#20101214: PLAY OR DEFEND OR? – Part II

I stayed up all night reading the answers and writing this. OK, maybe I’m psyching. Actually, I got so exhilarated that I fainted, and didn’t wake up for hours.

Anyway, I’ve got enough time only to get this started and at least give you what is probably the toughest part of the solution. I know that everyone is holding his or her breath for all of this stuff!

First, here is a link to the original problem (for your convenience).

The beginning of the solution: DEFEND! AND YOU MUST LEAD A SPADE, FOR STARTERS!

At least that is my opinion, which is never wrong unless it’s not right. So blast away if you think I’ve screwed up!

Sorry, but I don’t think that those who chose to PLAY or DEFEND but led a non-spade came up the winning approach. However, you have plenty of other company anyway. After the spade lead, the defense still has work to do. I’ll get into more detail later.

There were numerous replies including quite a few from leading national and international players. Some even wrote a Ph. D. bridge thesis on the problem! A significant percentage chose to defend, but it’s not so clear to me that anyone really had a correct, reasonably complete explanation(*). However, you can explain your case to the director — Unfortunately, I guess that’s me. Probably better for you is to appeal. So I’ll put your solution & case on here w/ or w/o your name. I’m sure everyone will agree that they are completely objective! J

I can also open the whole problem to a general discussion, if I can surmount some Comcast problems. Or maybe blog somewhere. More about that later.

(*) This is why:

1. Many who led a spade said they also would lead one at the next opportunity, regardless if they went into a lot of cases or not. However, I believe that can be shown to be incorrect in the case indicated below. Therefore, such replies don’t make it either.

2. Of the others who led a spade, quite a few went into some detail. However, most did not consider the case when declarer wins it in either hand, and then PLAYS A DIAMOND AT TRICK 2. Of those who did, NO ONE LED ANOTHER DIAMOND! I think the defense MUST do that.

I would have liked that those who more or less just said it was right to lead a spade w/o much detail to at least mention this case.

In problems that require a trump lead, often another is required when possible, but I don’t think so in this situation. In addition, there is the old saying, “When both sides lead the same suit, one side crazy!” I think these are some of the things that make this a good problem.

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Sorry, that’s all for now. I’ve got to switch from bridge madness to other lunacies of the world! I hope to be back with more about the problem later tonight.

In the meantime for those who want to pursue it some more —

One of the main aspects mentioned in various replies is that in some variations declarer is trying to set up a heart-club squeeze on West. How does South try to do that, and how does the defense counter it? (i.e., such as #2 above. 🙂 )

See ya later!

Al, the Plumber of the Depths of Lunacy!