Articles›Declarer Play›Interactive Problem 5
Interactive Problem 5
7 minutes
Mon, Oct 09, 2023Gavin WolpertDeclarer PlayVideo: Bridge Hand
Articles›Declarer Play›Interactive Problem 5
7 minutes
Mon, Oct 09, 2023Gavin WolpertDeclarer PlayVideo: Bridge Hand
Comments
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I've only just discovered this scheme of yours for teaching bridge principles. I have to say it is a great way for getting immediate feedback. Reading articles in books and magazines is all very well but actuating plans and playing tricks in the right order is a vital skill that we all need to develop and this is what you are trying to do here. On the above hand I started as you did with a spade duck but then played it more like a dummy reverse by ruffing clubs and the extra spade in hand. Is this an acceptable alternative plan?
Hi Ray, Thanks I definitely think the best way to learn the game is by actually experiencing problems, making mistakes and getting immediate feeedback. That is what I'm trying to provide with the software/videos. The important thing to consider is your risk of being overruffed in the process. As long as you plan your entries right, that line of play should be just as safe but you have to be very careful not to expose yourself to the jack of hearts. I think it is cleaner to ruff the diamonds in the dummy since the likelihood that west has 4 diamonds when they already have 5 spades and at least a couple clubs is significantly lower.
Would you play the same way if west had not bid spades (if west opened 1 diamond)? Let's say after K-A and no hi low from east. It seems like here you would be risking the contract for an overtrick. But the overtrick would be odds on, so I am thinkng, yes, most likely worth the risk (at least for MP's). (This question is on interactive problem #5). Thanks. Totally enjoy the problems.
I think you've done well enough to get to game on this hand that its probably not worth risking the contract for the overtrick. The king of clubs rates to be onside, but I think from matchpoint equity you probalby already have a 70% board locked up just for bidding game with these cards.
Good point. Thanks again for the problems and for the timely response.
You said the line might have a problem with 6-1 spades, but if they ruff T2 they are ruffing your spade loser and can't get back to LHO so you're back to 10 tricks, at least it won't cost. And now you can draw 2 trumps before losing diamond, as you don't want LHO to win and get your ♠A ruffed. Nice ending, I didn't notice the ♦T growing so ruffed the club back - Bridge Master would have punished me.
There is nothing to punish. First, note that if RHO doesn't have last diamond, then opponents are always getting 1 more trick (either J of H overruffs when you try to ruff diamond, or you just pull trump and give up side suit trick). If he does have the diamond, then he has exactly the Jack of H, Q of D, and a club, so when you ruff a club back, he follows, and then your diamond ruff is guaranteed to hold up, and you win the A of H as the last trick. If instead you ruff spade back as Gavin shows, now if he pitches diamond, the 10 of D grows up as Gavin showed. If he pitches club, your diamond ruff will once again hold up. If he ruffes in, you overruff, and cross ruff. So, as I said before, nothing to punish, you did great.