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Playing second to a trick, I'm often in the situation where RHO leads a spot card, and I have both the lower and the higher spot card. For instance, he leads a 9 and I have the T and the 8. Considering only the trick-taking potential, it's irrational not to cover in that position. However, it occurs to me that from an information standpoint, if I always cover, then if I don't cover, everyone will know I don't hold a "sandwich", and more importantly, whenever I follow an 8 with a 7, for instance, everyone knows I don't have the 9.
Ignoring signalling issues, is there any more to it than that? Is it correct to always cover "freely", or at least always up to a certain spot card?
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The free cover Probably not important, but I'm curious
#1
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Posted 2012-July-26, 00:25
#2
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Posted 2012-July-26, 00:41
If the declarer has AKQ7 in hand and 9xx in dummy, I recommend you don't cover the nine with T8xx 
Maybe you have specific examples, but I tend to think that you will cover with shortness and this won't give anything away because declarer will seldom have a choice of plays in the suit in those cases. With length, you don't cover unless it's obvious to do so.
Maybe you have specific examples, but I tend to think that you will cover with shortness and this won't give anything away because declarer will seldom have a choice of plays in the suit in those cases. With length, you don't cover unless it's obvious to do so.
#3
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Posted 2012-July-26, 04:24
Hmm, good point. So let's say dummy leads and I know nothing about declarer's hand.
#4
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Posted 2012-July-26, 04:49
Another classic example is when dummy has Jxxxx and leads the J. If you cover with QTx, declarer with AK9xx will pick the suit up; if you play low, declarer is unlikely to finesse.
Gordon Rainsford
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Posted 2012-July-26, 04:56
gordontd, on 2012-July-26, 04:49, said:
Another classic example is when dummy has Jxxxx and leads the J. If you cover with QTx, declarer with AK9xx will pick the suit up; if you play low, declarer is unlikely to finesse.
Declarer with A9xx also gets a nice windfall.
#6
- Lamentable Bunny
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Posted 2012-July-26, 05:18
There are other times besides just blowing up a trick in the suit--say you really don't want to win the trick because you'll be endplayed if everyone ducks. Or maybe you want to force partner to win the trick for her own good--even if it costs a trick in this suit.
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Posted 2012-July-28, 01:16
The only time I think it is truly free, and I always do it (although there might be a case where to keep the dangerous hand on lead I wouldn't do it) is when the 2nd hand is dummy and my choice is to play one of the touching cards, then I freely cover.
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