grizz: Hi all, while we are waiting are there any questions from past sessions?
wyoming33: HI Pete - hi kibs -
grizz: hey!
BILManager (Lobby): => Club: !D!DGrizz's Lesson Table is now open in the BIL. Lesson starts in about 5 mins. Topic today " NT Opening Leads and Coded 9's & 10's"   All members are invited to attend this very informative lesson!H!H
grizz: Hi all, while we are waiting are there any questions from past sessions?
grizz: I just noticed that my clock was 5 minutes ahead of computer time, so we will start in 7 minutes
grizz: if we have any old business, let's do that now
coco24: can u tell me why after someone doubles the next person redoubles
JanaDe: can you talk about those of us who struggle trying to keep a running count of cards? what did you do? way back when
JanaDe: talk to
grizz: best way to start is by keeping track of trumps
JanaDe: got that
meshmeshaa: we do and second suit..what about the rest??
grizz: say to yourself, e.g., 3 in my hand, 4 in dummy, 3 still out
BILManager (Lobby): => Club: !D!DGrizz's Lesson Table is now open in the BIL. Topic today " NT Opening Leads and Coded 9's & 10's"   All members are invited to attend this very informative lesson!H!H
grizz: then try to place them in the hands, not just count the number still out
grizz: eventually you will start thinking about hand patterns
grizz: like 4432, 5332, 6322, etc
meshmeshaa: according to what..the bidding
grizz: you will try to figure those out from the bidding, and play to the first few tricks
grizz: here is a tip:
grizz: you don't need to count both ops' hands
grizz: just one
grizz: reduces the workload by half
JanaDe: wonderful - i bog down about trick 3\
grizz: and try always to memorize your initial shape and dummy too
nesualc: why would only counting one hand work?
grizz: why would only counting one hand work?
grizz: long answer, books have been written about it
wyoming33: if one can subtract
grizz: good one is "Countdown to Winning Bridge" by Bourke and Smith
grizz: they have a really good system
grizz: they call it Information Management System
grizz: so you decide in advance what crucial cards to watch for
grizz: so you don't have to count and watch them all
nesualc: thank you have not heard of that book
realrowdy: what is a crucial card
meshmeshaa: to watch for with opps...or with p. in defence
grizz: for instance, let's say you have a NT hand that needs a suit to break 3-3
grizz: you decide in advance to watch and see whether both ops follow to 3 rounds
grizz: if so, one plan
grizz: if not, then Plan B
JanaDe: punt
grizz: lol
grizz: maybe there's a finesse to fall back on
analisals: watch for discard
grizz: or an endplay
grizz: Hi everybody, thanks for attending another of a series of lessons on Defense.  
grizz: Here we go with the usual stuff.
dolphinuk: thanks grizz for taking the time to do this
grizz: Chat logs and hand records are stored in your computer for later review.  For information on how to retrieve them, go the BIL homepage or email me.
grizz: my pleasure  :)
grizz: I teach private individual, pair, and small group lessons.  If you would like to know more please email me at Grizz@GrizzBridge.com.
grizz: The new website is up now, thanks to the help of PedroG.  Gracias amigo!
grizz: And archives of old sessions are available at the new BIL Library, thanks to Maureen and her wonderful assistants.
grizz: There will be lots of questions.  I want to address them all, but in a manner helpful to all, so please ask them in open chat.  
grizz: I cannot respond to private chat during a lesson.
grizz: Are there any questions so far?
