Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

Gamebusters!

Scores  by Richard Pavlicek

During the month of April 2005, these six problems were published on the Internet as a contest open to all bridge players. In each case, after making your opening lead, you had to choose your defense at trick two.

Problem 1

2

3

4

5

6

Final Notes

The Gamebusters return and arrive at our contest site under police escort, as hundreds of onlookers cheer them on. It seems that their ‘replacements’ left the neighborhood in shambles with misdirected proton rounds, destroying 17 refrigerators and countless front doors. You know who you are!

One poor lady’s beautiful home is now condemned due to toxic gas emission from a proton pack, and all she did was call to have her air conditioning serviced. Geez, people! And I’m the one who has to explain all this to the feds, who are threatening to shut down my web site.

Jason Rotenberg Wins!

This contest had 964 entries from 110 locations, and the average score was 40.70. Congratulations to Jason Rotenberg (Connecticut) who submitted the only perfect score. If there’s somethin’ strange in the neighborhood, I guess “Roten in Connecticut” is an appropriate winner. Close behind at 59 was Lajos Linczmayer (Hungary), and three players scored 58: Bruce Neill (Australia), Julian Pottage (England) and Del Knox (Nova Scotia).

Participation was down from the previous two contests (highest was 1153 in February 2005) probably a result of my slime warning. No problem! Keep the riffraff away, and scores will obey, I always say. The average score was the fifth highest ever (highest was 42.75 in February 2002) and 492 players scored 41 or better to make the listing.

In the overall standings, Lajos Linczmayer (Hungary) took over the top spot with a 58.75 average. Next with 58.25 are Charles Blair (Illinois) and Bruce Neill (Australia); followed by Rob Stevens (California) with 57.75, and John Lusky (Oregon) with 57.50.

In the April Bot's Eye View, GIB (US) scored an impressive 52, which was just enough to beat Jack (Netherlands) with 51. Three other bots also topped the average human score — so they’re creeping up on us again. In the overall standings, Jack retained its lead with a 53.25 average over GIB with 52.25.

Bidding is standard, and you use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

Each problem offered six defensive options (A-F) for West after the opening lead was won by South, and South leads to trick two. If West chooses to win trick two, it was also given that partner follows suit with the five.* The merit of each option is scored on a 1-to-10 scale based on my judgment, which is also aided by comments received.

*Conditions emulate what would occur at the table, so this information should not be considered before partner plays to trick two.

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

Scores Top Gamebusters!

Problem 1

IMPs None Vul	9 6 3 Q 9 7 2 A K 4 3 A 8		You West 1 Pass	North Dbl 3 NT	East Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 1 NT
K 10 8 4 2 K J 3 8 6 K 9 5		3 NT South

Trick 1 W 2 S

Lead 4 4

2nd 3 ?

3rd Q

4th A

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
C. Win K; lead K	10	264	27
B. Play the J	9	266	28
A. Play the 3	7	189	20
F. Win K; lead 5	4	135	14
E. Win K; lead 8	3	59	6
D. Win K; lead J	2	51	5

Our slime saga begins with a dual problem: (1) Whether to win or duck the heart, and (2) whether to try to run spades (play South for A-J alone) or try to get partner in for a spade lead (play South for A-J-x).

The bidding marks South with the A, so partner cannot have a quick entry. Can partner hold the Q or the Q? Yes, possibly one but not both assuming South has 12-14 HCP; and the Q is more likely considering the 1  opening. Further, you should rule out South having five diamonds, as this would mean eight top tricks; then declarer could always succeed by running diamonds, catching you in an endplay if necessary. Consider a plausible layout:

IMPs	9 6 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
None Vul	Q 9 7 2		1 W	4	3	Q	A
	A K 4 3		2 S	4	J	Q	5
	A 8		3 N	2	8	A	K!
K 10 8 4 2		Q 5	Declarer fails
K J 3		10 8 5
8 6		9 7 5
K 9 5		Q 10 7 6 3
	A J 7
	A 6 4
	Q J 10 2
3 NT South	J 4 2

Declarer has seven top tricks, and he is about to establish two more in hearts whether you hop or play low. But wait! Watch what happens if you play the jack (Option B) losing to the queen. This only gives declarer one extra trick, and he cannot establish the long heart without letting partner on lead. If he continues with the 2 to the ace, and partner plays the eight*, you should assume 10-8-5 and unblock the king to create an entry to partner’s hand.

*If partner follows with the six instead, you should not unblock because evidence strongly suggests 8-6-5. If partner had 10-6-5, declarer could always succeed by finessing the eight. Some may argue that East might play the eight from 8-6-5 as suit preference (for spades); but suit preference applies only when you have insignificant cards and partner knows it. With the 10 being significant, East cannot tell whether West or South has it, so West may not know that East’s cards are insignificant. Hence, this is not a suit-preference situation.

Look out overhead! Damn! I got slimed on the first board. When creating this problem, I had the above solution in mind. Indeed, it would be correct at matchpoints because it gains a trick more often; but after lengthy study I could not justify it in regard to setting the contract, which is the main consideration at IMPs — not to mention my gamebusting theme.

Hopping and cashing the K (Option C) is necessary if South has A-J A-x-x Q-x-x-x Q-x-x-x (1 is the systemic opening with 4-4 in the minors) which is about as likely as the diagram. With this hand, declarer would always start a low heart*; whereas, in the diagram he can succeed by cashing the A first.** Further, holding A-J-x and A-10-x, declarer might have crossed to dummy to finesse the 10; while the avoidance play is of little concern with A-J bare. Thus, declarer’s line of play fuels the case to rise and cash, so the top award goes to Option C despite its clumsy appearance. Sometimes, simple is best no matter what the ghost of Geza Ottlik whispers in your ear.

*Only other chance is to play for a blank king. Also note that declarer’s play is not strictly an attempt to steal. West’s opening lead is consistent with K-8-5-4-2, so spades could be blocked.

**Even if West unblocks the K under the ace, declarer can force West to win the defenders’ heart trick with the jack. Cashing the ace, however, would be wrong if West has K-10-8 (allows a successful unblock) while leading low prevails. In theory, cashing the ace is slightly better; but leading low is the kind of “error” that experts routinely make.

A few respondents noted that a Smith signal would help after you won the K. Holding three spades, partner would play a high heart to tell you to cash the K; otherwise, you would exit safely in hearts or diamonds, hoping partner might have the Q entry. Unfortunately, this is only food for thought (somethin’ in the refrigerator?) as Smith is not a default agreement. Partner’s play is simply count.

Some respondents who chose Option B suggested that partner would raise spades if he held Q-x-x — no doubt, some would — but this is far removed from standard bidding. How many experts do you suppose would bid 2  on Q-x-x 10-x-x J-x-x J-x-x-x? I can hear the postmortem already, “Sorry, partner; but I had an honor in every suit.”

Third place goes to Option A (ducking but not unblocking the jack) as it still allows the contract to be defeated if South has A-J doubleton (without the Q) or if partner has the Q. Options D, E and F are considerably worse, as partner must have the Q to have a prayer. Among them, I couldn’t find any real difference, so they’re ranked by the voting.

Comments for C. Win K; lead K

Lajos Linczmayer: South’s critical holdings are A-J A-x-x Q-x-x-x Q-x-x-x and A-J-7-5 A-x Q-x-x-x J-10-x. Had South the latter, I should play the J; but he would have ducked the Q.

Imre Csiszar: If declarer needs three heart tricks, the J (then king under the ace) is called for; but an expert could have prevented this brilliant defense by leading the A first. Unless partner is known for very light raises (4 HCP with Q-x-x support and no singleton), it looks more likely that declarer wants to steal his ninth trick, with the J unprotected.

Eric Leong: There is a high probability that declarer has nine tricks when the Q wins. …

Kok-Keong Tan: Partner cannot have the A, and declarer is trying to steal a trick. The [best] chance to defeat 3 NT is that declarer has only two spades.

Steve Cooperstein: Hearts are splitting, and declarer may only need two hearts with Q-J. Partner has very few points and [no likely] entry; …South might have had only two spades.

Sandy Barnes: Partner does not have much strength to add to the Q he already played, so I’ll try to drop the J.

Nicoleta Giura: No time for passive defense; I’m going to play declarer for A-J doubleton. …

Dick Yuen: Partner does not own the J and has no quick entry. I won’t let South steal the Q for his game-going trick…

Kalle Byden: [Best] chance to set contract. Partner has at most 2 or 3 HCP left, so I’ll hope South has A-J doubleton.

Gregg Deitch: For the J to be right, South must have A-J-x-(x) and no 10 [or 8].

Jeffrey Gertz: Not running diamonds? Looks like declarer is trying to steal a ninth trick.

