[manudude03]

---

For the sake of argument, the contract is 6NT by S. IMPs scoring. Looks innocent enough, but be careful
Lead: ♥4.

Adv+ hide answers.

[han]

I must admit I don't understand the dangers, so I don't see any need to hide my answer.

If we take 5 diamond tricks we make it, if we don't then we very likely don't. The question is whether to hook immediately, or to cash a high diamond first. Both work when diamond split 3-2, neither will work when LHO has 5 diamonds or RHO has 4+ diamonds. The latter will work when RHO has a singleton honor, 3 cases. The former will work when RHO has a small singleton, two cases. So against perfect defense it seems better to cash a high honor before leading towards dummy.

However, against less than perfect defenders it may be better to win in hand and lead the diamond 8. LHO might split or hesitate to split with QJ10x. Most opponents are also unlikely to play the 3 from HH32. If LHO huddled and played the 3 I would hook. Else go up and enter dummy and hope RHO plays an honor.

[pooltuna]

han, on 2011-January-01, 08:40, said:

I must admit I don't understand the dangers, so I don't see any need to hide my answer.

If we take 5 diamond tricks we make it, if we don't then we very likely don't. The question is whether to hook immediately, or to cash a high diamond first. Both work when diamond split 3-2, neither will work when LHO has 5 diamonds or RHO has 4+ diamonds. The latter will work when RHO has a singleton honor, 3 cases. The former will work when RHO has a small singleton, two cases. So against perfect defense it seems better to cash a high honor before leading towards dummy.

However, against less than perfect defenders it may be better to win in hand and lead the diamond 8. LHO might split or hesitate to split with QJ10x. Most opponents are also unlikely to play the 3 from HH32. If LHO huddled and played the 3 I would hook. Else go up and enter dummy and hope RHO plays an honor.

I don't see the button to hide your response but you should look closely at the spots and you will see 3 holdings that can be guarded against. Sorry about lack of specificity but I am trying to be abstruse since I can't hide my response.

[manudude03]

pooltuna, on 2011-January-01, 09:26, said:

I don't see the button to hide your response but you should look closely at the spots and you will see 3 holdings that can be guarded against. Sorry about lack of specificity but I am trying to be abstruse since I can't hide my response.

type [ spoiler ] at the start and [ /spoiler ] at the end (no spaces in the []'s)

[nige1]

han, on 2011-January-01, 08:40, said:

Against less than perfect defenders it may be better to win in hand and lead the diamond 8. LHO might split or hesitate to split with QJ10x. Most opponents are also unlikely to play the 3 from HH32. If LHO huddled and played the 3 I would hook. Else go up and enter dummy and hope RHO plays an honor.

Spoiler

IMO Han advocates the right line but he under-rates how hard it is for ordinary players to find at the table. Simple probabilities are difficult enough for us, without the extra subtlety of psychological considerations.

[han]

I still don't know what pooltuna is talking about, I mentioned 5 holdings that can be guarded against, not 3.

[JLOGIC]

han, on 2011-January-01, 08:40, said:

However, against less than perfect defenders it may be better to win in hand and lead the diamond 8. LHO might split or hesitate to split with QJ10x. Most opponents are also unlikely to play the 3 from HH32. If LHO huddled and played the 3 I would hook. Else go up and enter dummy and hope RHO plays an honor.

I'm so proud <3

[pooltuna]

han, on 2011-January-01, 10:51, said:

I still don't know what pooltuna is talking about, I mentioned 5 holdings that can be guarded against, not 3.

The guilt is probably mine as I was tired and did not carefully read your entire post

Spoiler

you just had to guard against diamonds dividing QJ32-T; QT32-J; and JT32-Q. My gut says not to worry about QJT3-2 and QJT2-3

[manudude03]

---

I was only in 3NT when this occurred (both hands underbidding). According to the movie, only 1 other pair made 12 and East split honours on the first round there.