Jrutha: not yet
grizz: :)
dolphinuk: no
grizz: Last week we talked about Bridge World Standard and agreed to look at Coded 9 and 10 leads vs. NT.  
grizz: We will do that, but in the broader context of NT opening leads and 3rd hand play.
grizz: First let's now talk about general rules for NT leads, and look at some examples. 
grizz: Notrump is usually a race to see which side can establish and cash its winners first.  
grizz: Both sides usually have enough tricks to get the job done, but one side runs out of time.
grizz: Notrump defense and declarer play is about long suits and entries.  
grizz: Long suits are where the extra tricks are, and entries allow you to cash them.
grizz: That is why it is usually best to start with your side's long suit.  
grizz: The race to develop tricks starts at Trick 1, and if the defense does not get on with its Job #1 then momentum and timing shift to the declarer.
grizz: Here are some general rules for NT leads, and some examples to illustrate.
grizz: For those of you who have seen this already, please bear with us.  We have some new kibitzers to whom this may be new.
grizz: Besides, repetition is a good thing.  
dolphinuk: thanks for bearing us newbies in mind :)
grizz: These rules are according to Eddie Kantar.
bloop2007: yes, ty
grizz: :)
Jrutha: thnx !h
grizz: 1.  If your partner has bid a suit, lead it, UNLESS:
grizz: A.  You have a strong suit of your own, AND
grizz: B. An outside entry.  
grizz: Why?  If you have a long suit, partner is probably short in it. So partner can't get back to your hand to let you cash the winners.
grizz: And declarer can hold up until partner is out, then get on with his master plan. 
grizz: You should lead partner's suit even though RHO has bid NT after your partner.  He may not have a real stopper, and if he does it may be gone by Trick 2.   Think Kx, Ax, or KJ.
grizz: 2.  Strong top-of-sequence leads from 4-card suits (KQJx. KQTx. QJTx) are better than weaker but longer suits (Jxxxx, Qxxxx).
grizz: 3.  If you have the choice between an unbid major or an unbid minor with similar strength in each, the major is usually a better prospect.  
grizz: Why?  Ops frequently conceal long minors, but rarely conceal major length during an auction.  Major suits rule these days, and all modern systems emphasize finding major fits.  
grizz: If ops haven't announced one, or inquired about one, they probably don't have one.
grizz: 4.  If dummy uses Stayman he can be assumed to have one or two 4-card majors.  
grizz: Many auctions will tell you which one he has.
grizz: If RHO opens 1NT, and the auction goes 1NT-2C-2S-3NT, you can assume that dummy has 4Hs.  Otherwise why would he bid Stayman?  So don't lead !Hs unless you have a strong sequence.
grizz: 5.  If your hand is dreadful, try to hit partner's long suit, even if he hasn't bid.  Any suit that he might have bid at the 1 level but didn't will be an unlikely candidate for ...
grizz: this desperation lead.
grizz: 6.  If dummy has announced during the auction that he has a long, strong suit, you must make an aggressive lead in another suit.  AKx. KQx or QJx are better in this case than ...
grizz: weaker but longer suits.
grizz: You must play aggressive defense, and collect your tricks before they go away.
grizz: 7.  Partner needs to know whether you have any honors in the suit you lead.  If a switch must be made at Trick 2, partner needs to know and act quickly.  
grizz: A.  The lead of a low card in an unbid suit promises an honor.  So if you lead low, expect partner to return that suit if he gets in.  
grizz: If you lead the 2 from 5432, he will not be happy - if you must lead this suit, play the 5 and hope that partner figures it out.  
grizz: B.  Likewise, the lead of a big spot card tends to deny an honor.  A 7 or 8 is usually the highest or second-highest in a long suit.  
grizz: It says "Partner, I have length but no strength here.  If you have some face cards then continue the suit, otherwise look elsewhere."
grizz: C.  Leading from a strong 4-card suit like AQTx, AQJx, AJTx, or AKTx usually costs a trick.  
grizz: Odds are that RHO has the missing honor, and a lead from one of these sequences goes right into declarer's tenace.
grizz: But it is a GOOD idea to lead from a strong 5-card suit, such as AQTxx, AQJxx, AJTxx, or AKTxx.
grizz: Any of those suits would be an excellent lead, since 4 tricks can be established after surrendering 1.  
grizz: D.  The lead of a Q shows either the top of a sequence (QJT, QJ9) OR a powerful combination headed by the KQT9.  
grizz: If the opening leader may have that combination, that is you do not see the K,T or 9 and you do have the J, you should play it at Trick 1.  