David Grainger: Declarer seems more likely to be trying to steal a ninth trick with A-J tight than to hope partner has the Q or any other chance [for an entry]. Some kind of Smith echo from partner would be really useful on the second trick to give an idea on his spade count.

Brian Meyer: It looks as though declarer could easily have A-J A-x-x…, and if so I [may be] dead unless I hop and cash. …

Erik Lauer: Otherwise, declarer might win the Q, run off four diamonds and a heart, then lead a spade to endplay me [in clubs].

Paul Fauvet: Why didn’t declarer cash his diamonds? Presumably, he has Q-x-x-x…and he must have the A, too… He may be trying to steal his ninth trick…

Tim DeLaney: At first, it looks like I must play the J in an effort to unblock and get partner in with the 10 for a spade through. But why didn’t an expert South start by cashing the A? This would insure that I would be obliged to win our heart trick. South is attempting a swindle holding A-J A-x-x Q-x-x-x Q-J-x-x; if I duck, he has nine tricks.

Damo Nair: I don’t think I’m going to find an entry into partner’s hand.

Bill Powell: Declarer’s failure to start with diamonds is too suspicious.

Nigel Marlow: Partner has about a queen outside at best (over and above the Q already played), so South has the A. Best is to hope South has A-J doubleton.

Tim Hemphill: Aggressive. It may be that South needs his ninth trick and is trying sucker punch me. …

Comments for B. Play the J

Bruce Neill: Tricky. If South has A-J-x A-x-x Q-x-x-x J-x-x, I need to play the J; but declarer could have prevented that by starting with the A first. If South has A-J A-x-x Q-x-x-x-x J-x-x, I need to win and cash out; but declarer should have started by running his long suit. … I’ll go for the exotic entry play.

Julian Pottage: Hope to create an entry for a lead through the J if partner has 10-8-x.

Barry White: Declarer rates to hold A-J-x A-x-x Q-J-x-x J-x-x or so. If partner plays the eight on the next heart lead, I’ll unblock my king. [In some layouts] I can try for A-J doubleton as a second chance if partner can’t get in via 10-8-x.

David Wiltshire: If declarer ducks, I’ll clear spades and hope the K is a second entry. Otherwise, I’ll unblock the K under declarer’s ace, hoping partner has 10-8-x.

David Caprera: If South has A-J A-x-x Q-J-x-x-x J-x-x, I best be flying and cashing; but if A-J-x A-10-x J-x-x-x Q-x-x, I just beat him by not doing anything stupid. But having never been in the Times, and sensing my chance, I am going for the unblock to put partner in with the 10 when South holds A-J-x A-x-x Q-J-x-x J-x-x. I actually have another way to win: If South has A-J A-10-x Q-J-x-x-x Q-x-x, my unblock will generate 12 tricks for declarer, and I still might make the newspaper — although not in the manner intended.

Len Vishnevsky: Playing declarer for something like A-J-x A-x-x Q-J-x-x Q-x-x; then unblock the K under the ace to get partner in for a spade through. [Advantage of Smith echo explained].

John Reardon: If I take the K, declarer will likely have nine tricks unless his spades were A-J doubleton (then Option C is best). However, a more likely South hand is A-J-7 A-6-4 Q-J-9-7 J-10-7, and I can prevail if I play the J.

Rob Stevens: Hoping partner has 10-8-x and [a minor-suit queen]. That’s quite a few perfect cards; but I [may] still be able to try for A-J doubleton if the 8 doesn’t show up on the second round.

John Lusky: My initial reaction was that South was trying to steal a ninth trick, holding five diamonds and A-J doubleton; but if he had that, he could make legitimately by running his suit. This works if partner has something like Q-x 10-8-x x-x-x Q-x-x-x-x. I can unload the K heart king [under the ace] and [pitch] the K early to force an entry to partner’s hand.

Barry Rigal: I guess I need to find partner with 10-8-x, and this might do it — if I have nerve to unblock the K under the ace.

Peter Gill: Putting some trust in declarer. Partner having 10-8-5 for an entry seems a better bet than declarer with A-J A-x-x Q-x-x-x Q-J-x-x…not playing four rounds of diamonds to squeeze me.

Jouko Paganus: I need partner to hold 10-8-x and the Q, which is still a better chance than South holding A-J doubleton, because then he would probably run diamonds trying to squeeze me.

Roger Morton: Declarer may well need a long heart for his contract; and if had the 10, he would surely play hearts from the table. I’ll unblock the K under the ace next time, and wait for partner’s spade return.

John Chen: South seems likely to be 3=3=4=3; and in tricks he has one spade, two hearts, four diamonds and a club. I need partner to have the 10, and I will unblock the king if declarer plays the A.

Manuel Paulo: If South has A-J-x A-6-4 Q-x-x-x J-10-x, I must play the jack, so that declarer can’t win three heart tricks without partner having the lead.

Alex Perlin: Without glasses, I can’t tell a jack from a king. Fortunately, my glasses are on. What? It’s not my lead?

George Klemic: Since aces are meant to take kings, I will play the K when declarer leads to the ace. I hope partner can provide 10-8-5 to force an entry in the suit.

Jonathan Mestel: If declarer has A-J-x A-x-x Q-J-x-x J-x-x, and I’m feeling obnoxious, I’ll tell him he should have cashed the A first. If he has the Q instead of the jack, he may go wrong if I bare the K…after unblocking the K.

Eugene Dille: Trying to force an entry into partner’s hand; I hope he has 10-8-x.

Brad Theurer: I have to start unblocking now so that declarer can’t get three heart tricks without letting partner gain the lead (requires partner to have 10-8-x). …

Dan Goldfein: Seems like declarer started with A-J-x, so I need partner in. If partner has the… Q, we’re probably in good shape; otherwise, I need partner to have 10-8-x, so I need to start unblocking.

Dean Pokorny: Keeping communication with partner when South has A-J-x A-6-4 Q-x-x-x J-x-x.

Vikas Phadke: I expect partner to produce the 10 and get an entry before declarer gets his ninth trick with the fourth heart.

Jean-Christophe Clement: Hoping partner has 10-8-x so he can get the lead and play spades.

Dan Mytelka: To set this, partner needs an entry and another spade to lead through declarer… If partner has 10-8-x, I need to play the J to create that entry for him…

Julian Wightwick: Hoping to get partner in with 10 after unblocked the K under the ace. This may be necessary if South is 3=3=4=3; it is wrong if South has A-J doubleton or the 10.

Owen Lien: I hope partner has the 10, and I want to make an entry to his hand so he can lead through South’s spades.

Mauri Saastamoinen: Knock my knight to the ground; beat my king with your ace; but long live the 10! Partner needs something like Q-x 10-8-x x-x-x Q-x-x-x-x, and after a dark night our revenge will come and show us a light!

Samuel Krikler: I plan to play the K under the ace next round to try to create an entry for partner with the 10.

Kevin Conway: Hoping partner has 10-8-x to create an entry for a spade through.

Douglas Dunn: Playing partner to have 10-x-x and two spades. If declarer has A-10-x, he might have played hearts from dummy, finessing the 10.

Gabriel Ip: South should have A-J-x, it is crucial to get partner in for a spade return… If he has the… 10, this may set up an entry to his hand.

Michael Mayer: It is either this or Option C. Do I believe South has four diamonds and A-J-x? …or A-J doubleton? I have two slight indications: Partner did not support spades, and South bid 1 NT. Feel lucky, punk?

David Hodge: I have to prepare to drop the K under the ace to give an entry to partner’s 10 (hopefully) for the spade through.

Bill Braucher: South doesn’t have an opening without both the A and one minor-suit queen. Since he doesn’t have four hearts, he must have at least four diamonds. …It is unlikely South has A-J doubleton because with most such hands…he had a better chance than trying to steal (club finesse and/or a strip squeeze on me by running diamonds). If South has A-J-x A-x-x J-10-x-x Q-J-x or A-J-x-x A-x Q-J-x-x J-x-x, only Option C lets him make. …

Julian Lim: Anything to help partner get in — he might have 10-8-x, which means the unblocking has to begin now. If the J holds, I’ll lead a passive diamond next.

Leyla Kezer: Partner doesn’t have the J, but he may have 10-8-x for an entry…

Richard Lawson: … If South is 3=3=4=3…I must hope that partner has 10-8-x, so I begin unblocking right away to create an entry… Declarer must win the Q, or I clear spades with the K still an entry. If he next leads a heart to the ace (or crosses to hand and leads the A), I unblock the king. …

Joe Fendel: I’ll play partner for 2=3=3=5, including the 10 and Q. I’ll drop the K under South’s ace.

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

Scores Top Gamebusters!

