[661_Pete]

I was faced with the following, playing 4♠ from South. Pairs MPs, Love all dealer S. I'd opened 2NT - a point shy of 20-22 but with two J-10's - and East had doubled my partners 3♥ transfer, presumably to show some strength and his ♥ suit.

---

W led a low ♥ to E's Ace, and E then returned the 9 (I think it was). I now felt minded to take the ♥ finesse - I felt sure E must be holding AQ and was tempting me to put up the K. With a second ♥ trick I could throw a ♣ and not risk the ♣ finesse.

Alas! My J was covered by W's Q, he returned a ♥ to my K, and now I'm in trouble. Even with the ♣ finesse, I still have two losers. Best I could think of was draw trumps, take ♣ finesse, cash A♦, A♣ and ruff a ♣, then lead a low ♦ from dummy.

Success! E played low and W was in with the J, having nothing but ♣ left to lead! With the ruff-and-discard I was home.

When E apologised for his misplay, I could only sympathise. I didn't deserve to make it!

[The_Badger]

661_Pete, on 2018-November-09, 08:01, said:

I didn't deserve to make it!

I think that one sentence sums up this hand entirely, Pete, but finessing at trick 2 was not unreasonable as that was your plan, but there is no guarantee that West had led low from three to an honour. (Many players lead small from three un-honoured cards these days.)

As they say, it's not over until the fat lady sings the last trick is played

[nullve]

661_Pete, on 2018-November-09, 08:01, said:

I didn't deserve to make it!

Why not?

[zhoraster]

I know some methods against doubled transfer bids on the second level. What about the third level? What would pass, xx, 3♠, 3NT mean here?

Say, if N has three small hearts, 3NT may be better. How does one show both spade support and a good stopper?

[ericba2006]

661_Pete, on 2018-November-09, 08:01, said:

I was faced with the following, playing 4♠ from South. Pairs MPs, Love all dealer S. I'd opened 2NT - a point shy of 20-22 but with two J-10's - and East had doubled my partners 3♥ transfer, presumably to show some strength and his ♥ suit.

---

W led a low ♥ to E's Ace, and E then returned the 9 (I think it was). I now felt minded to take the ♥ finesse - I felt sure E must be holding AQ and was tempting me to put up the K. With a second ♥ trick I could throw a ♣ and not risk the ♣ finesse.

Alas! My J was covered by W's Q, he returned a ♥ to my K, and now I'm in trouble. Even with the ♣ finesse, I still have two losers. Best I could think of was draw trumps, take ♣ finesse, cash A♦, A♣ and ruff a ♣, then lead a low ♦ from dummy.

Success! E played low and W was in with the J, having nothing but ♣ left to lead! With the ruff-and-discard I was home.

When E apologised for his misplay, I could only sympathise. I didn't deserve to make it!

Hey Pete, you may make if you just go up with the ♥K.
If you do, then you'll surely make the contract. Your mistake and East's mistake neutralized each other, leaving you with 4♠ =.

[kuhchung]

I thought you played it well. It must be a favorite for the HQ to be onside for the X, and you found a way to recover in the ending by giving your opponent a chance to go wrong.

[johnu]

The_Badger, on 2018-November-09, 10:35, said:

I think that one sentence sums up this hand entirely, Pete, but finessing at trick 2 was not unreasonable as that was your plan, but there is no guarantee that West had led low from three to an honour. (Many players lead small from three un-honoured cards these days.)

You could have asked the opponents what they lead from 3 small. If it was a pickup partnership, they probably won't have any agreement but it doesn't cost anything to ask. What heart was returned by East at trick 2? If the 2, then West either has a singleton, or 3 hearts. If a higher spot, West could have ♥32 which is another reason to finesse besides the double of 3♥

[johnu]

kuhchung, on 2018-November-13, 13:35, said:

I thought you played it well. It must be a favorite for the HQ to be onside for the X, and you found a way to recover in the ending by giving your opponent a chance to go wrong.

East must have accidentally dropped ♦10 on the table, or misclicked if playing online. Sort of a reverse crocodile coup

[kuhchung]

johnu, on 2018-November-14, 15:34, said:

East must have accidentally dropped ♦10 on the table, or misclicked if playing online. Sort of a reverse crocodile coup

Hey if it worked, don't knock it!