to ♠98 ♦J ♣K973.  If W discards a club or a diamond he is obviously done, so let's assume a spade discard.  Declarer then plays the J of spades to the ace, finesses the club, and plays the 4 of spades to the 5, squeezing W in the minors.

That is basically it, but:

Spoiler

you have to be a bit careful if he pitches a diamond as well, in my mind that is actually the prettiest ending.

[bd71]

CSGibson, on Apr 14 2010, 12:23 AM, said:

hidden try at it:

Spoiler

play the 7 of spades, winning with the A or Q, depending on what righty plays. finesse the diamond, cash the ace, and cash four hearts, pitching a small diamond. Assuming LHO pitches two spades on the first two tricks with West to discard, W will be down to ♠98 ♦J ♣K973. If W discards a club or a diamond he is obviously done, so let's assume a spade discard. Declarer then plays the J of spades to the ace, finesses the club, and plays the 4 of spades to the 5, squeezing W in the minors.

I was headed in this direction too...but is West really done if he discards a club at the key 7-card ending you note? If he throws a club, when you come to hand in spades, you can take your 4 clubs but then I think you are left with a low losing spade.

[Free]

MarkDean, on Apr 14 2010, 06:51 AM, said:

CSGibson, on Apr 13 2010, 10:23 PM, said:

hidden try at it:

<!-- HIDDEN begin --><span class='hiddenpost'>  play the 7 of spades, winning with the A or Q, depending on what righty plays.  finesse the diamond, cash the ace, and cash four hearts, pitching a small diamond.  Assuming LHO pitches two spades on the first two tricks with West to discard, W will be down to ♠98 ♦J ♣K973.  If W discards a club or a diamond he is obviously done, so let's assume a spade discard.  Declarer then plays the J of spades to the ace, finesses the club, and plays the 4 of spades to the 5, squeezing W in the minors. </span><!-- HIDDEN end -->

That is basically it, but:

Spoiler

you have to be a bit careful if he pitches a diamond as well, in my mind that is actually the prettiest ending.

Spoiler

Still overtake ♠J with the Ace, and lead your ♦. Now LHO is squeezed again. If he lets go a ♠ you have an extra entry. So he should let go a ♣, on which you discard your ♠. Now you lead ♣T.

[CSGibson]

bd71, on Apr 13 2010, 11:32 PM, said:

CSGibson, on Apr 14 2010, 12:23 AM, said:

hidden try at it:

  play the 7 of spades, winning with the A or Q, depending on what righty plays.  finesse the diamond, cash the ace, and cash four hearts, pitching a small diamond.  Assuming LHO pitches two spades on the first two tricks with West to discard, W will be down to ♠98 ♦J ♣K973.  If W discards a club or a diamond he is obviously done, so let's assume a spade discard.  Declarer then plays the J of spades to the ace, finesses the club, and plays the 4 of spades to the 5, squeezing W in the minors.

I was headed in this direction too...but is West really done if he discards a club at the key 7-card ending you note? If he throws a club, when you come to hand in spades, you can take your 4 clubs but then I think you are left with a low losing spade.

If he discards a club, then you lead a small spade to hand, not the jack. The king falls.

[rbforster]

I liked the unguarding diamonds variation. Are there any permutations where playing the J at T1 doesn't work?

[CSGibson]

Rob F, on Apr 14 2010, 11:56 PM, said:

I liked the unguarding diamonds variation. Are there any permutations where playing the J at T1 doesn't work?

yes, they can pitch a club in the 7 card ending I highlighted, leaving you with a spade loser.