Problem 2

IMPs Both Vul	Q 10 7 5 4 2 Q 5 3 Q 10 7 2		You West Pass All Pass	North 2	East Pass	SOUTH 1 4
4 Q J 10 3 J 8 6 2 A J 8 4		4 South

Trick 1 W 2 S

Lead Q 9

2nd 2 ?

3rd 6

4th A

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
D. Win A; lead J	10	199	21
E. Win A; lead 2	9	92	10
A. Play the 4	6	371	38
B. Play the J	5	93	10
F. Win A; lead 4	4	60	6
C. Win A; lead J	3	149	15

What’s declarer up to? The 9 might be a singleton, in which case your play is unlikely to matter; but it also could be 9-x, where you must win and shift to diamonds before declarer can establish a discard. Another possibility is K-9, where ducking is best and hope declarer plays the queen; but this is far less likely, especially because declarer would probably lead the K if he needed to develop a discard. Thus, the evidence strongly favors winning the ace.

Then what? Partner’s 5 confirms that declarer has another club (with K-6-5-3, partner should give count with the six not the five) so the layout should be something like:

IMPs	Q 10 7 5		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both Vul	4 2		1 W	Q	2	6	A
	Q 5 3		2 S	9	A!	2	5
	Q 10 7 2		3 W	J
4		K J	Declarer fails
Q J 10 3		9 8 7 6
J 8 6 2		K 10 7 4
A J 8 4		K 6 5
	A 9 8 6 3 2
	A K 5
	A 9
4 South	9 3

Clearly, you must shift to diamonds immediately (Option D or E) else declarer will succeed easily. As to which diamond, I couldn’t find a layout consistent with partner’s signals that shows a clear gain for one or the other. An expert declarer will always guess right holding A-10 if you lead low, as you would certainly duck the club if you held the K.

Aha! The dead heat in diamonds might account for the scalding green slime I see oozing in front of me. Oops, never mind; Mabel just brought me a bowl of split-pea soup. I could make the J (Option D) the winner simply by the voting, but it also seems better in the area of partner protection: If you lead low and partner wins the ace, he might fail to cash the K (not knowing it will live) and allow declarer to pitch a club on the Q. Leading the J avoids this issue.

Other choices are much inferior, as circumstances strongly suggest the need for a diamond shift. Partner’s 6 is unlikely to be an encouraging signal*, so South rates to have the K.

*If partner is making a positive signal, his heart holding should be K-6-5 or K-9-6-5 (i.e., at most four cards) which marks South with at least three hearts. Further, the 5 marks South with two clubs, so an eventual discard is inevitable. Hence, the only time a diamond shift will cost will be if South has A-K-J-x-x A-8-7 A-10-x 9-3 — which is not a 4  bid.

A distant third goes to ducking (Option A) which might gain if partner has K-x (club ruff) — albeit unlikely since declarer would seldom play this way with 9-x-x. Option B is effectively identical but ranked lower per the voting. Slightly worse are Options C and F, losing the chance of a club ruff; and Option C has the further defect that it might give away an overtrick (e.g., A-K-x-x-x A-K-9-5 A-x 9-x).

Comments for D. Win A; lead J

Julian Pottage: May be necessary if South is 5=4=2=2.

Barry White: South may hold K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-x A-x 9-x, so I must start diamonds. The jack simplifies things for partner. If I lead small, declarer is unlikely to play the queen if he has A-10 doubleton.

David Caprera: Giving South: A-K-x-x-x A-K-x A-x-x 9-x.

Gerald Cohen: Passive defenses don’t same to be winners in Richard’s contests. :)

Len Vishnevsky: Declarer wouldn’t be playing clubs early with most holdings, so he probably has K-9, a singleton [or 9-x]. If he has A-J-9-x-x-x A-K x-x-x K-9, I’d better win and return a diamond (the jack unless partner is really on his toes). …

Alon Amsel: I must hurry and set up a diamond trick.

Ronald Michaels: Unless partner played the 6 from K-6 or K-6-5, he doesn’t have the K, which is likely. Declarer’s 9 lead shows a singleton or doubleton… If a singleton, he’s preparing to [crossruff, and my play won’t matter]. … If a [doubleton], my club cards mean that he can’t misguess, so I’ve got to attack diamonds now. …

John Lusky: It looks like declarer is trying to set up a club pitch for a diamond discard, and diamonds must be attacked from my side if declarer has something like K-J-9-x-x-x A-K-x A-x 9-x. I lead the J because partner could have A-x x-x-x-x A-10-x-x K-x-x and play declarer for K-J-9-x-x-x-x A-K-x J-x 9 if I don’t help him by leading the jack. If declarer has A-10, he is going to guess right anyway if I go up with the A to lead diamonds.

Keath Chen: I hope partner has K-10-9 or K-10-x. … After any other defense [except Option C], declarer is headed for a diamond pitch on an established club in dummy.

Dale Freeman: [If declarer covers with the Q], maybe partner will underlead the 10 and let me score the eight.

George Klemic: I am alarmed at the prospect of the Q setting up for a discard. Though this might botch the club suit, I need to be on lead to put a diamond through. …

Pierre Boes: Trying to stop declarer from getting to dummy.

Gabriel Ip: Looks grim, but I hope South has the majors well held and three losing diamonds. Partner will appreciate this lead if he holds A-K-10.

Sebastien Louveaux: Declarer looks like he is trying to establish a club trick (e.g., A-K-x-x-x A-K-x A-x-x 9-x) to take care of a diamond loser. As diamonds must be attacked from my side, I must take the A. …

Alain Lacourse: Declarer must have too many losers since he is not pulling trumps. Partner probably has [a trump trick]; and if he has K-10-x, I can establish a diamond trick…

Comments for E. Win A; lead 2

Lajos Linczmayer: It appears South has K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-5 A-x 9-3, or A-x-x-x-x-x A-K-5 A-x 9-3, and wants to discard a diamond on clubs; so I have to play the ace. If South had A-K-9-8-x A-9-8-7 A-10-x 9, I should return a heart; but as partner played the 5, I play him for K-6-5 (I suppose from K-6-5-3 he would play the six). It seems I can afford to lead the J as well, as South will not misguess if has the 10; but if I lead the two, we can recover if South has A-K-J-x-x A-K-9-5 10-7-4 9.

Bruce Neill: In case declarer has K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-x A-x 9-x. I don’t want to lead the J in case declarer is doing something exotic with K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-x A-9-x 9.

Imre Csiszar: Winning the A can hardly lose, as South is unlikely to have led from the K intending to play the queen… The 9 is not singleton (no 6 from partner); and a diamond lead is imperative if South’s minors are 2-2. This may be disastrous if South’s hand is more balanced, but then perhaps he would not jump to game.

Steve White: A diamond shift from my side is necessary if South has A-x-x-x-x-x A-K-x A-x 9-x.

John Reardon: Partner’s heart makes it very likely that South has A-K-5. If South has, say, K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-5 A-x 9-x, I must win and switch immediately to diamonds. If South has the 10, he will always guess correctly (for I could have ducked the club to partner if I had the K); however, the J could give away the contract if declarer has A-K-J-x-x-x A-K-x 10-x-x 9.

Rob Stevens: After partner’s play of the 6, South almost certainly has A-K-5; and on the 5 partner has three clubs. Therefore, passive defense won’t work. Declarer isn’t going to slam the Q on my jack with A-x-x in the suit, so I have to hope that partner has a trump trick… Declarer shouldn’t err with A-10; but the J doesn’t gain, so I might as well keep open that possibility.

Barry Rigal: I need to shift to diamonds if South has K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-5 A-x 9-x…

Peter Gill: I will trust partner’s impending club pip; he should play the 6 (not the five) from four cards. Thus, South has 9-3, not a singleton.

Charles Blair: I wish I could find a hand to justify the J — “Not through the Iron Duke!”

Roger Morton: I need to attack diamonds before declarer gets the club suit going for a diamond discard. The  2 gives him a losing option when he holds A-10.

Jerome Rombaut: I hope declarer will misguess diamonds.

Jonathan Mestel: This at least gives declarer a guess with K-J-9-x-x A-K-x-x A-10 9-x, although then I should shift to a trump (Option G!) so partner can draw three rounds. [Realistically] I’m playing for something like K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-x A-x 9-x. [With A-10] declarer should guess right, assuming the club honors are split as I didn’t lead one. Is there a better reason to distinguish between the 2 and J? …

Brad Theurer: Declarer is aiming to establish a club trick to get rid of a [diamond] loser; he probably has two clubs. I will only get in once, so hoping for two diamond tricks is remote;…but I need to get one diamond trick going. If partner has K-10, any diamond will do; but I’ll lead low in case declarer has A-10 and [misguesses].

Bill Erwin: To set up a diamond trick before declarer can arrange to pitch one. South might hold A-9-x-x-x-x A-K-5 A-x 9-x.

