0012 - Forgoing a Trump Finesse

Safety Play #001 – The term safety play is usually used to refer to the line of play that guarantees making the contract against any lie of defenders cards, but may sometimes refer to the line of play that gives the best chance of making the contract.

This deal (rotated) was played September 18, 2014 / Hilton Head BC.

This deal was analyzed by the GIB bridge software (used on BBO) and the contract of 5 ♥ was set, down one (-1). Is it possible to find a line of play to make 5 ♥ against any lie of defender's cards (the safety play)?

West's opening lead T1 is the ♠ A and when East plays the ♠ 8 (suit preference) shifts to ♦ 6 ... before playing to diamonds, declarer (South) can count enough tricks (1-spade ruff + 4-hearts + 2-diamonds + 4-clubs = 11 tricks) if hearts are limited to just 1-loser.

Where T2 is won should be based on how declarer plans the play of hearts. So how should hearts be played? 

HHI Bridge blog

Earlier this year (2014) I decided to spend less time on administrative and governance activities of bridge and re-focus on studying, teaching, coaching, writing, and playing bridge, the technical activities of bridge.  As a result, I have been testing formats: this blogger website HHI Bridge blog (http://hhibridge.blogspot.com/) and a Facebook social media page also called HHI Bridge (https://www.facebook.com/hhibridge) each with the identifier "hhibridge". 

The blog has proven to be far more robust and lends itself more towards technical bridge writing - not only my observation, but unanimous among the feedback received from readers.   The Facebook page now only references to this blog.  Thanks to everyone, as always, feedback is welcome.

Fred Ferguson (fergusfe)
fergusfe@gmail.com

0011 - Aunt Mary's 7♥

Goulash (bridge) #001 – In the bridge world deals like this are often called Goulash bridge where the suits are more unevenly distributed among the players, creating wild deals.

Polly Thomason from Okatie Creek DBC gave me this deal from her neighbor's Aunt Mary ... the challenge is making 7 ♥.  East's hand was not disclosed.

With the opening lead of the ♣ K, how should this deal be played to make 7 ♥?

0010 - 2-Way Trump Promotion

Trump Promotion #003 – This deal is 3 of 3 (3/3) on the cardplay technique of trump promotion by position. This thread will flow better to start with deals ...

0008 - Avoiding a Trump Promotion A trump promotion is the defensive strategy of creating a trump trick (or tricks) by forcing the premature use of a trump card. One of the cardplay techniques of achieving a trump promotion is to make a trump trick in passing playing behind an opponent who needs to trump.

0009 - Seeing the Trump Promotion A trump promotion typically happens when the defender (short in trumps) is on lead through an opponent and the defender (long in trumps) is playing behind and both are void in the suit being lead. This forces the opponent to prematurely play a high trump to win the tricks allowing for a trump promotion.

This deal (rotated) was played September 6, 2014 / Unit 252 NAP Championship.

The reopening double by North on this deal is extremely gutsy, my partner would have bid spades with a crappy 4-card spade suit.

West's opening lead is the ♣ 5. After three rounds of clubs (T1-T2 -T3) East considers the lead options for T4 ... what should East consider? how should East continue?

0009 - Seeing the Trump Promotion

Trump Promotion #002 – This deal is 2 of 3 (2/3) on the card play technique of trump promotion by position – playing behind an opponent who must trump to win the trick. This deal focuses on seeing the trump promotion position. As defender if you cannot see the trump promotion, you will not be able to employ the technique, and as declarer if you cannot see the trump promotion, you will not be able to plan for the contingency.

This deal (rotated) was played September 4, 2014 / Hilton Head BC.

South is in a 4 ♠ contract where North/South have combined 27 hcp (29 shortage points). 

After an opening lead of the ♦ 4, South plays 3-rounds of diamonds (T1, T2 and T3) pitching a club on the third diamond trick to avoid the possibility of 2-club losers. Can you see the trump promotion position?

0008 - Avoiding a Trump Promotion

Trump Promotion #001 – A trump promotion is the defensive strategy of creating a trump trick (or tricks) by forcing the premature use of a trump card. One of the cardplay techniques (coup) of achieving a trump promotion is to make a trump trick by position in passing (en passant) playing behind the opponent who needs to trump.

This deal was played by Eileen Griffin with Fred Ferguson September 3, 2014 / Hilton Head BC.

This contract is very reasonable North/South have combined 24 hcp (26 shortage points). Of the 12 times this deal was played it was played in 4 ♠ - 10 times and in 3 NT - 2 times (go figure).

The opening lead by West is the ♣ A and East gives an encouraging signal with the ♣ 6. West follows with the ♣ 3 to East's ♣ Q. East returns the ♣ 4 ... how should Eileen (South) play this deal?

0007 – Don Buchanan rule

Playing Intermediates #005 – What makes the play on this deal special is not some bedazzling card play (cardplay) technique, but that the play (other than by a 10 year old) focuses on fundamental cardplay techniques. Often, very often, taking care of the fundamentals is all that is required.

This deal (rotated) was played by Emma Knight of Hilton Head Junior Bridge HHJB with Fred Ferguson August 23, 2014 / Hilton Head Island BC.

There is nothing special about the auction 2 ♠ is a reasonable contract - 2 ♠ was played 6/9 times the deal was played.

Upon first review, the side suits seem well situated supporting ♥ KQ and ♦ KQ with respective shortness and solid values ♣ AKQ in clubs. The trumps (spades) seem to be missing a few honors, but the intermediate ♠ 10 and ♠ 9 do give some values to base the play. 

So how should Emma play this deal?