Crane strikes down opponent

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2 total messages Started by Rob Buchner Thu, 04 Apr 1985 05:28

#401

Author: Rob Buchner
Date: Thu, 04 Apr 1985 05:28

15 lines
1361 bytes

I've heard of awe power before, but this last weekend an elderly
gentlemen actually keeled over dead playing against Barry Crane.
Heart attack. I guess the pressure was too much. Anyway, on a lighter
side, here is a hand from the tournament. Whats the best line of play:

S:Kxxx		The final contract is a more than reasonable 6H.
H:KJxxx		Unfortunately your right hand opponent shows up with
D:Qx		JTxx of spades. Suddenly the contract isn't so clear
C:9x		cut anymore. How do you proceed? This is IMPS. By
		the way, I was the east defender. Hearts break 2-1, east
S:AQxx		holding only one. The declarer at my table wasn't up to 
H:AQxxx		making the hand. He gave me a chance to set it and I did.
D:A		Unfortunately one of my teammates blew his opportunity
C:AQx		to shine at the other table also.

Re: Play this hand

#403

Author: William J. Laubenheimer
Date: Fri, 05 Apr 1985 10:01

29 lines
1914 bytes

>S:Kxxx		Contract: 6 H by South.
>H:KJxxx	East has 4 spades and 1 heart.
>D:Qx
>C:9x
>
>S:AQxx
>H:AQxxx
>D:A
>C:AQx

First off, I am going to assume I got a major-suit lead (you didn't say).
The best line I can see will make if West has diamond king or club
jack-ten, or if East has club king. To get this, I draw trumps and cash
any remaining high spades in hand plus the diamond ace. Then I cross
to dummy in trumps and lead the diamond queen. If the king does not appear,
I throw my spade loser, and West's return eliminates my club loser via
ruff-sluff or free finesse. If East plays the king, I ruff, cross to the
king of spades, and pull the club 9, just covering East's card. If clubs
are friendly, I still make.

It doesn't look like you can get a reasonable position if you want to
play East for the diamond king; if you duck a club, a pointed-suit
return breaks up your squeeze communication. There is no double squeeze,
since you must ruff out one of your threats to get to 11 tricks. So
I'll just take the endplay-or-good-club-lie shot. Did I make it?

                                        Bill Laubenheimer
----------------------------------------UC-Berkeley Computer Science
     ...Killjoy went that-a-way--->     ucbvax!wildbill

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