Joshua Donn: The A and a diamond shift is needed if South has K-J-x-x-x-x A-K-5 A-x 9-x…

David Hodge: … Declarer’s clubs are going to become dangerous if he has doubleton, so I must act quickly.

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

Scores Top Gamebusters!

Problem 3

IMPs N-S Vul	Q 9 7 5 3 Q 9 7 2 A 5 A 2		You West Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 2	East Pass Pass	South 2 3 NT
K 10 4 A J 10 3 6 4 3 Q 10 9		3 NT South

Trick 1 W 2 S

Lead 10 6

2nd 2 ?

3rd 4

4th K

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
D. Win A; lead 10	10	252	26
B. Play the J	8	274	28
A. Play the 3	7	161	17
E. Win A; lead Q	4	201	21
C. Win A; lead K	2	30	3
F. Win A; lead 9	1	46	5

Your opening lead seems to be on track, with partner now known to hold the J; but somethin’ is strange. Enter Bill Murray who exclaims, “Back off, man! I’m a scientist!” Partner’s signal of the 4 does not look encouraging*, and declarer’s immediate heart lead is a wake-up call for a fast slime job. What’s going on?

*The 4 is ambiguous. While it could be encouraging from J-8-4-3 (properly not wasting the eight), there are few holdings from which partner could not afford a higher club; thus, odds are overwhelming that partner is discouraging clubs (i.e., South has the 3).

The instinctive play is to duck (Option A or B) but this doesn’t mesh at all with partner’s signal, nor with the bidding and play. Declarer probably has at least five running diamonds, and he may have six, so a heart could be his ninth trick:

IMPs	Q 9 7 5 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S Vul	Q 9 7 2		1 W	10	2	4	K
	A 5		2 S	6	A!	2	5
	A 2		3 W	10!	Q	A	6
K 10 4		A J 8 2	4 E	2	8	K	3
A J 10 3		5 4	5 W	4	7	8	7
6 4 3		8 2	6 E	J
Q 10 9		J 7 6 5 4	Declarer fails
	6
	K 8 6
	K Q J 10 9 7
3 NT South	K 8 3

If you don’t win the A, you’re history; declarer scores the queen and his game. Instead you must rise and shine, shifting to the 10 to rattle off four spade tricks. Note that partner was on the ball to discourage clubs despite his five-card length, so don’t let him down by falling asleep at the switch.

A few respondents were paranoid, fearing declarer held the J and was falsecarding at trick one (excluding K-J doubleton). Possible, I suppose, but it doesn’t make much sense to throw away a club trick, then try to steal a heart to break even. Then again, Fritz hasn’t been around for a while, either.

Winning the A will sometimes cost a trick, but in the great majority of cases it will only be an overtrick, e.g., when South has A K-x-x K-Q-x-x-x K-7-6-5. Cases where it costs the contract, e.g., A K-8-6 K-10-x-x-x K-7-6-5, are rare due to the specificity of South’s club spots for East to be making an encouraging signal with the 4.

Ducking the heart is next best, and whether you should play low or split with the jack is moot. Declarer probably has the K and intends to play the queen regardless, but I couldn’t find a convincing layout where it is necessary to play low and hope; i.e., playing the jack was always adequate if the contract is beatable. Conversely, playing the 3 could lose big-time if declarer finesses, e.g., with A 8-6-x K-Q-J-x-x K-7-6-5. Therefore, second place goes to Option B, followed closely by Option A.

The only reason for hopping with the A is to beat the contract in spades, so Options C, E and F offer little merit. Fourth place goes to returning the Q (Option E) which does the least harm. Leading the K (Option C) is “all pain, no gain,” and worst of all must be to block the club suit deliberately (Option F) — a slimeball move if there ever was one.

Comments for D. Win A; lead 10

Lajos Linczmayer: I hope South has 6 K-6 K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x-x.

Bruce Neill: In case South has x K-x K-Q-x-x-x-x K-x-x-x — and I hope partner can tell what’s happening.

Julian Pottage: If South has six diamond tricks, I need to hope partner has A-J-8-x. This could be wrong if South is 2=3=5=3; but jumping to 3 NT with an aceless 12-count and no great source of tricks seems unlikely.

Barry White: I fear declarer will steal his ninth trick holding x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x. We need four spade tricks, so partner must hold A-J-8-x.

Rainer Herrmann: Looks like we need five tricks fast before South gets his nine.

Imre Csiszar: At the highest level, this may be a double-cross attempt, and perhaps I should make my natural play. Realistically, declarer can hardly hope to win more than one heart, so the lead makes legitimate sense only if it will be his ninth trick. On the bidding, South may well have six diamonds and a singleton 2 (or six), and trying for four immediate spade tricks appears best — even more so than on Problem 1.

Steve White: To run spades if partner has A-J-8-x.

Jim Tully: South probably has six diamonds and the K for this play, giving him nine tricks if I duck. To beat the contract, partner must have A-J-8-x.

David Wiltshire: Declarer is stealing his ninth trick with solid diamonds. There’s no point in continuing clubs as there isn’t enough time. I need partner to have A-J-8-x, and only leading the 10 first will do.

David Caprera: I am suspicious… Could South have something like x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x?

Gerald Cohen: I don’t think we can beat the hand if South has a singleton J, so this beats Option C. Declarer playing on hearts certainly looks like a try for a quick ninth trick…

Len Vishnevsky: … Why is declarer leading hearts instead of diamonds? Is he trying to steal a ninth trick with x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x?

Alon Amsel: The key question is whether South holds five or six diamonds. In the first case, there is no hurry and it is better to duck. Based on the bidding, I’ll go for the latter case and hope partner holds at least A-J-8-x. …

Richard Ramey: Partner needs A-J-8-x, so South has x K-x-x K-Q-x-x-x-x K-x-x (or K-x and K-x-x-x).

Ronald Michaels: Why did declarer go out of his way to weaken his club control to lead a suit that will require several leads to win more than one trick? Answer: He’s trying to steal his ninth trick. Therefore, I must win the A and grab four spade tricks, which can be done only if South has a singleton 6 or 2; and I must lead the 10.

Blair Seidler: Partner discourages and declarer wins the king? Something is fishy, and it feels like declarer has…running diamonds and a spade problem. I think I have to play partner for A-J-8-x.

John Lusky: It looks like declarer is trying to steal his ninth trick with something like x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x, or x K-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x-x. I must lead the 10 to take four quick spade tricks if partner has A-J-8-x.

Zbych Bednarek: The [best] hope is that partner has A-J-8-x. Expected tricks for the defense are one heart and four spades — down one.

Barry Rigal: … If South has A K-x-x K-10-9-x-x K-x-x-x, rushing to take the A would be a bad idea. Conversely, if South has x K-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x-x, I need to win and shift to the 10. This is the big-money play, so I make it. :)

Joon Pahk: I think declarer is out stealing. Hopefully, partner has A-J-8-x-(x).

Peter Gill: I must trust partner; maybe he has A-J-8-x, and declarer has six diamonds. With worse spades, surely partner could have afforded higher than the 4 to encourage clubs. Last year the IBPA gave me an award for not winning the ace from A-J-10-x over dummy’s Q-x-x-x when declarer led low from K-x-x to the queen (next round the 10 was ducked, then A-J cashed) — so it’s fun to do just the opposite this time. :)

Eric Leong: I think declarer is trying to steal a ninth trick with something like x K-x K-Q-J-10-x-x K-x-x-x.

Charles Blair: South would play this way with x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x; but could he have something like J K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x K-x-x-x? How strongly does partner’s 4 suggest a switch?

Roger Morton: A sneaky heart trick may be all that declarer needs… Leading the 10 picks up the suit without blockage when South has a singleton [ 6 or 2].

Keath Chen: Looks like declarer is stealing a ninth trick; I hope partner has A-J-8-x.

Sandy Barnes: It seems that declarer is trying for his ninth trick. If South has the J, we are unlikely to beat 3 NT…

Joseph Lane: Looks like declarer’s trying to steal trick nine. If so, our only hope is spades; and the 10 is necessary to unblock.

El Asser: … Playing partner for the obvious A-J-8-x.

Dale Freeman: I think declarer will have nine tricks if I duck; we need four spade tricks.

Alex Perlin: Is declarer hiding the J? Or did partner switch to upside-down carding in the middle of the quiz? I have been told not to trust anybody here for a reason. :)

Dick Yuen: This is the only way to win four spade tricks…; a good partner will provide A-J-8-x.

George Klemic: The obvious hand to play declarer for is six diamonds and two club winners, and he wants to steal nine. If he has the A, we aren’t going to dent this (and he probably would have safer plays than a heart). The best spade holding to find is a small stiff, against which I must lead the 10 to keep a delayed entry [and unblock the suit].

