[han]

Matt currently holds ♦97xx, with ♦AQ8x in dummy. Assuming plenty entries in 3NT, how should he play the diamonds?

[han]

edited.

[Echognome]

There's another line...

[han]

Spoiler

Justin, seems like you didn't consider running the nine and when this loses to the jack or 10, running the 7. Compared to line 3 this loses when there is J10 doubleton offside, but wins when there is the stiff J or 10 offside, so seems superior.

[Echognome]

Jlall, on Oct 23 2005, 06:27 AM, said:

Spoiler

I guess you could run the 9 then lead small to the 8 picking up KTxx or KJxx onside, and losing to Kxx onside. I guess thats better albeit counter intuitive.

Spoiler

It does lead to a common theme in some of these suit combinations. Whenever you can make a double finesse as part of your line, it will often be superior. It also often saves a guess in how you play.

Example:

AT9x

Qxxx

[sceptic]

I would play the 7 and cover anything or let it ride

Then finese the Q

[Chamaco]

A related question about defense and deception given this combination:

suppose we are East holding doubleton KJ, and declarer runs the 9 (AQ8x in dummy).
How often do you win the J and how often do you falsecard the K (and do you consider falsecarding with the K reasonable) ?

[cherdano]

Chamaco, on Oct 23 2005, 12:52 PM, said:

A related question about defense and deception given this combination:

suppose we are West holding doubleton KJ, and declarer runs the 9 (AQ8x in dummy).
How often do you win the J and how often do you falsecard the K (and do you consider falsecarding with the K reasonable) ?

False-carding seems just wrong to me, unless you can see that declarer has communications problems and cannot test the suit next by cashing the A. Am I missing something?