Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:57 AM
Hand Evaluation - Hold Up Play (
Patterns )
PITBULLS:
One of the most basic
applications of patterns is the hold up play . As we all know, the hold up play can be done by declarer or defenders. In all
cases though, an
application of patterns is necessary. The opponents lead
the deuce of spades against your
3NT contract.
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K |
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J |
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10 |
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Do you hold
up ? patterns to the
rescue . LHO has a 4 card suit so the spades are 4-4-3-2 . Holding up is silly as they can only cash 3 spades when
you knock out the diamond Ace. If you hold up in spades ,
they may switch to a heart so +600 just flew out the window.
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You
are defending 3NT , the board comes down with ♠xxx ♥xxx ♦x ♣KQJ10xx . Partner leads a suit
won by declarer , a club is lead with partner playing
the deuce ( upside down count ) & you have Axx. You apply the pattern
, say 6-3-2-2 & take your club the 2Nd
round. If you get careless & take your club the 3rd round , you have just given declarer his 9th
trick as he has a long diamond suit.
Playing
with a tormentee tonight against a weak declarer in 3♥ , the board hits with
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Q |
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J |
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J |
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9 |
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Your partner leading a diamond with you winning your Ace.
You return the club queen , declarer plays low. You
continue a club & declarer wins the Ace. Declarer who an overcalled a heart
leads a small heart to the queen , you have ♥Axx. Now what ? Here is word of invaluable advice. You apply the pattern so you know the trumps
are 5-4-3-1. Never & I mean
never take your trump Ace the 1st
round. In this case , declarer should never have been leading a trump in the
first place , as this is cross ruff hand. If declarer leads another heart
thinking they are 2-2 you win the Ace , return a 3rd
heart so she goes down one in a contract cold for 4. The Ace of trump is very
important for timing & control. It is better that you have that control
for as long as possible. When you know partner has a singleton trump from the
bidding, never take your Ace 1st round in any trump contract. It is deceptive so lets you control further proceedings. A hold up
play is still another application of “thinking
in patterns”.