Jack Shinehoft: I think declarer has a diamond suit ready to go and is trying to steal a heart for his ninth trick. The only way to get four spade tricks is to lead the 10.

Jonathan Mestel: Has South got x K-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-8-x-x, or J K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x K-8-x-x? Both his bidding and line of play suggest the former.

N. Scott Cardell: Declarer is trying to steal his ninth trick with something like x K-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x-x; but partner’s A-J-8-x is enough for us to take five tricks first.

Jim Munday: Looks like my best chance is to play partner for A-J-8-x.

Jeffrey Gertz: Hopefully, partner has four good spades.

Brad Theurer: Looks like declarer is out to steal his ninth trick ( x K-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x-x) so I grab and hope partner has A-J-8-x.

David Grainger: Looks like declarer has six diamonds…and is trying to steal his ninth trick.

Jean-Christophe Clement: To get four spade tricks if partner has A-J-8-x.

Dan Mytelka: I need the K as an entry to lead through dummy’s spades again.

Julian Wightwick: Hoping to cash four spade tricks. Declarer could easily have six cashing diamonds, so I can’t afford to duck.

Dafydd Jones: Declarer is likely to hold x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x.

Mauri Saastamoinen: Declarer could easily have something like x K-6 K-Q-J-10-x-x K-x-x-x.

Zoran Bohacek: South may have six diamonds and be trying to steal a ninth trick. Three spade tricks are not enough, so I must play partner for A-J-8-x.

Tim DeLaney: If South had x-x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x K-x-x, why didn’t he simply bid the appropriate number of notrump? And why would partner play the discouraging 4 when he has an equal honor? Both of these questions are answered if South has x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x. Partner, with A-J-8-x x-x x-x J-x-x-x-x, can see that a spade switch might be necessary. …

Damo Nair: Looks like the Q will be South’s ninth. Partner needs to show up with the A-J-8-x.

Bill Erwin: Necessary if declarer has x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x — but admittedly loses to J K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x K-x-x-x.

Douglas Dunn: If declarer is trying to steal a ninth trick, a club back must be wrong. Partner’s spades will have to be as good as A-J-8-x. Diamonds must be solid or declarer would have won the club lead in dummy.

Sebastien Louveaux: … Declarer is attacking a very weak suit, and he has kindly pinpointed the club situation. This means that the diamond suit is running, and he is trying to steal his ninth trick. We must take four tricks, obviously in spades; and the 10 is the only card to achieve this without blocking the suit.

Mike Doyle: He’s not stealing his ninth trick from me!

Frances Hinden: A nice partner will have A-J-8-x. A less nice partner will have A-x-x x-x x-x-x J-x-x-x-x.

David Hodge: Waiting for two hearts (by playing the jack) is too slow… We need to find tricks in spades.

Bill Braucher: I’m desperate. Diamonds seem to be running, and a heart trick could easily be the ninth. So I’ll gamble all on partner holding A-J-8-x.

John S. Robson: Best assessment: Declarer is trying to steal (six diamonds, two clubs, one heart). Partner needs two spade leads from me.

Julian Lim: The Q just might be declarer’s ninth trick, so I’m taking out insurance and hope to hit partner with A-J-8-x. Please? My birthday is this month!

Mark Taylor: If South has x K-x-x K-Q-J-x-x-x K-x-x, I have this beat.

Richard Aronson: Figuring partner for A-J-8-x, and South for x K-x-x K-Q-J-10-x-x K-x-x.

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

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Problem 4

IMPs E-W Vul	Q 9 8 3 7 5 A 10 8 A K 7 5		You West 1 2	North Dbl 4	East Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 1
K J 10 6 K Q J 10 6 2 Q 9 4 —		4 South

Trick 1 W 2 S

Lead K 2

2nd 5 ?

3rd 3

4th A

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
A. Play the 6	10	196	20
B. Play the J	8	223	23
E. Win K; Q; lead Q	7	186	19
F. Win K; Q; lead 4	6	113	12
D. Win K; Q; lead J	3	190	20
C. Win K; lead 2	2	56	6

You were itching to double this contract but rightly kept your cool. Experienced gamebusters have to keep a low profile; activating your proton pack prematurely will tip off declarer and get you slimed. The sight of the Q in dummy is disappointing, eliminating any hopes for three trump tricks; but prospects are good to win two trumps, a heart and a diamond.

The obvious defense is to ensure your two trump tricks by winning the king (South must have the ace), cash your heart, and exit as safely as possible. A third heart (conceding a ruff-sluff) will surely cost, as will a trump, so you must hope partner has the J and exit with the diamond queen (Option E) to hold the fort. Consider a likely layout:

IMPs	Q 9 8 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
E-W Vul	7 5		1 W	K	5	3	A
	A 10 8		2 S	2	K?	3	5
	A K 7 5		3 W	Q	7	4	9
K J 10 6		5	4 W	Q	A	3	2
K Q J 10 6 2		8 4 3	5 N	Q	5	4	6
Q 9 4		J 6 5 3	6 N	8	2	A	10
—		J 9 8 4 2	7 S	3	2	K	4
	A 7 4 2		8 N	5	8	10	6
	A 9		9 S	Q	10	7	9
	K 7 2		continued below…
4 South	Q 10 6 3

Suppose declarer takes the Q with the ace, draws two trumps (leaving you with the high trump) and leads the 3 (you pitch) to the king; then the 5, finessing the 10, and the Q. Ruffing in would leave you endplayed, so pitch two more hearts to leave this position:

win 3	9		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	—		10 S	6	J	A	J
	10 8		11 N	9!	8	7	J
	A		West is endplayed
J		—
J		8
9 4		J 6
—		J
	7
	—
	K 7
South leads	6

On the next club, you cannot ruff for the same reason; and you’re squeezed! Pitching a diamond allows declarer to run the 10, so you pitch your last heart; then declarer can exit with a trump to endplay you after all. Slimed! Ooh, that smarts.

What about playing the J on the first trump lead (Option B)? Upon winning the Q, declarer will lead the 9 and duck it to you when East shows out. Unfortunately, this leads to the same predicament; after cashing your heart, you must exit with the Q, and we’re back to square one.

One possibility, available after all options (except C and D), is that declarer will misguess diamonds. The appearance of A-10-8 effects a well-known cat-and-mouse tactic. If you lead the queen, declarer may play you for Q-J-x since you might have led low. Similarly, if you lead low, declarer may put in the 10 figuring you would lead an honor from Q-9-x or J-9-x.

Rather than rely on felines and rodents, the best defense only relies on routine play. At trick two you should play low (Option A). Would declarer have any reason to finesse the eight or nine? Hardly. He would expect you to have the K for your bidding, so playing the queen is routine.* If declarer next ducks a trump, you have a safe exit in trumps, and no endplay will work.

*Besides gaining when West has K-6-5, K-J-6 or K-10-6, it also gains against K-J-6-5 or K-10-6-5 (leading to a similar endplay after East’s blank honor drops). Thus, if declarer finesses the eight, you’re biggest worry may be to hold your cards back.

The fight for second place is among Options B, E and F, and there isn’t much difference. Unless declarer has an unavoidable club loser (or partner has the K) they all come down to declarer’s diamond guess (Option B after declarer ducks the second spade). Rather than try to determine the better diamond lead (too much weird activity this month for that) I’ll rank them by the voting.

Yielding a ruff-sluff* via Option D is considerably inferior, as this disposes of declarer’s side loser without a guess, and there’s no way declarer would lose trump control after ruffing in either hand.

*A few respondents mentioned that I didn’t state partner’s play when you cashed the Q, or even that he followed suit; but as usual, you should assume normal occurrences for unknown factors. Partner is marked with a singleton spade; so two singletons would be abnormal, and I certainly would have told you about it. Thus, partner’s 3 shows three cards since he would high-low with a doubleton.

Worst of all is to underlead your heart honors (Option C) hoping partner has the nine. The main reason is that declarer could always have prevented this by ducking at trick one, so you’re playing for a mistake as well.

Comments for A. Play the 6

Lajos Linczmayer: We should win two spades, one heart and a minor trick. I suppose South has two hearts, e.g., A-x-x-x A-x K-x-x Q-10-x-x. (If he had four hearts, e.g., A-x-x-x A-x-x-x K-x Q-x-x, I should play K, Q, Q; but I think it is less likely.) Declarer decided to play a low spade to the queen (not the nine) which is not worse than cashing the ace first, regarding the bidding. If I played the K, I would be endplayed.

Bruce Neill: If declarer has A-x-x-x A-x K-x-x Q-J-x-x and could see my cards, I would need to play a spade honor — and when I get in, underlead my hearts hoping partner can win the nine and give me a club ruff (to escape an endplay). But why would I think declarer is going to play the 9? In real life, he’ll play the queen [expecting] me to have the king; then I don’t need that spectacular but risky underlead.