grizz: This is a form of unblock play, and tells the opening leader that when the A is cleared, the suit will run.  
grizz: Naturally, if you have AJ, you overtake with the A and return the J.  
grizz: It eliminates guesswork if the K holds, and partner can't see the A or J in his hand or in dummy.
grizz: E.  The lead of a K shows either a sequence or a short suit  (AKx, KQx).  
grizz: F.  Leading an A shows a very strong suit, headed by AKQ, AKJT, AKJ or AQJ with an outside entry.  
grizz: Since the A is a guaranteed entry most of the time, it is rare to expend it on the opening lead.
grizz: Any questions so far?
grizz: G.  I have purposefully left the lead of the J,T and 9 for last.  
wyoming33: seems dif of opinion of lead from AKx
dolphinuk: not really thought there is obviously a lot of information there to digest
grizz: y, standard practice is to lead K from AK
grizz: some prefer to lead A from AK
meshmeshaa: meaning??
Jrutha: if u lead K I assume u have the Q
grizz: y, standard methods presume lead of K from either KQ or AK
grizz: so there can be confusion at Trick 1
grizz: about whether leader has the A or Q
wyoming33: thats why most now seem to lead A from AKx
grizz: so A from AK eliminates that problem
wyoming33: less confiusion
grizz: leading the unsupported A is a terrible idea at Trick 1
grizz: so the A should guarantee the K too
eubulides: q about D. do you lead q or k from kq combs?
grizz: K, always
grizz: top of sequence
grizz: unless you play Journalist leads
meshmeshaa: wht r those?
analisals: wjat abpit ;eadomg 4tj best when Ace is top card?
grizz: beyond the scope of this discussion, and extremely rare
rajen: playing journalistic, do i need to alert?
eubulides: so in D. above,  the q lead would not be made
analisals: what about leading the
analisals: lol
grizz: D. above is a special case, exception to the top-of-sequence rule
trudean 24: why can i not see your table griz?
grizz: pertains only to KQT9(xx)
eubulides: got it. thnx
trudean 24: maybe it is a class
Jrutha: I thought u would lead 10 to show 2 higher cards
grizz: i'll get to the table later, don't want to confuse you with cards dealt when i sit
realrowdy: i only see blank tables also
grizz: G.  I have purposefully left the lead of the J,T and 9 for last.  
trudean 24: thks
grizz: In the old days, a lead of one of these cards might have been the top of a sequence (JT9x, T98x, 987x, etc) or the top of an interior sequence (KJT9, KT98, QT98, Q987, etc.)
grizz: That led to some confusion as to whether partner should return the suit if he got in.  
grizz: Sometimes it was clear, but other times it was just a guess.
grizz: The confusion has been lessened by a system called Coded 9's and T's, also known as Jack Denies (and T or 9 Implies).
grizz: Using this treatment, the lead of a J denies a higher honor, but guarantees a sequence if it is an unbid suit.  
grizz: Notice the "guarantees a sequence" part of that statement,  do NOT lead J from  Jxx
grizz: Lead the J from JT9x or JT8x
JohnTaylor: yes he covers areas no one else covers
JohnTaylor: sorry
grizz: Naturally if partner has bid the suit, and you had Jx, you would lead the J to drive out declarer's honor and unblock the suit.
->JohnTaylor: np  :)
grizz: But back to the general case, the lead of a T or 9 now specifically shows 0 or 2 cards higher.  
grizz: If leader has 2 higher cards, they are specifically a touching tenace (KJT9, KT98, AT98, AJT9, etc.)  
rajen: can njever be 1 higher?
grizz: Is anybody unclear about what a tenace is?
grizz: Right, can never be just one higher
ddt135: yes
grizz: Only 0 or 2, including the next higher card
dae: lead of 10---KJ are not touching???
ddt135: tenace?
grizz: A tenace is a sequence of honors with a hole.   Like AQxx, KJxx, AJxx, etc.
