Let the Defenders Do the Dirty Work! - with Curt Soloff and Antara Keelor

[@fionamcerlane4133]

Brilliant! And such a clear explanation. thanks Curt and Antara.

[@gracielajuda9659]

CURT you are a champion ! Thank you

[@yehuditrackover4159]

great solution!

[@marthamullen2740]

Thanks!

[@LearnBridgeOnline]

Thank you, Martha! Your support means a lot!

[@TheSuzberry]

Another tool for my kit.

[@ingridkemp1524]

Brilliant !!

[@armantookmanian1938]

This is the proper line of play at IMP scoring, where making your bid contract is important and overtricks are much less so. However, at Matchpoint scoring, taking the 25% chance of both finesses working for an overtrick might score a top board. If either one of the finesses works (50% of the time) you're no worse off and score the same as those who "played it safe." Of course, it also risks scoring a bottom board with a 25% chance that both finesses fail, but ... Do you feel taking the 2 finesses is the correct strategy for Pairs matchpoint?

[@johnworf]

Yes he failed to mention IMPS or MP's - I think this is a great hand to analyse from a MP perspective - maybe I will do a video on my channel in future on this topic. The one extra bonus you get from the safety play is if the QD falls in 2 so that is the extra benefit you get from taking the safety line.

[@richardpupko5156]

One of the criteria for taking a match point safety play is how many others will be in the same contract. If you're going to be the only pair in slam then not taking the safety play is silly. I tend to think that just about everybody will be in slam, with a potentially significant number in 6NT. In that case I THINK the safety play is a losing proposition, but I'm not good enough to work out the appropriate calculations. Also need to consider that other tables get a red suit lead and I'm already way behind. All in all the higher the standard of play in this event the more likely I am to take the diamond finesse and try to guess hearts. I am REALLY curious about what the final contracts were around the room.

[@dng88]

same as the last ...

[@BP-kx2ig]

Do you mean Keycard or Roman Keycard?

[@alandixon9103]

What happens if East has the Qeen of diamonds. Then you have given up a winning finesse AND you will still have to guess the heart return.

[@johnworf]

I think you've missed the point on this hand - you play ace and King of diamonds and concede to the Queen of diamonds - you have now eliminated the clubs and diamonds from your hand - they don't have a good exit card whoever wins - they either give you a ruff and discard or you find the Queen of hearts without losing a heart trick.

[@armantookmanian1938]

I think you meant "if West has the Queen of Diamonds" - you are sitting in the seat labeled North. (We are so use to seeing the player at the bottom of these displays be South]. But the explanation by @johnworf is correct - after removing Spades (trump suit) from both defenders, you eliminate Clubs from the hands of both the Declarer and the Dummy, and then doing the same with Diamonds, throwing one of the defenders on lead. It won't matter which defender wins the Diamond Queen. They have no Spades. If they lead a Heart, you will get a guaranteed successful finesse against the Queen of Hearts. If they lead a Diamond or Club, you ruff in one hand and discard a Heart loser from the other.

[@chesshead]

If both finesses would have worked, then you could have gambled on making 13 tricks. Playing safe like this is wise when you know the finesses don't work.