[nielsfoged]

---

Matchpoints: large inhomogeneus field.
Lead ♠4 (2nd/4th) to 3, J and 7.
♠K, T, 2, 8
♠Q, A, 5*, ♥5 [* ♠5 not 4, edited on July 10]
♦Q, 2, 3, 5
♦J, 7, ...8(?), 6 (that could have been the problem, but not here!)
♦4, K, A, ♣4
Which card from the Table now, and why (does it matter whether your opponents are mediocre or strong)?

/Niels

[wclass___]

If I read it correctly and LHO has ♠ xxxxx, then ♣Q followed by ♣ duck seems like the best chance to make this.

Going down more that one probably isn't a big issue...other likely partscores most probably make.

[lalldonn]

Well I can partly answer, if your opponents are weak then I'm sure queen of clubs is right. If they aren't then it might be right anyway but I'm not at all sure.

[wank]

why did i duck t2 when the nice lady was so generous with telling me what her spade holding was?

[gnasher]

♣A is more likely to be with North than South, because if South had it that might give him an opening hand.

I'd play ♥A and duck a heart. I hope to find hearts 3-3, with the extra chance that North is endplayed with some holding like Q10 where he didn't manage to unblock.

[nielsfoged]

wank, on 2012-July-08, 17:32, said:

why did i duck t2 when the nice lady was so generous with telling me what her spade holding was?

That is a good point, which indicate that opponents are maybe not the only ones to be mediocre

[nielsfoged]

gnasher, on 2012-July-08, 17:41, said:

♣A is more likely to be with North than South, because if South had it that might give him an opening hand.

I'd play ♥A and duck a heart. I hope to find hearts 3-3, with the extra chance that North is endplayed with some holding like Q10 where he didn't manage to unblock.

The point about a possible opening hand in South is valid, but you seem to play for down 1 (at least)? 4♠+1♥+1♣

/Niels

[gordontd]

nielsfoged, on 2012-July-09, 01:52, said:

The point about a possible opening hand in South is valid, but you seem to play for down 1 (at least)? 4♠+1♥+1♣

/Niels

Where do four spade tricks come from?

[FrancesHinden]

I don't understand the thread title.

[gordontd]

FrancesHinden, on 2012-July-09, 02:32, said:

I don't understand the thread title.

I understand it, but thought I would be accused of being humourless/PC if I said I thought it was rather sexist.

I wonder how many couples take the "man and wife" option for their wedding ceremony? Probably mainly those who also choose to say the woman should "obey".

[gwnn]

FrancesHinden, on 2012-July-09, 02:32, said:

I don't understand the thread title.

In Dutch cards are called "ace", "man/sir", "woman/wife", "farmer". I think this is origin of the thread title and not sexism (but it took me a while to realise this). I don't know whether OP is Dutch, but my partner routinely calls the queen "wife" in English.

[gnasher]

nielsfoged, on 2012-July-09, 01:52, said:

The point about a possible opening hand in South is valid, but you seem to play for down 1 (at least)? 4♠+1♥+1♣

Sorry, I misunderstood what spades had been played, and I thought spades were 4-4.

[gordontd]

gordontd, on 2012-July-09, 02:10, said:

Where do four spade tricks come from?

Ah, I see now. I thought you were using the other notation for cards played.

[Phil]

There's two ♠4's in the deck.

(An absurd example of playing the card you are known to hold).

[nielsfoged]

Seems I need to add a couple of apologies for distracting from the actual bridge problem (which I hope you afterall agree is there):

1) Apologies to all of you with English as first language. The title "Man or Wife" was not intended as sexist or discriminating, except that I hoped it would indicate to you that the pick of next card most likely would be between leading up to ♣K or leading ♣Q. I hoped it to be funny, but probably then should have restricted the audience to Dutch or Danish players (not that being from these small, flat countries and having slightly more flexible upper lips would guarantee any amusement either) - so sorry

2) And more importantly please excuse me for having included two ♠4: The third trick was ♠Q, A, 5, ♥5! strongly indicating the original ♠-suit in N to be 96542.

/Niels

[Zelandakh]

nielsfoged, on 2012-July-09, 16:27, said:

strongly indicating the original ♠-suit in N to be 96542.

More than that, it should indicate that if that was the original spade holding then North has a club entry (or has false-carded).

[lowerline]

Zelandakh, on 2012-July-10, 01:42, said:

More than that, it should indicate that if that was the original spade holding then North has a club entry (or has false-carded).

Exactly. So you must play North for 5-3-3-2. Play the ♣Q (which North must duck) and duck a club to his ace next. Opps make 4 spade tricks and 1 club for just made.

Steven

[kwic]

Well, there is no answer to your question because :

If you feared the split to be 5-3, the J and K showed the Q, so you should have taken the 2nd round.
Assuming that you took the third round, then it could only be if you thaught the split to be 4-4 and then, you can play whatever you want in clubs.