ddt135: ty
grizz: If 3rd hand sees partner lead a T or 9, he looks around in dummy and his own hand to figure out whether there are 0 or 2 higher.  
dae: but he said TOUCHING
jacquiek: touching to 9 or 10
dae: TOUCHING tenace??
meshmeshaa: rule of 11
grizz: y, TOUCHING tenace - so the T is either from T98x, T97x, or AJT9, KJT9, etc
grizz: T AND the next higher card, with a gap, then a higher honor as well
dae: ty
gimit: gap or double gap?
grizz: either
eubulides: can a tenace have a 2-honor gap?
grizz: sure
grizz: This all plays into the question of best defensive strategy.
grizz: If leader has higher cards, partner probably should continue the suit if he gets in later.
grizz: Otherwise he should go hunting for tricks elsewhere.
grizz: That is the most important question for 3rd hand at Trick 1:
grizz: Continue or switch?
grizz: Any questions?
Jrutha: so far so good
grizz: Now we have some example suit holdings.  Look at each combination, decide what to lead and why.
meshmeshaa: is this whr signaling comes in
grizz: No, that would be later in the play of the hand.   We are concentrating on the opening lead now.
grizz: What is your lead vs NT from each of the following suits?  And why?  Play along in open chat if you wish, but I cannot respond to private chat.
grizz: A.  KJT85
trudean 24: 8
analisals: 10
j2l: t
dae: 10
Karen10: 10
spum1: t
blincolna: J
breck23: can't see cards
nesualc: 10
ddt135: 10
r_pakker: ten
breck23: ok
grizz: i can't show the cards, this is just an exercise
blincolna: 10
anegada: 8
trudean 24: change - 10
cdt: t
grez: 10
barbhow: i got here late, is this only for nt contracts?
grizz: Here's the problem with the 8
grizz: Only NT, correct
trudean 24: thinking rule of 11
grizz: Declarer knows about the Rule of 11 too, and if he has the AQ9 he will let it run to the 9
grizz: Remember, the goal of the defense is to start setting up length winners immediately
grizz: That means knocking out stoppers
jacquiek: right
grizz: Playing standard methods, you would lead the J as top of an interior sequence
grizz: Problem is, partner doesn't know whether you have a higher card or not
grizz: So may continue the suit later when wrong to do so
grizz: So here is the answer:
grizz: T - Jack Denies, T or 9 Implies 0 or 2 higher, including the J
grizz: And here is where you can see the advantage to this system
fiscryder: very cool
grizz: If partner can see the J, in dummy, his hand, or declarer's play to Trick 1, he knows to switch when he gets in
grizz: Because the T shows precisely no cards higher, or 2 including the J
grizz: And now declarer will not be able to false-card so often
analisals: WOW
grizz: B.  AT975
Karen10: false card?
j2l: 9
analisals: 9
blincolna: 9
Karen10: 9
r_pakker: 9
grizz: play a card he doesn't have to, in order to mislead the defense
grizz: 9 - It shows 0 or 2 higher, including the T
grizz: Cool!   You guys are gettting it!
analisals: :-)
grizz: C.  Q9874
j2l: 7
Karen10: 7
r_pakker: 7
blincolna: 7
grizz: 7 - We might have led the 9 as top of an interior sequence in the old days, but it sends a different message when we play coded 9 and T.  4th best still works when our gadgets ...
grizz: don't send the right message.
000_bill: 8
spum1: do you not deny q, because if qjt9, you would lead q
analisals: 7\
grizz: yes, from QJT9 you would lead the Q
grizz: The T shows a gap between the J and a higher card, OR no higher cards in that suit at all
grizz: D.  KQ753
j2l: 5
Karen10: 5
r_pakker: 5
blincolna: k
analisals: 5
JanaDe: k
grizz: 5 - same as last example, 4th best.
wyoming33: this is at NT guys - need 3 card seq
grizz: from KQJxx you would lead the K, or KQTxx
grizz: right, or the 3rd card missing by only 1 spot
blincolna: ok
grizz: E.  JT7542
Karen10: j
j2l: 5
jacquiek: j
blincolna: 5
analisals: j
r_pakker: 5
grizz: 5 - ditto
spum1: 5
Jrutha: j
grizz: need a 3 card sequence to lead the J
grizz: JT9xx
jacquiek: oooo...good pt
j2l: j
grizz: or JT8xx
r_pakker: j
Jrutha: oops
grizz: 3rd card missing by just one spot
grizz: F.  KT975
jacquiek: 9
j2l: 9
r_pakker: 9
blincolna: 9
spum1: t
JinxII: T
grizz: 9 - Coded, shows 0 or 2 higher, including the T.
Jrutha: 9
Karen10: 9
analisals: 9
spum1: 9
grizz: G.  QJ965
j2l: q
Karen10: 6
analisals: 8
r_pakker: q
blincolna: q
dae: 6
spum1: 6
jacquiek: 6
Karen10: q
wyoming33: LOL
analisals: 8
grizz: Q - shows the top of a sequence (QJT or QJ9)
JinxII: J
trudean 24: 9
wyoming33: broken seq
jacquiek: yep
grizz: 3rd card missing by just one spot
grizz: H.  AKQT4
US129: a
JinxII: A
j2l: a
r_pakker: a
spum1: a
jacquiek: k
grizz: A - shows long, strong suit
trudean 24: grizz can weget your notes?
blincolna: k
nesualc: a
analisals: 6
grizz: sure, email me
grizz: or retrieve the chat log from your hard drive afterward
trudean 24: no how?
grizz: email me for instructions on how to do that
analisals: typo
analisals: lol
grizz: I.  T42
jacquiek: you are a saint....so patient.
->jacquiek: lol
j2l: 2
r_pakker: 2
Karen10: t
spum1: t
blincolna: t
->jacquiek: that's NOT what my wife says!
jacquiek: :):)
breck23: t
Jrutha: go to another suit
dae: lol
Karen10: :)
grizz: 2 - from 3 to an honor.  LOL - you have my sympathy if this is your best suit!  But if you have tenaces in all the rest, it might be the best of bad alternatives.
laine: ty
blincolna: find another suit!!
analisals: 2
grizz: J.  842
r_pakker: 8
spum1: 8
Jrutha: 8
blincolna: 8
grizz: 8 - If you have the same hand, or one that is totally broke and you are trying to find partner's suit, announce that you have nothing higher.
grizz: K. AKJ98
US129: 9
jacquiek: k
r_pakker: a
blincolna: k
JinxII: J
spum1: k
analisals: k
jacquiek: strong sequence\
grizz: A - again, this shows a long, strong suit
Jrutha: a
grizz: L.  8643
eubulides: ?unblock q?
jacquiek: so when do we play the king instead of the acwe
Karen10: 8
spum1: 8
trudean 24: Ace - then what?
jacquiek: ace
r_pakker: 8
blincolna: 8
grizz: yes, unblock the Q on lead of the ace, very good!
Jrutha: 3
grizz: or give count otherwise
grizz: but that's for a later lesson
grizz: 8 - If you have the same hand, or one that is totally broke and you are trying to find partner's suit, announce that you have nothing higher.
grizz: M.  972
r_pakker: 2
spum1: 9
analisals: this format is really helpful and we all can participate also
dae: 2
Jrutha: 2
US129: 9
->analisals: thx for the feedback!
blincolna: 9
Karen10: 7
jacquiek: 9
grizz: 9 - ditto
analisals: 7
dae: 9-      ) above?
analisals: 7
dae: 0
jacquiek: broke
grizz: N. QT965
US129: 9
jacquiek: 9
Karen10: 9
r_pakker: 9
blincolna: 9
spum1: 6
Jrutha: 9
grizz: 9 - Coded 9 shows 0 or 2 higher, including the touching T
analisals: 9
grizz: O.  AKT93
jacquiek: we seem to be getting it!!!