Barry White: It looks like declarer has mirror distribution with dummy, so I may need to wait for a diamond trick rather than try a forcing game. Declarer only needs a 3-2 trump break with a likely king onside; so if he finesses the nine, I better start holding my cards back. With K-J-10 left, I have an exit card in trumps in addition to the Q. South likely holds A-x-x-x A-9 K-x-x Q-J-x-x.

Rainer Herrmann: Drawing trumps is fine if declarer has a loser in either minor suit.

Steve White: Declarer is unlikely to play the eight or nine; so I won’t set myself up to be endplayed if he has A-x-x-x A-x K-x-x Q-J-x-x.

Jim Tully: Partner must be about dead broke, but there’s hope if he holds the J.

John Reardon: I hope South has something like A-x-x-x A-x K-x-x Q-J-x-x and plays the Q (any other play would be because he had looked at my hand). We will then win two spade tricks, one heart and one diamond.

Rob Stevens: The key hand is when South holds A-x-x-x A-x K-x-x Q-10-x-x. It looks safe to win the K, cash the heart and exit with the Q; but I’ll [eventually] be endplayed. Since declarer can have no good reason to play the 8 from dummy, it seems best to hold my breath and play low.

That defense is no problem. I just go into a tank until LHO breathes; then I finesse.

Ronald Michaels: If partner has the guarded Q, [ J-10-x-x] or the J, declarer is going down as long as I don’t give him a ruff-sluff…or lose our diamond trick by leading the suit twice. … If I win the K and cash my Q, what next? … The way to maintain exit cards is to execute the…apparent Grosvenor gambit — there is no danger that declarer will not play the Q.

Joon Pahk: Else I may be extremely endplayed very soon.

Eric Leong: Going up with the K (or playing the J) is a little embarrassing if declarer has something like x-x-x-x A-9 K-J Q-J-10-x-x.

Joseph Lane: Why didn’t declarer first play the ace? [Maybe] partner’s got it! … If partner’s singleton is not the ace and declarer plays the eight, I’ll look silly — and pretend I pulled the wrong card. :)

Jim Munday: I’m giving declarer something like A-x-x-x A-x K-x-x Q-10-x-x. If I split, I can win the next spade, cash a heart, and exit with the Q; but I will be forced to hold 9-x (lest declarer pin the nine) and eventually thrown in with the fourth spade. Rising with the K leads to the same ending. Only ducking works, as I can safely exit in spades and save the Q for my last exit. Declarer would need mirrors to play the nine on the first spade.

Paul Fauvet: It is conceivable that partner has the A; and if so, it’s singleton. Then we can probably take three trumps and a heart.

Bill Powell: Declarer has underled the trump ace to protect against an uppercut.* This avoids the accidental endplay when he discovers the bad break.

*I think Bill is referring to West having K-x and seven hearts, in which case cashing the A first allows a third heart lead to promote East’s J (technically an overruff not an uppercut), although the defense still needs another trick. -RP

Irina Dimitrova: Partner has a singleton trump, and I do not know what it is; so I better duck this time. If declarer wins the queen and [ducks a trump], I will be able to lead trumps [safely].

Joe Fendel: Who knows? Partner might just have a singleton ace of trumps.

Eric, Joseph, Paul and Joe bring out another case for ducking that I did not consider. I suppose some would open 1  with Eric’s example, particularly at favorable vulnerability. -RP

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

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Problem 5

IMPs Both Vul	Q 6 4 2 4 3 J 6 4 A K Q 6		You West Pass Pass	North 2 3 NT	East Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 NT 2
J 10 8 7 Q J 7 6 5 Q 9 2 5		3 NT South

Trick 1 W 2 S

Lead 6 3

2nd 3 ?

3rd 10

4th A

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
A. Play the 2	10	243	25
B. Play the 9	9	81	8
C. Win Q; lead J	6	452	47
F. Win Q; lead 5	5	43	4
D. Win Q; lead Q	3	112	12
E. Win Q; lead 5	1	33	3

Nice lead you found. With hearts bid on your right, and spades implied in dummy, this would make a good opening-lead problem; certainly there’s a case for each suit. My order of preference would be heart-spade-club, though I’m not adamant. At least the heart worked this time, so I won’t be slimed prematurely.

At trick two comes the moment of truth. It is tempting to grab the Q in case declarer has A-K-x-x, but a closer look shows he will always succeed then. Holding A-K-x-x in both red suits*, declarer will have eight tricks after you take the Q, and he must have the J or K to account for his 15-17 range; thus, a ninth trick is there or easily developed in spades since you can’t set up hearts. Forget that scenario and consider deals where partner has a diamond honor.

*Yes, it is possible that declarer is trying to steal a trick with A-K-x, but this seems too remote to worry about. With something like x-x A-K-9-x A-K-x J-x-x-x, an expert would surely duck a spade (or run clubs) to prepare for a legitimate endplay.

IMPs	Q 6 4 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
Both Vul	4 3		1 W	6	3	10	A
	J 6 4		2 S	3	2!	J	K
	A K Q 6		3 E	2	9	J	4
J 10 8 7		K 5 3	4 W	J!	2	3	A
Q J 7 6 5		10 2	5 S	5	Q	4	7
Q 9 2		K 10 7	Declarer fails
5		J 10 9 7 4
	A 9
	A K 9 8
	A 8 5 3
3 NT South	8 3 2

Hopping with the Q loses outright if South holds A-10-x-x, but even in the above layout it costs in a subtle way. You cannot continue hearts safely so must shift to the J, taken by the ace; then another diamond is sold to East. Declarer now has eight tricks, and East can be endplayed by the fourth club to score the Q; or a spade is ducked if East blanks the king.

Instead you should duck the diamond to the jack* and king. East leads his last heart, ducked to your jack; then you shift to the J (crucial) to the ace. Declarer ducks another diamond, after which you can beat the contract quickly by leading the 10, but this isn’t necessary; a safe exit in clubs or diamonds leaves declarer with only eight tricks.

*Curiously, if declarer also ducks the diamond in dummy, East must still win with the king (at double-dummy). Winning cheaply allows declarer to establish his long diamond without losing a trick to West; then East can be endplayed in the black suits for a ninth trick. This is mainly of paranormal interest, however, as declarer would hardly hop with the K to play this way.

While ducking the 3 lead is clearly correct, playing the two or nine is essentially the same. I included Option B mainly to keep parallel choices among the problems; but I also liked the spooky flavor of such an unnatural play and would loved to have found it was superior. Alas, the only slight advantages I see occur by playing the two: (1) If South has A-10-8-3, it is possible he will finesse twice after losing to the king; and (2) proper count may help partner, especially in regard to unblocking the king. Therefore, the top award goes to Option A, which was also the voting preference by a wide margin.

Winning the Q (Options C-F) is much inferior because you can’t defeat the contract when declarer has A-K, barring a steal attempt from A-K-3. Having done so, the best return is the J (Option C) because it might take partner off an endplay. Next best is a club (Option F) which is passive and neutral. Much worse is the Q (Option D) which gives away a trick half the time (whenever South has A-K-9-8). And a low heart (Option E) is a total gift — call it slimo-nullo — and only worth a point because I promised you a 1-to-10 scale.

Comments for A. Play the 2

Lajos Linczmayer: South’s critical holding is A-9 A-K-9-x A-7-x-x 10-x-x. I hope partner wins the trick with the king (that’s why I play the two) and returns his heart, which I overtake with the jack and lead the J.

Bruce Neill: If declarer has K-x A-K-9-8 A-x-x-x J-x-x, I need partner to win the first diamond (with the king even if declarer plays low in dummy) and lead a heart.

Barry White: Declarer may well have K-x A-K-9-8 A-x-x-x J-x-x. If so, I must duck for a heart through from partner. Declarer must duck; then I can lead the J to get two spades…when in with my Q…

Rainer Herrmann: First, a heart return from partner; then a switch to spades.

Imre Csiszar: Four immediate spade tricks can hardly be taken, and 3 NT is unlikely to be set unless partner holds the A or K. If the natural duck gives away a trick, it’s probably only an overtrick.

Steve White: I hope partner will win and play another heart, which I will probably have to overtake to play the J.

Jim Tully: South is marked with A-K-9-x and no better than J-x-(x). I have to hope for partner to have the K (or ace) and a spade honor.

David Caprera: If declarer is playing A-10-8-x opposite J-x-x, I best be ducking. Who knows? We might turn three diamond tricks (which is why I won’t squander the nine) although this requires declarer to play me for an unlikely 5-5 hand. … I will subsequently switch to the J and hope we can untangle our tricks.

