Challenge an Expert: Nick Sandqvist vs Rajath Shourie. Part Two

[@timothybolshaw]

If Rakath looked again at the last hand, he may have concluded that he played it even worse than was his first impression. After East cashed the HA, a diamond back would have been ruffed, losing the contract and the match. It is not a crime to rise with the CA at trick 1, but you must then play a heart to virtually ensure making the contract.

[@rajathshourie1341]

Oh, absolutely! The whole time I was playing it, I had the sinking feeling you get when you're about to go down in a stone cold contract. But then the robot gave me a gift, and I was able to survive.

[@almightyhydra]

I'm not convinced Rajath played his 1NT contract particularly well. No need to cash CK yet - start with SA, SQ to create two entries to North in case of singleton or doubleton K. If SQ is ducked then you now cash CK. Later in the play he should duck the first round of hearts. This leaves a marked (on the bidding) finesse position for an extra uptrick.

[@rajathshourie1341]

You're right, that's a better line. I think the whole time I was playing the hand I was just thinking of whether 3NT was making! Fortunately, it was not. On the lie of the cards, you can't make more than 8 tricks in NT (unless the robot opens by leading a spade from Kx). I made three spade tricks, one heart, three clubs and a diamond for eight tricks. With your line, you get three spades, two hearts, three clubs but no diamond trick. East is able to set up an extra heart trick and still has a diamond to get back in and cash it. That being said, I agree that your line is cleaner.