grizz: :):):)
blincolna: t
US129: 9
jacquiek: A
analisals: 10
dae: t
Jrutha: t
grizz: Depends - If you have no outside entry, you must lead low and risk confusing your partner.  The 3 will distort your length, which is crucial vs NT.  
grizz: The 9 suggests 0 or 2 higher, when you actually have 3, but that is a minor sin with this holding.  Partner will just have to understand.
grizz: But if you have a sure outside entry, plunk down the A and then shift, sit back and smile.
analisals: sorry pard I am rich in my suit !
grizz: lol
grizz: P.  AQT93
analisals: 10
blincolna: t
jacquiek: 9
grizz: Depends again, same as last hand.  But if you have good reason to think that the K is in dummy, lead the Q.
breck23: t
spum1: t
grizz: Q.  AK842
US129: 4
dae: 4
blincolna: 4
jacquiek: 4
r_pakker: 4
spum1: 4
grizz: We all agree!     4 - 4th highest
dae: do the kq109
grizz: R.  KQT94
jacquiek: the quizzes are fabulous:):)  makes us all think
dae: q
US129: Q
grizz: :)
blincolna: k
r_pakker: k
spum1: t
jacquiek: k
trudean 24: t
analisals: 10
dae: Q asks for drop of J
eubulides: q. unblock j
grizz: Q - This is an unusual lead, asking partner to drop the J if he has it, or give count otherwise. 
Bluheron: some of us are not seeing any cards
->Bluheron: i can't show any cards, sry
Bluheron: ok txs
grizz: It eliminates guesswork if the K holds, and partner can't see the A or J in his hand or in dummy.
grizz: S.  J9872
US129: 7
spum1: 7
blincolna: 7
r_pakker: 7
Jrutha: 7
grizz: 7 - 4th best
grizz: T.  A75
analisals: 7
spum1: 5
r_pakker: 5
jacquiek: 5
grizz: 5 - low from honor-third.
Jrutha: 5
PHowardEsq: 5
blincolna: 5
grizz: Did you folks enjoy that?   Any questions?
wyoming33: dont lead this suit
breck23: sure did 
jacquiek: loved it
Jrutha: yes thnx:)
spum1: y, no q
camilleln: do you have a listing of the jack denies leads which differ from standard leads?
PHowardEsq: yes, very much
beryl8: !!
eubulides: example of reasons to think dummy has k, ?
grizz: Next week we will look at the lead from the position of 3rd hand, and start to see what it all means.
analisals: was great  and thanks so much for doing this-so helpful  can this be used as first lead i n a suit contract??
grizz: e.g., dummy bid the suit
gimit: v. instructive, grizz
fiscryder: could it be possible to have p agreement that say lead of 10 shows only the 2 above cards simplify?
jacquiek: are we finished already??? :(:(
grizz: no, i have more, but this part is done now
analisals: can one use this this as first lead in a suit contract??
grizz: and in answer to fiscryder's question, i do not recommend that treatment
grizz: yes, this can be used vs. suits too, and i recommend it
fiscryder: ok ty
grizz: less memory work
vw07: thank you grizz
grizz: :)
Jrutha: very good lesson
bertt: great great lesson
grizz: Now we have a change of pace.
NMS04: just came on  what is the lead?
dae: how many boards is your tourney and is it based on this lesson?
breck23: thxs great grizz
->dae: random hands this week
dae: ty
grizz: This is an ordinary hand, a common real situation from a tournament.  
jacquiek: you are too cute and too good at teaching...I am awed by your simplicity and clarity.  :)
->jacquiek: tyvm!
nesualc: should be very helpful thank you
grizz: It is not a NT hand, but it illustrates some of the principles that we have talked about before.
jacquiek: much deserved...you are welcome.
grizz: Ask lots of questions.
