[lamford]

---

IMPs.

You lead the ace of clubs against what looks like a normal game and partner plays the 4, normal attitude. What now?

[Tramticket]

It looks normal to me to switch to the ♦Q. Am I getting end-played if I do that?

[Cyberyeti]

Tramticket, on 2018-May-29, 07:28, said:

It looks normal to me to switch to the ♦Q. Am I getting end-played if I do that?

What I was wondering about was declarer having AKQxxx, AQx, x, Qxx and now you need partner to win the diamond and play a club, if you lead the Q he will duck.

Unfortunately I can't find something guaranteed to work against both this and 10x/Qx in the minors

[lamford]

Cyberyeti, on 2018-May-29, 07:34, said:

What I was wondering about was declarer having AKQxxx, AQx, x, Qxx and now you need partner to win the diamond and play a club, if you lead the Q he will duck.

Unfortunately I can't find something guaranteed to work against both this and 10x/Qx in the minors

If you went back in your Tardis and led the king of clubs, partner will again play the four, normal count. Your go now, and I will allow you the UI from the previous Doctor that partner does not have the queen of clubs.

[Tramticket]

lamford, on 2018-May-29, 08:39, said:

If you went back in your Tardis and led the king of clubs, partner will again play the four, normal count. Your go now, and I will allow you the UI from the previous Doctor that partner does not have the queen of clubs.

So now you play the ♦J?

[lamford]

Tramticket, on 2018-May-29, 08:55, said:

So now you play the ♦J?

No, you have to just exit with a major card, as declarer has ♠AKQxx ♥Axx ♦A7 ♣Qxx and if you switch to a high diamond, declarer ducks in both hands. If you switch to a low diamond declarer captures the eight with the ace and then leads the 7 and ducks if you play the jack or queen, or rises if you don't. Unfortunately the declarer was up to that and I was not up to finding the major suit exit.

[corrected changing ♦8 to ♦7 - yes it is crucial!]

[Cyberyeti]

lamford, on 2018-May-30, 05:44, said:

No, you have to just exit with a major card, as declarer has ♠AKQxx ♥Axx ♦A8 ♣Qxx and if you switch to a high diamond, declarer ducks in both hands. If you switch to a low diamond declarer captures the ten with the ace and then leads the 8 and ducks when you cover perforce. Unfortunately the declarer was up to that and I was not up to finding the major suit exit.

I'd pay out to that, looks more like a game try than a 4♠ bid to me

But can't declarer still make by winning a spade lead on the deck and playing a diamond towards the 8 ?

[lamford]

Cyberyeti, on 2018-May-30, 06:47, said:

I'd pay out to that, looks more like a game try than a 4♠ bid to me

But can't declarer still make by winning a spade lead on the deck and playing a diamond towards the 8 ?

Sorry it was A7 doubleton; mea culpa. And now when declarer wins the trump in dummy and plays a diamond, partner has to put in the eight. If you switch to a top diamond, declarer ducks in both hands. If you switch to a low diamond, declarer captures the eight with the ace and leads the seven, and you are caught in a Morton Fork. Yes, I agree that with only A7 doubleton it is only worth a game try. With A8 doubleton there would be no defence, so bidding game is reasonable!

[Tramticket]

lamford, on 2018-May-30, 08:24, said:

Yes, I agree that with only A7 doubleton it is only worth a game try. With A8 doubleton there would be no defence, so bidding game is reasonable!

With AT you drive to slam?

[Cyberyeti]

lamford, on 2018-May-30, 08:24, said:

Sorry it was A7 doubleton; mea culpa. And now when declarer wins the trump in dummy and plays a diamond, partner has to put in the eight. If you switch to a top diamond, declarer ducks in both hands. If you switch to a low diamond, declarer captures the eight with the ace and leads the seven, and you are caught in a Morton Fork. Yes, I agree that with only A7 doubleton it is only worth a game try. With A8 doubleton there would be no defence, so bidding game is reasonable!

Not only does partner have to play the 8, you have to unblock a top one

[lamford]

Tramticket, on 2018-May-30, 09:13, said:

With AT you drive to slam?

And with A9 you use last train ...