Gerald Cohen: … Best shot seems to play partner for both pointed kings and a fourth-round club winner.

Len Vishnevsky: Partner has 5-7 HCP; but if it’s A-K-x, we can’t set this. Declarer is marked with A-K-10-x, and I’m not getting in much more; so why give up a heart trick? … Maybe declarer is getting fancy with A-K-x, but that doesn’t seem with the odds. …

John Reardon: I am hoping declarer has something like A-3 A-K-9-2 K-8-7-3 J-10-9. Partner returns a heart, ducked, and I [overtake] to switch to the J. Unless declarer plays double-dummy, we should win two diamonds, one heart and two spades. Please don’t give extra marks to the 9.

Rob Stevens: If partner has A-K-x, we aren’t going to beat this (declarer isn’t going to stick the Q on the jack). If the heart return from partner is ducked, I will then shift to spades. If declarer wins the second heart, we may come under pressure in the endgame. Tricky discarding may still work if South has A-x A-K-x-x A-10-x-x J-x-x.

Jon Sorkin: I want partner to return his heart, which I will overtake to switch to the J. [This should give us] two diamonds, two spades and a heart.

Blair Seidler: If declarer really has 9-x A-K-9-x A-K-x-x J-x-x as his 15-count, I can’t beat this hand even by winning and leading the J, since declarer is supposed to duck and pray for spade blockage which he will get. I therefore need partner to have a diamond honor and a spade honor; so I duck, win the presumed heart return, and try the J. …

John Lusky: If partner has something like K-9-x 10-x K-x-x x-x-x-x-x, I want a heart back so I can push a spade through.

Barry Rigal: General principles, since I do not know what I’d do if I won the Q.

Joon Pahk: The contract is unbreakable if declarer has A-K-x-x (even if his spades are two small, he can duck the first spade to block the suit), so I might as well not blow a trick if he has A-10-x-x.

Peter Gill: … If partner doesn’t have the A or K, declarer with 15+ HCP and 4-4 in the red suits has nine tricks. So I duck, wanting partner to win and put a heart through, which declarer has to duck; I can then overtake to switch to the J. … Playing the 2 seems to be a tad better than the nine…

John Chen: Partner needs to have the K and K, and return a heart; then I will switch to the J.

Sandy Barnes: It looks like partner has both a diamond card and a spade card, and he should have a heart to return.

Joseph Lane: I think declarer is trying to establish a finessing position against partner’s K. I’ll wait to win my queen later, then lead the J. The  2 now gives partner count.

Manuel Paulo: If South has A-9 A-K-9-x K-10-3 J-x-x-x, I must go up with the Q and lead the J; but this is an exception, not the rule. [Much more likely] from the auction and play so far, I should play low. South may have… A-x A-K-9-x A-10-x-x x-x-x, A-5 A-K-9-2 A-10-3 J-x-x-x, K-5 A-K-9-x A-10-x-x J-x-x, or K-x A-K-9-x A-10-3 J-x-x-x. … I choose the 2 (over the nine) as routine.

Alex Perlin: If South holds 9-3 A-K-9-8 A-K-3 J-x-x-x, I will have egg all over my face; but a true philosopher would not object to people stealing what they can earn legitimately on a triple squeeze. Alas, partner may not be a philosopher. :)

Nicoleta Giura: Declarer is fishing for a ninth trick; diamonds are 3-3, so we can only defeat the contract if partner has the K [or ace].

Ron Landgraff: I must preserve my entry. …

Rinus Balkenende: The 9 feels better, but count takes precedence.

N. Scott Cardell: As my opening lead suggests 5+ hearts, declarer with A-10-x-x may be playing me for a short honor. Partner will win the K and return a heart through South’s remaining K-9-8; declarer must duck, then I will lead the J.

Neelotpal Sahai: Playing declarer for a hand like A-x A-K-9-x A-10-x-x 10-x-x. I must make sure partner wins the second trick to fire a heart back;…then I will push the J. … Danger of playing the 9 is that declarer may play low from dummy and partner may not win it; so I make life easy.

Jim Munday: If declarer has A-K, we are sunk, as he must have the J or a spade honor (plus A-K) and will have nine tricks. (Declarer can limit us to three spades by taking the percentage line of ducking each spade, playing partner for A-x-x or K-x-x.) I need partner to have a spade honor, a high diamond and the J. I also need to retain the Q as an entry lest declarer endplay partner; so I duck, giving partner count in the process.

Brad Theurer: If partner’s values are A-K, we can’t beat 3 NT; so I hope South has K-x A-K-9-x A-x-x-x J-x-x. I need partner to win the first diamond and return a heart; declarer ducks, then I switch to spades. I play the 2 (count) hoping partner will work out to win the king [if declarer ducks in dummy], so I can win our side’s second diamond trick and push another spade through.

David Grainger: If partner has a diamond card and a spade card, I can let partner win this trick to lead a heart back, which declarer must duck; then I shift to spades.

Brian Meyer: Considering South has A-K-9-8 or A-K-9-2, I want partner on lead to [return] a heart; then I will switch to the J. I need partner to have [at least] the king in each pointed suit to have a chance.

Dean Pokorny: Giving true count, inducing partner to take this trick with the king [even if declarer ducks in dummy] and return a heart. This is the only way to beat 3 NT when South has A-x A-K-9-x A-8-7-3 x-x-x.

Julian Wightwick: If South has A-K-x-x, he must also have the K or J, and is up to nine tricks. So I’ll hope he has something like A-x A-K-9-x A-10-x-x x-x-x, and is playing me for K-x or Q-x to go with my heart length. Partner will probably continue hearts whichever diamond I play, so I’ll just give count.

Thijs Veugen: I don’t want to give away the contract when South has A-10-x-x.

Tim DeLaney: If South has A-K, he must also have the J [or K] for his bid, and that will give him nine tricks. … Partner must win the diamond and return a heart… Playing the 9 also works but misleads partner, making it difficult for him to overtake in the event South plays low from dummy.

Douglas Dunn: If South has A-K-x-x, there is no hope (even if partner has A-K there are only three spades and a diamond to take). So I’ll play partner for the K or A, then a heart return should defeat the contract.

Sebastien Louveaux: We have a chance if South has K-x A-K-9-x A-10-x-x J-x-x. I must keep my Q, and…partner will play back a heart; declarer must duck, then I will lead the J. I suppose a low-profile diamond will encourage partner to continue my suit; so the 2, not the nine.

Comments for B. Play the 9

Julian Pottage: Partner may need to win with the king (from K-10-x) so I try to drive out the jack.

Alon Amsel: If South held A-K in both red suits, we probably have no defense (spades will block). Therefore, I assume he doesn’t, and I’ll play a high diamond to encourage the suit I lead.

Charles Blair: I’m playing South (presumably not Edgar Kaplan) for A-x A-K-x-x A-8-7-5-3 x-x, and I want to avoid partner (expert, but not Edgar Kaplan) carelessly winning 10.

Charles must be brainwashed by my theme this month seeing ghosts of Edgar all over the place.

Roger Morton: Noting my heart length, declarer with A-10-8-x-(x) may well be playing me for a doubleton honor; but I am worried about the difference between Options A and B. …

George Klemic: I don’t see declarer holding both A-Ks at this point, so it looks right to duck. I’ll put the nine in just in case he goes deep, then I can switch to spades. If declarer has just four hearts, partner can return a heart which must be ducked; now I switch to spades.

Jonathan Mestel: I’ll play declarer for A-x A-K-9-8 A-8-7-x 10-x-x. If I play small, he may well play the six. Will partner then realize he has to win with the king (not the 10) to foil an avoidance play? If I play the nine, declarer will surely cover with the jack; then a heart through will set him. Ducking the 10 might have worked better [for declarer] as the cards lie, but it’s all a bit fishy. Quiet! Do you smell something?

Jonathan brings out a weird variation that fits right into our neighborhood this month. If East is allowed to win the first trick, anyone in his right mind would return a heart; but this allows declarer to succeed by establishing diamonds and eventually endplaying East in the black suits. Incredibly, East must lead a low spade, blowing a trick immediately but allowing the defense to establish spades before declarer establishes diamonds. Gamebusting Lesson 666. -RP

Mauri Saastamoinen: I want partner to win this trick with his king and continue hearts, which declarer has to duck; then I can lead the J effectively. Partner could have something like A-9-x 10-2 K-8-x x-x-x-x-x. The  9 is essential to the defense, providing an [extra] spade entry before my Q is capitalized.

Kevin Conway: Will partner realize he has to win this trick with the king (not the 10) from K-10-x?

Frances Hinden: Winning the Q can’t gain, as declarer surely has nine tricks if he has A-K in both red suits.

