29 Two way throw in

29 Two way throw in

One of the many advantages of duplicate bridge with hands produced by the Duplimate machine is that after the session there is a hand record with an analysis by Deep Finesse of the theoretical optimum result on each deal. Often these rely on an unlikely lead or taking an off-centre view but just occasionally a gem is found amongst the dross. The following deal will appeal to those with an eye for the beauty of the game.

ª A K 8

¨ 4 3 2

§ Q J 10 9 8 2

ª 10 5 ª Q 7 6 4 2

¨ Q 10 9 5 ¨ K 7

§ 6 4 § 3

ª J 9 3

¨ A J 8 6

§ A K 7 5

Playing with a strange partner I arrived in 6NT. That is not a great contract but does at least have the advantage of simplicity. The duplication in hearts makes it unlikely and it will only succeed if West has both ¨K and ¨Q or if East has four or more diamonds with ªQ or West four or more diamonds and ªQ 10 in which case he can be squeezed in diamonds and spades[1]. ªQ might also drop. Since that was not the case we scored -50 and moved on. But the hand record showed that 6§ could be made. It took me a couple of minutes deep thought (pun intended) to see how. As an exercise play the hand in 6§ with ª10 lead. From the lead East will hold five or six spades to ªQ. West’s hand will thus contain at most two spades and two or three clubs, two in fact. So the chance of either the squeeze (requiring West to hold seven or more hearts) or both diamond honours in East is fairly poor.

There is another chance in 6§ which is not available in 6NT – if diamonds are 3-3 one can be conceded, one discarded on ©K and one ruffed to establish the last. That option destroys the squeeze so the two lines cannot be combined. A priori (mathematician speak for I don’t know what is happening) 3-3 in diamonds is not a good bet but slightly better than both diamond honours in West (24%). But when both are combined it does seem a better bet than the squeeze, especially since good defenders can break up the squeeze.

As I said, try to make 6§ double dummy as the cards lie with ª10 lead before reading on.

Clearly, if West can be persuaded to keep ¨K there is a trump strip against West after two rounds of trumps, ©A K and ¨A have gone the position becomes:

ª A 8

¨ 4

§ J 10 9 8

ª 5 ª Q 6 4 2

¨ Q 10 9 ¨ K

§ -- § --

ª J 9

¨ J 8 6

§ K 7

When ¨4 is played from dummy East is fixed and has to lead either a spade or give a ruff and discard.

So clearly East will discard his ¨K at the first opportunity.

Now the position becomes: