Play by the Numbers

Posted on by


frs1016@centurylink.net
Cy the Cynic defines statistics as some numbers looking for an argument. As declarer, Cy plays by instinct. He pays little regard to “percentage” plays.

Dlr: South ♠ K
Vul: N-S ♥ Q 7 2
♦ J 7 4 2
♣ K Q 9 6 3
♠ 10 8 6 3 ♠ 9 7 5 2
♥ 5 ♥ A J 9
♦ A K 9 5 3 ♦ Q 10 8 6
♣ 10 4 2 ♣ A J
♠ A Q J 4
♥ K 10 8 6 4 3
♦ —
♣ 8 7 5
South West North East
1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass
Pass 2♥ Pass 3♥
Pass 4♥ All Pass

Opening lead — ♦K
When I watched today’s deal, Cy bid boldly to 4♥K as South. He ruffed West’s ♦K and led a trump to dummy’s queen. East took the ace and led another diamond. Cy ruffed again, led a spade to dummy and returned a trump, and when East followed with the nine, Cy … put up his king.

Losing Club

When West discarded, Cy took three spades, pitching clubs from dummy, and led a club. East won and cashed his ♥J, and Cy was left with a club loser. Down one.
“Don’t tell me the percentage play was to finesse with the 10 on the second trump,” the Cynic growled.
Percentages had nothing to do with it. By finessing, Cy assures the contract. When West shows out, Cy is sure of five trumps, four spades and one club. But if West took the jack, Cy could later ruff his third club in dummy for his 10th trick.

Daily Question

You hold: ♠K ♥Q 7 2 ♦J 7 4 2  ♣K Q 9 6 3.
Your partner opens 1♠, you respond 2♣, he bids 2♥ and you try 2NT. Partner then rebids 3♥ . What do you say?

ANSWER
Your partner suggests a hand with five cards in each major and minimum values: He proposes to sign off below game. If you had a hand such as ♠J ♥ Q 7 2 ♦A 7 4 2 ♣A 9 6 3 2, you could raise to 4♥ , but with your actual hand, your minor-suit honors may be useless. Pass.