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

Scores Top Gamebusters!

Problem 6

IMPs N-S Vul	K 8 3 2 6 A K 8 7 5 K 10 8		You WEST 1 Pass	North Dbl Pass	East 4 Pass	South 4
A Q J 4 K Q 10 8 4 Q 10 9 6		4 South

Trick 1 W 2 S

Lead K 10

2nd 6 ?

3rd 2

4th A

Defense	Award	Votes	Percent
C. Win A; lead Q	10	125	13
B. Play the Q	8	233	24
F. Win A; lead 6	6	312	32
E. Win A; lead Q	5	169	18
A. Play the 4	4	85	9
D. Win A; lead 4	2	40	4

As on Problem 4, you considered doubling 4 but relented to the old adage that discretion is the better part of slime. Predictably, dummy hits with the K, and declarer puts you to the test at trick two. Partner’s 2 signal suggests something in clubs*, but there can’t be any hurry to lead that suit; whatever partner has will keep, and you hardly need a club ruff. Oh, what to do!

*Per default carding agreements, the singleton heart in dummy makes this a suit-preference situation.

If you duck the 10, there’s a chance declarer will put up the king; but it’s too risky to hope for that, so the instinctive play is to cover with the queen (Option B) to retain trump control. While generally a sound principle, it is unlikely declarer will lead a second trump; then you may be at the mercy of a crossruff melee. Consider this layout:

IMPs	K 8 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
N-S Vul	6		1 W	K	6	2	A
	A K 8 7 5		2 S	10	Q?	K	5
	K 10 8		3 N	A	2	3	9
A Q J 4		5	4 N	K	4	6	10
K Q 10 8 4		J 9 7 5 2	5 N	5	J	9	Q
Q 10 9		J 4 2	6 S	A	6	8	4
6		Q J 9 4	7 S	2	4	K	Q
	10 9 7 6		continued below…
	A 3
	6 3
4 South	A 7 5 3 2

After capturing your Q with the king, declarer will surely revert to diamonds, ruffing the third round. Next comes the A and a club to the king; if you ruff, you make three trumps and nothing else, so you pitch a heart as dummy wins the K. This leaves the following ending with the lead in dummy:

win 3	8 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	—		8 N	8	5	7!	?
	8 7		Declarer succeeds
	10
A J 4		—
Q 10 8		J 9 7 5
—		—
—		J 9
	7 6
	3
	—
North leads	7 5 3

Declarer next leads a diamond and ruffs in hand. What can you do? If you overruff, you must cash another trump to stop declarer from ruffing the last diamond; then dummy regains trump control to draw your last trump and enjoy the good diamond. If you pitch, declarer ruffs a heart (alternately, he could exit with a club) and ruffs the last diamond forthwith. All roads come to 10 tricks.

To escape this tangled web, you have to extract a second round of trumps, which means winning the A and returning the Q (Option C). If declarer wins the K and continues to lead trumps (foolish), you will clear trumps to beat the contract three tricks. If declarer tries to crossruff, he is a trump short to ruff the fifth diamond and cannot come to 10 tricks. If declarer ducks the Q, you will lead a heart to tap dummy* to prevent him from establishing diamonds and keeping control.

*If declarer instead pitches a club from dummy, you will lead another heart. If declarer ruffs in hand to preserve dummy’s trump tenace, he cannot ruff a diamond and finesse trumps; so you must get another trick.

Second place goes to playing the Q (Option B), which is necessary to defeat the contract if South has 10-9-7-6 A J-x-x A-J-x-x-x (or A-Q-x-x-x). Combinatorially, this comprises only about a third as many deals as the diagrammed layout. Next best is to win and shift to a club (Option F) which loses to the example just given but gains versus leading the Q (Option E) if South has 10-9-7-6 A J-x-x A-x-x-x-x.

Option A is difficult to rate because it depends entirely on declarer’s play. Will he run the 10? Perhaps not; but if he does, you may as well throw in your cards. Therefore, I don’t think it warrants better than a close fifth. Worst of all is to win and return the 4 (Option D) as this will surely rouse declarer’s suspicion — somethin’ is strange in the neighborhood — and he is likely to duck to ensure no more than two trump losers.

Comments for C. Win A; lead Q

Lajos Linczmayer: I suppose East would have bid 5 with five hearts and a spade void; so I hope South has only four trumps and a minor-suit loser. If he has, e.g., 10-9-7-6 A-x x-x-x A-9-x-x, he [may] run the spade 10 (maybe the six would be better) to guard against Q-J-x with West.

Bruce Neill: If declarer has 10-9-7-6 A-x x-x A-9-x-x-x, I need to draw two rounds of trumps. If I duck the first trump, he can set up diamonds and threaten to crossruff; if I overruff, he has control.

Julian Pottage: This could be necessary if South has both missing aces. If I had known partner had the 5 (rather than a void), I would have doubled.

Jim Tully: Partner has to have some help in the club suit, or this game’s going to roll.

John Reardon: If declarer has something like 10-9-7-6 A-3 J-2 A-9-7-3-2, this is the only defense; else it is just as good as any other play. …

Rob Stevens: Very subjective. If South has 10-9-7-6 A-x x-x A-x-x-x-x, playing the A then Q will beat it, while playing low allows South to make if he runs the 10. That hand is far from a clear 4  bid; nor is it clear that South should run the 10. But South isn’t likely to have [five spades] because partner would have sacrificed with [a void].

Manuel Paulo: This is necessary if South has 10-9-7-6 A-x x-x A-7-x-x-x… and it is just as good as Options B, E or F if South has 10-9-7-6 A-x x-x-x A-Q-J-9 (unless South holds both red jacks, as I would be squeezed and thrown in).

Ron Landgraff: Eventually declarer will be on the board, which will be awkward for him.

Neelotpal Sahai: This will beat a holding like 10-9-7-6 A-x J-x A-x-x-x-x; later on, I will play a forcing defense. If declarer has three diamonds [and two hearts], he is going down with any defense.

Jim Munday: I will play declarer for something like 10-9-x-x A-x J-x A-9-x-x-x. Ducking will be instantly fatal. Splitting gives declarer a chance to win; cash A-K and ruff a diamond; A and a club to the king; then crossruff. Winning the spade and continuing with an honor leaves me in control.

Dean Pokorny: Only way to beat 4 when declarer has a hand like 10-9-7-6 A-x x-x A-x-x-x-x.

Nigel Marlow: Hearts may be 1-1 for opponents, so I don’t want to give a ruff and discard. Playing trumps to cut down on any crossruff seems better than opening up the club suit.

Irina Dimitrova: After regaining the lead with the J, I will be able to play the last trump…then our hearts will [be good] when I win a diamond trick.

Alain Lacourse: Declarer is finessing the 10… If I continue hearts, it might give declarer a ruff and discard. … Removing the ruffing power may prevent a fourth-round club ruff [or a crossruff].

Final Notes

I hope you enjoyed the contest, as well as some wacky memories of one of the most original, comedy films of all time. It’s hard to believe it has been 21 years since Ghostbusters came out. Thanks to all who participated, and especially to those who offered kind remarks about my web site.

Comments are selected from those above average in this contest (top 492) or in the Overall Top 200 (plus ties) prior to this contest; and for each problem I only use comments supporting the winning solution and close runners-up (9 award). While this may seem biased, I feel it’s the best way to ensure solid content and avoid potential embarrassment in publishing comments that are off base. Of the eligible comments, I included about 70 percent. If you supplied comments that were not used, I thank you for the input.

Use of a comment does not necessarily mean I agree with it, but generally they are all worthy. Comments are quoted exactly except for corrections in spelling and grammar. Where I have included only part of a comment, an ellipsis (…) indicates where text was cut. Text [in brackets] was supplied by me to summarize a cut portion or fix an omission. Comments are listed in order of respondents’ rank, which is my only basis for sequencing. I am confident that my lengthy study of these problems, assisted by comments received, has determined the best solutions in theory, but oversights are possible. Feedback is always welcome.

And finally, I can prove there’s somethin’ strange in the neighborhood:

Bill Cubley: I hope my play is as good as Bill Murray’s golf. Do I win a poster of Sigourney Weaver?

Richard Stein: I hope the Gamebusters won’t be too upset about having to clean up my mess.

Joe Fendel: It doesn’t matter what suit you play in, as long as it’s not a beige jumpsuit.

Alex Perlin: Gamebusters, come back! After seeing my defense, South is thinking he should try for slam.

Sue Baum: I must be looking in the wrong place. I never got a score.

Don’t worry! I had the same problem when dating in high school.

Analyses 8X32 Main Challenge

Scores Top Gamebusters!

Acknowledgments to Ghostbusters (1984) and Columbia Pictures
© 2005 Richard Pavlicek