Conference turris::bridge

	I'm tempted to throw Dx on this one to avoid the spade tap, but
	is it really necessary?  I'd rather they not switch to a diamond.

	It looks like spades are AKQ opposite Jxx.  I can make 5 on a 3-2
	heart split by ruffing, and finessing HJ.  Assume this loses and
	a spade comes back (both follow?).  HK (Both follow?) - claim.

	Too easy.  Diamond comes back.  Dx-DQ-DK-DA, HK (Both follow?),
	CA, HA, CJ, S-ruff (both follow?) - claim.  If spades were 4-2,
	I'm at the mercy of a 4-1 club split.

	So assume hearts are 4-1 (HQ offside)...

	Finesse loses, spade tap.  HK (Bad news), assuming spades were 3-3,
	sx pitching diamond.  When spade is ruffed, win return, cross to CA
	and pull last trump with HA - claim.

	Too easy.  Finesse loses, diamond return - Dx-DQ-DK-DA, HK (Bad news)
	spade-ruff (3-3?) HA, CK, ST pitching diamond - concede top heart.

	I can't figure out all the lines on 4-2 spades...  It can't be KQ
	opposite AJxx, as you wouldn't lead from KQ-tight on this auction.
	On the other hand AKQJ opposite xx is a fine lead, and RHO is
	discouraging because he has a natural heart trick. (QTx).  Aha!

	So the right line is to ruff at trick two, cash HK, and lead HJ.
	RHO must cover, so win HA (3-2 split?)  Now cash C-KJ and lead Cx
	back to hand.  You'll lose 1 spade, 1 trump, and concede a diamond
	at the end.

	If hearts are 4-1, you're down, unless HQ was stiff.

	-Dave

    Dave, 6 hearts are outstanding.
    
    If S are 3-3 (as appears), then set them up (two H rounds in the
    process); run S while keeping a trump, and let opps make 2 trumps. 
    
    Else, after 2nd S ruff, you'll have to decide whether to:
    (a) rely on 3-3 H (and the hand winning your H exit not having S), or
    (b) if 4-2 H, then the trump-hand not having S and holding DK, 
        (several possible developments along this line).

	I want to first apologize for the hands which I posted using a
non-equispacing font, because they end up looking very ragged.  For the hand
below, I return to clumsy old Courier and get things lined up again.

	The tough 4H hand which Bill posted is Board 18 and looks like this:

Board 18                  North-  S- 5
Dlr: East                         H- A9543
Vul: N-S                          D- Q9
         West-  S- A43            C- AQ763      East-  S- KQJ
                H- QT76                                H- 82
                D- T543                                D- KJ876
                C- 85     South-  S- T98762            C- T92
                                  H- KJ
                                  D- A2
                                  C- KJ4

I had a little trouble locating this hand, as it was a totally different
defense at the other table.  To demonstrate the lack of concept of our
opponents, I was on lead as West after an auction of P-2S-P-P-P.  I did not
find the optimum defense to let us score enough of our top trumps separately,
so we gave up -140 when we could hold it to -110.  Bob did not find a
miraculous way to make 4H ( I don't see it looking at all four hands, and
will be very interested in Bill's proposed line), so they were -100, losing 6
IMPs -- one of only three losses in 24 boards.

						-- Alan

  But Alan, SK makes it doesn't he ?  After SK,SQ ruffed, HA, HK, spade
 ruff, CJ, spade, the defender ruffs, and can draw the last trump, but
 then concede the remainder, or switch to diamonds, whereupon spades
 continue, still making.  I think RHO must overtake SK and switch to D
 to beat SK's line as the cards lie.

  Not that I'm sure SK is right.  BC ruffed SQ, finessed HJ, diamond switch.
 At which point, I think he's dead.  You cannot afford heart finesse as
 it is.  But as SK points out, he needs spades 3-3 or HE'S dead, and
 will go down even with H-Qxx on his left.  Card reading.  SK decided
 spades are 3-3.  BC thought about it at the table, but didn't do it.

  bb

It seem to me that by taking the heart finesse I would make most of the time
when any of the following three things happened:
	1. The HQ was on side
	2. Hearts were 3-3
	3. The DK was with the HQ
	4. The HT drops doubleton

There is also the chance that RHO doesn't return a diamond when it with the HQ,
for example if holding the DJ and not the DT. I might then also be able to
revert to spades.

After having watched a number of hands with these oppoenents defending, the
only inference that I was able to draw from RHO following up the line in spades
was that RHO had to follow suit.

It wasn't right on Tuesday, but was it a reasonable try?

    Well, you make not only if S split (see .2). But if they
    overtake SK to lead D then...it's a different problem
    altogether. 
    
    BTW, opps bidding (or the lack of it) and first 2 spade tricks 
    suggest 3-3 spades more than anything else. Most unlikely one
    leads from bare SKQ in opps 5+ carders possibly headed by AJT. 
    Else, SAKQJ would imply falsecarding; it also opens bidding
    avenues, facilitating, say D, where they have 9 cards. Yet, it's
    very possible to lead from KQJ or AKQ to force declarer when 
    holding 2 or 4 trumps (knowing that decl has 5+2).