TALES OF AKARANA 3

For the latest post on Latest News as the analysis shows North can be successful for the board 18 in 4  played by North only if the defense makes an error or two and even then their declarer play would have to be exceptional. This leaves us with pondering what defensive errors would allow this contract to make.

I came up with this illustrative imaginary example of what may have transpired: 

Good pairs often use defensive signals to convey information to partner to assist them with the defense. However, if the defense blindly use defensive signals to show suit preference etc declarer can sometimes be successful because of the opposition's 'good' defense. 

Let say the opposition play odds and evens discards (odd to encourage that suit, even to show suit preference). After a  lead declarer plays off two rounds of , they then ruff  low, play A then another  West covering with J, North making the superb play of ruffing semi - high with the 9. West discards the 'useless' Q to indicate to partner they have a holding in  (high even). North then ruffs the last  with J. As East can't lead a  and they can prevent declarer getting to table West discards their carefully preserved  T to indicate a  preference to their partner (high even). Unfortunately they 'couldn't' show a spade preference with a low  discard as they were both even. Due to their 'good' defense East and West now both have information about each other's spade holdings. Declarer has already played with extraordinary imagination to this point to give their opponents an opportunity to make an illustrative error. Not many would have made the semi-safety play of the 9 for their first ruff of  at the table.

This now leaves:

                                                       T9x

                                                       AKQ6

                                                       -

                                                       -

   A82                                                                                                   KJ76

   T7x                                                                                                    8xx

   K                                                                                                         -

   -                                                                                                          -

                                                          Qxx

                                                          -

                                                          Q98x

                                                          -

Declarer now leads a  from South's hand and discards a  when West covers with K, simultaneously utilizing a loser - on - loser play and throw in. Whether East now discards a  or ruffs, the contract is secure due to 'good' defense. East and West's careful signaling and self elimination of the side suits has unfortunately allowed both East and West to be end played forcing both to either open the  suit first or lead a  if they win the trick.

Perhaps this or something similar was the reason for the 'errors' that allowed the two superb declarers to make this contract on the night.  Well done Richard for making this contract yourself!

Started by SEAN LYNCH on 26 Oct 2018 at 05:45PM