[Hanoi5]

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The bidding might have been 5♠ by East Pass-Pass-Pass, but I'm not sure.

♣A and then ♣K. I ruffed in dummy throwing a heart from hand. How should I tackle trumps?

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Low to the 9.... ( playing the DBLer for a stiff ).

Even if it loses, I can finesse again later.

[ If the first finesse loses to a stiff honor, note how s/he is stuck for a return ] .

[Antrax]

Does returning a club give declarer an extra trick?

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Antrax, on 2012-June-23, 08:43, said:

Does returning a club give declarer an extra trick?

If you mean after winning the finesse, returning another ♣ gives Declarer another ruffNsluff... thereby eliminating a ♥ loser.

[Phil]

TWO4BRIDGE, on 2012-June-23, 08:35, said:

Low to the 9.... ( playing the DBLer for a stiff ).

Even if it loses, I can finesse again later.

[ If the first finesse loses to a stiff honor, note how s/he is stuck for a return ] .

What if LHO returns a trump?

[TWO4BRIDGE]

Phil, on 2012-June-23, 09:28, said:

What if LHO returns a trump?

You win of course, and then have to rely on the ♦ finesse and 3-3 break ( in order to pitch the other losing ♥ ). If no 3-3 ♦, then have to fall back on the ♥ finesse which is favored to lose.

[lalldonn]

TWO4BRIDGE, on 2012-June-23, 10:18, said:

You win of course, and then have to rely on the ♦ finesse and 3-3 break ( in order to pitch the other losing ♥ ). If no 3-3 ♦, then have to fall back on the ♥ finesse which is favored to lose.

You have red suit squeeze if diamonds don't break.

[Zelandakh]

No comments on the bidding?! What was the redouble meant to be?

[gwnn]

In vacuum, ace-then-low is almost as good as the double finesse (wins against KQ tight offside, loses against KQx and KQxx onside, every specific 2-2 is more likely than every specific 3-1 but not enough to make up for the missing 4-0) and is usually preferable because of entry problems and/or the threat of defensive ruffs. Here, none of that seems applicable and doubler is also less likely to have KQ tight than in vacuum. I agree with disagreeing with xx. Without any special methods W can bid 3 or 4S.

[Hanoi5]

KQ were tight offside. I thought double-finessing twice was better, but maybe the double and lho sacrificing should push declarer towards Ace and another?

I told North the redouble was 'creative'. I recommended showing a limit support via 2NT, but the hand looks like a mixed raise, doesn't it? How can that be shown?

[gwnn]

Hanoi5, on 2012-June-25, 05:10, said:

I told North the redouble was 'creative'. I recommended showing a limit support via 2NT, but the hand looks like a mixed raise, doesn't it? How can that be shown?

Some people use 3M-1 for a mixed raise. It's not a bad treatment. I think when you're NV it is very useful, but maybe when V it is not worth it as making preemptive jumps on nothing is not advisable then.

You're right about sacrificing, I didn't think about that. Anyway I don't think there's a big difference either way. I usually play ace and another with this trump suit but that is because I want to conserve my brain cells for another day (see also gnasher's post on bridge forum vs bridge simulator).

[gnasher]

Offensively, this looks like a limit raise to me. xxxx Kxxx Axx xx would be an above average mixed raise, and this is a trick stronger than that.

I wouldn't do either of those, though. Rather than letting LHO get his clubs into the game, I'd just bid 4♠ on the first round.

[gwnn]

gnasher, on 2012-June-25, 06:24, said:

Offensively, this looks like a limit raise to me. xxxx Kxxx Axx xx would be an above average mixed raise, and this is a trick stronger than that.

I wouldn't do either of those, though. Rather than letting LHO get his clubs into the game, I'd just bid 4♠ on the first round.

Out of curiosity, what is a minimum preemptive raise for you at this vulnerability?

[cherdano]

I can't imagine North bidding 5♣ with ♠KQx. He has a weak hand with a likely 6-card suit, I just can't imagine him saving with his only strength in spades. So I would play ace and another.

I think anything but 4♠ by responder is a mistake. However, an immediate mixed raise with some jump to the 3-level would be less of a mistake than 2NT or redouble. Would have been nice to play 4♠, right?

[gnasher]

gwnn, on 2012-June-25, 06:40, said:

Out of curiosity, what is a minimum preemptive raise for you at this vulnerability?

QJxx xx xxxx xxx

[Statto]

Hanoi5, on 2012-June-23, 07:12, said:

How should I tackle trumps?

As the doubler is more likely to be short, I'd go for the double finesse, getting to back to table with ♥A if need be. I'd also play South for ♦Q if necessary.

Had I perhaps already made that choice when I ruffed in dummy?