| The Big Hand Face up Helps Defense |
Show Detail |
This hand was played for 3NT 4 times making 4 once, 3 twice and -1 once. The analysis shows it can make 3NT by either East or West. However, West is at great disadvantage. First because the big hand is face up on the table eliminating a lot of guessing by N-S. Second, the "normal" lead of a fourth down spade puts Declarer on a guess at trick 1. Study the deal then look at the answer tab.
|
| Show Answer |
First about "the guess" at trick 1. Look at the "Play it Again " tab; select 3NT by West. All leads show EW take at least 9 (the subscripts of 4 show at this point the best NS can do is take 4 tricks. Now select a low spade and the view changes to dummy. Here is the surprise! The Queen has a subscript of 8 IF the Q is played EW are headed to down 1 absent further errors by NS in play.
While all problems resolve if East opens 2NT after the 2♣ 2♦ 3♦ sequence I think West needs to bid one of the majors in the hope East will now make the NT call thus avoiding the big hand being on full display. If the worst happens and the major gets raised West can run to 5 diamonds. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Best Lead is the Worst Defense |
Show Detail |
On thIs hand from 10/8's 299 game the standard leads result in the woest defense.. I wasn't there IDK but I suppose the auction went as shown above. North to lead
|
| Show Answer |
I don't know about you but I a'm going to lead K from KQ on one of the two suits headed by the KQ .. Now if you press the "Play it Again" option and select the choice of West playing Diamonds You will see those are essentially the ONLY leads that allow West to make 5. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Really Boring But the Biggest Hand I Have Ever Seen |
Show Detail |
On this hand I am going just show the big hand and under the Answer tab explain how we arrived at 7 No Trump.
|
| Show Answer |
So how did we get to 7NT? By mistake. Rob held Qxxx in Diamonds and Jxxxxx in Cubs and doubletons in both majors. He decided after my 2 Club open to bid 3NT. We play 2 Hearts as a bust. (no Ace, no King.) While I could not imagine what he had except he must have the K of spades. So I dropped the 7NT card. After the lead (not a spade) I laid out the dummy on the table. At trick 12 he hooked the spade making 7. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Impossible Spade |
Show Detail |
|
| Show Answer |
There is lots of room for "Partnership Understanding" here. I held the East hand and certainly the case can be made for a call of 3♦ rather than 2♦ . But I favor "New Suit Forcing" by an unpassed hand, which brings us to West. What to do?? The hand is tailor made for the "Impossible Spade." The first bid by West of 1NT denies a four card spade suit, period. Thus, a bid now of 2♠ can be used to show maximum values and a raise in Diamonds. The treatment is referred to as the Impossible Spade. Of course, it seldom if ever comes up, but it did 9/11/25, Hand 25. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Nearly Impossible to Defend |
Show Detail |
Double Dummy the computer says 4♥ is down 1. Even Double Dummy I think it is hard to find.. I have put one solution and the Traveler in the Answer.. If you have another defense to set 4♥ down 1 please put it in the comments.
|
| Show Answer |
Here is the deal again. followed by my solution. The Traveller is last.
Solution opening lead small club (imposible to find i think). Esst must return a trump. Now it becomes "either or". Either south goes up with the ace and tries to set up a spade ruff by leading a low spade. If so west must take the spade, cash the Heart King followed by a second spade (2S 1H 1C down 1) If South ducks the heart west wins the King and returns a heart. E/W now wait.. E has to sit tight with Qxx of Diamonds and west has to hold AK of spades and A of Clubs. Ultimately E/W will add either 2 spades or Q of Diamonds and 1 spade to the two tricks they have. Here is the traveler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Hard to Bid (at least for me.) |
Show Detail |
This hand was played 7/31 and seems to present problems on how to arrive at an optimum result. One possible response for North is under the "Answer Tab" along with the analysis and traveller. Please continue the discussion in the comments section.
|
| Show Answer |
I think the Answer is "One No Trump" based upon less than 10 HCP and lack of at least a 4 card fit with the opening Diamond. So how should the auction go from there? If you played this hand on 7/31 how did it go at your table? Here is the Analysis and Traveler from Bridgewebs Results tab.
Rob and I reached 3NT (North) like this 1♦ 1NT 2♥ 3♣ 3NT and clearly this time "Off one" was not good bridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Free Double |
Show Detail |
In the auction as shown E/W missed an opportunity for a free double.. When North makes the 4♦ call there will be one of two outcomes N/S are either making their contract or N/S are going down.. Well true on every final contract you might say either it makes or it does not. However on this well bid auction by both sides E/W should know one more thing if N/S can make their bid E/W are getting a bad board. Likely if the contract makes 4♦ a zero is in the works for E/W.. So now the only thing foe E/W to do is double.. If it makes it makes a zero by any amount is exactly the same but if the contract is doubled and goes down the double in all likelihood will improve the outcome. Traveler maybe found in the Answer tab.
|
| Show Answer |
Traveler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bidding Problem 7/24 Open Game (Copy) |
Show Detail |
I picked this hand for several reasons.. First I totally missed the best contract of 4 Hearts and The second best of 5 Clubs then I played the 1NT to making one when I should have Made 2.. Any recommendations on a good auction?. I am all ears. The Trsveler is hiding in the Answer box.
|
| Show Answer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|