Bridge players game arranging thread

[TCO]

I didn't know what an end play was, when you said that, Bird. I have read about them now in the holy book. They are pretty neat! I think I've even sort of used them in a halfassed way as a declarer. What I did was throw opponents in when I hoped they could help me by being forced to lead. I don't think I ever really did this in the systemetic way that Goren discusses, though. (Where you have an idea of opponnents hand and know that he will be forced to help you.)

Basic idea of an end play is to eliminate the safe leads for an opponent and than throw him into the lead by giving hima trick (that he would have won regarless.) With no "safe" leads left, the defender is forced to lead away from his high cards (or to create a ruff in suit contracts) thus giving declarer an extra trick.

More coming....

[TCO]

In this case, I'm expecting that opp will duck the heart return (if not, we can end up getting 3 h tricks.) So myn partner will win. And probably return a spade. Dummy presumably ducking, forcing me to win.

At this point, I can't really figure out the intricacies of how the end play would work and what to do to stop it. I can obviously see that leading from spades has a lot against it. And that leads from clubs and diamonds may also be bad depending on the particular case. hearts is the suit that gives me a free exit to toss the hand back at declarer. But he will presumably cash that trick (or toss me in twice.) Not sure what he will do with clubs and diamonds. Presumably he can make 3 or 4 diamonds by ruffing through me. He also might cash the a of clubs before the final throw-in to make me lead up to dummy.

Either a sp or a club might be what he uses to throw me in. I need to think it through a little more to udnerstand the end play danger and how to defend against it. Usually the way to defend against an end play is to toss a high card of yours under the opponent in such a way as to force the throw in trick to go to your partner (who has attractive leads.)

[TCO]

In this case, I'm also not sure how opponent would know enough to construct an end play. How does he know that I've got all the high cards? Is this something that he has to assume, to make the contract?

[TCO]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Leading a small heart back won't help, because the declarer will let it ride and see what your partner plays. If your partner cashes the honour, the Jack in dummy will be good. If he doesn't, declarer wins with the Jack (again good) and finesses you for the Queen of clubs.

The whole thing is your partner is unlikely to have an entry into his hand other than the honour in hearts, so leading a heart back will put him in a vice.

Bad defense I say.

opp will duck with the king (or queen) and your partner will play his honor. After this, the declarer's remaining honor and jack in dummy will fall on each other. Yes there is no way for your partner to get back in after that. (well maybe there is a slight chance if he has the 10 of diamonds...)

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Bird
him dummy
sp Jxxxx Ax
h Hxx J9x
d AKxx J9
c A KJ7xxx

I fully expect the declarer to play the nine of hearts from the dummy, or else I'd play the eight. That way I either end up with a cheap trick, or the declarer must lead from his hand, which is the second best thing you can hope for.

[TCO]

9 of hearts already played at trick one.

[TCO]

Bird, do you want me to think a little harder? I was trying to slime out without figuring out the end play. But if you think I need to try harder here, I will give it another shot...

Or you can give me a hint!

[Urban Ranger]

The general rule of thumb is, if you are the LHO of the declarer, lead to the strength of the dummy. If you are the RHO, play to the weakness of the dummy. This way, you avoid giving your opponent a free finesse.

[Urban Ranger]

Also, HTML does have codes for spades ♠, hearts ♥, diamonds ♦, and clubs ♣. Too bad all the suits are in black

[TCO]

your diamond came out as a square (not tilted).

[TCO]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
The general rule of thumb is, if you are the LHO of the declarer, lead to the strength of the dummy. If you are the RHO, play to the weakness of the dummy. This way, you avoid giving your opponent a free finesse.

Um....yeah. That's just the basic concept of play through strenght and to weakness. Applies to all players...not just dummy.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by GP
your diamond came out as a square (not tilted).

That's a problem with the typeface (font). The symbols look ugly at my end too.

Got any interesting hands to share?

[TCO]

I have an interesting topic. NO puzzle hands though.

[TCO]

the other suits looked good.

[Urban Ranger]

Not necesary puzzle hands. Hands and games that are memorable for one reason or another, such as a seemingly bad play is actually the only way to defeat the contract.