The Blame Game - Spring 2008 - Problems
This is the first in what I hope will be a continuing feature in the twice year Suffolk magazine, Table Talk.
Everyone in the Suffolk county squad has received a copy as well as a few team-mates and ex-partners from farther a field - and there were quite a few to choose from. Anyone replying to the copy on the Suffolk website will also get a personal email next time.
The idea of The Blame Game is to look at partnership situations in the auction or defence that have not ended well and decide why. There may not be a clear assignment and "60% west, 20% east, 20% fate" would be perfectly acceptable, as would "100% east" if you think it is clear-cut.
I would like comments to understand your decision and, unless you indicate otherwise, I may quote you in the resulting Table Talk article.
I have tried to avoid difficulties with system by choice of problem. In an effort to make this as relevant to county readership as possible, unless stated otherwise, it should be assumed that you and opponents are playing a weak no-trump with four card majors in the modern English tradition. I hope to cope with divergences and reminders by footnotes.
I look forward to hearing from you - I won't be shy about issuing a reminder or two so have a go now while it's in front of you. Answer by reply - the best approach is to select 'plain text' if you are able. Any questions, qualifications or suggestions for future problems similarly.
Question 1.
| EW Vul. | ♠ A8 | ♠ J52 | |
| Pairs | ♥ Q1098 | ♥ AK52 | |
| ♦ 5 | ♦ AJ942 | ||
| ♣ J109864 | ♣ A |
| Pass | 1♦ | ||
| 1♥ | 4♣1 | ||
| 4♠2 | 4NT3 | ||
| 5♦4 | 6♥ |
1. Splinter, no agreement about singleton honours
2. Control
3. Key card ask
4. One key card
A spade lead from ten-fifth scuppered this contract despite suits breaking favourably.
Question 2.
| Love All, Dealer East | ♠ KQ7 | ||
| IMP Multiple Teams | ♥ 96 | ||
| ♦ 7 | |||
| ♣ A987643 | |||
| ♠ J653 | ♠ A942 | ||
| ♥ QJ105 | ♥ AK432 | ||
| ♦ 6432 | ♦ QJ | ||
| ♣ 2 | ♣ J10 | ||
| ♠ 108 | |||
| ♥ 87 | |||
| ♦ AK10985 | |||
| ♣ KQ5 | |||
| West | North | East | South | |
| 1♥1 | 2♦ | |||
| 3♥2 | 4♣ | Pass | 5♣ | |
| End | ||||
1. Five card major
2. Pre-emptive
| Trick | 1 | Heart ace, seven, queen, six | |||
| 2 | Heart four, eight, ten, nine | ||||
| 3 | Diamond six, seven, jack, king | ||||
| 4… | Top trump in south, ruff diamond with club ace, claim | ||||
Question 3.
| Game All | ♠ Q | ♠ A942 | |
| Pairs | ♥ K1062 | ♥ AQ53 | |
| ♦ Q1086 | ♦ A52 | ||
| ♣ AQJ10 | ♣ K2 |
| 1♦ | 1♥ | ||
| 2♥ | 4NT1 | ||
| 5♥2 | 5NT3 | ||
| 7♥ | |||
1. Key card ask
2. Two key cards, ho heart queen
3. Ask for number of kings
No miracles - down one.