Jrutha: should we be seeing a hand?
grizz: Plan before you play.
grizz: Think about the plan during the play, and change it if necessary.
wyoming33: is there a hand up
grizz: Those principles were just words then, but here is where they take concrete form.
grizz: Not yet
grizz: I have said in previous sessions that you must ask yourself lots of questions during the play of the hand, and that as you make progress you will zero in on the important ones.  
grizz: Here is an example of that principle in action.
grizz: Please get a paper and pencil everybody, and write down this hand.  I will put it up later, but first you must make some decisions based on limited information.
jacquiek: should we be kabitzing one way or another?
grizz: not yet
grizz: anybody NOT ready to proceed, please tell me
jacquiek: I'm ready!
grizz: Everybody ready?
PHowardEsq: go for it
Jrutha: y
Karen10: y
wyoming33: y
grizz: Your hand is:  !SJ72-!HQT2-!DA32-!CAQ82
jacquiek: got my pen and paper
spum1: y
Wanda310: you don't use mud?
grizz: not from 3 to an honor
grizz: You are playing matchpoints, and nobody is vulnerable
grizz: As dealer you open 1!c, and the auction goes 1!c-P-2!c-2!h
gimit: What is the contract? 1 ST
gimit: ok
grizz: Partner has denied a major and showed a minimum.  First decision - compete, double or pass?
breck23: did I miss anything  got dis con
grizz: Your hand is:  !SJ72-!HQT2-!DA32-!CAQ82
grizz: You are playing matchpoints, and nobody is vulnerable
grizz: As dealer you open 1!c, and the auction goes 1!c-P-2!c-2!h
Jrutha: Inverted minor?
grizz: no
grizz: Partner has denied a major and showed a minimum.  First decision - compete, double or pass?
eubulides: vul?
spum1: p
j2l: compete
keithdice: P
cdt: c
Jrutha: c
tootsie769: c
FleuretteD: c
grizz: You are playing matchpoints, and nobody is vulnerable
PHowardEsq: pass; wait to see what develops
r_pakker: i would pass
sharon J: compete
jacquiek: pass
dae: p
wyoming33: p see what P has to say
nesualc: c
grizz: You are playing matchpoints, and nobody is vulnerableDo you want to declare 2NT with this hand opposite a dead minimum?  Not me!
diana_eva: pass hand is too flat
PHowardEsq: no way!
trudean 24: X
nesualc: 3c
grizz: And 3!c could get doubled off for a phone number.  You have a solid opener, but the !c suit is average, and partner didn't have enough stuff for 1NT.
analisals: p
grizz: Can we beat it?  We probably have 1!h, 1!d and 2!cs in this hand, and maybe a trick or 2 in partner's hand.  
grizz: Should we X it?
PHowardEsq: not yet
spum1: n
tootsie769: n
dae: n
wyoming33: n
grizz: Partner probably would (correctly) read that bid as takeout, implying !ds.  
grizz: You don't have 4!S, partner has already denied 4!s, so must make his best guess whether to take out or pass.
tootsie769: p
grizz: Does the prospect of 3!dX make your blood run cold?  It should!
Jrutha: p
grizz: If partner guesses wrong, it was because your X forced him to do it.   So X is way too risky, therefore pass is the bid.
dae: 3 d?
PHowardEsq: pass; to wait & see LHO's response to the 2!H opener
->dae: dreadful bid
grizz: If partner has a move to make, let him make it.
wyoming33: r
dae: y-didn't know  how it would get there
grizz: Next decision - what to lead?  Trump is out of the question with this tenace holding sitting behind the bidder.  
grizz: Your hand is:  !SJ72-!HQT2-!DA32-!CAQ82
spum1: 2s
jacquiek: perfect.....
PHowardEsq: 8!C
dae: 2s
grizz: Leading from this !d suit is not a winning plan either.
Karen10: j!S
grizz: If we lead !cs, which one?  If RHO has the guarded K there is no safe lead.  
gimit: 7 s
r_pakker: 2
wyoming33: not a great hand to lead from
dae: can't lead or underlead AD
grizz: So by a process of elimination, we arrive at a safe !s.  
grizz: Dummy hits the table with !SK954-!H4-!DK9654-!C943.  Dummy plays low, partner plays the 8, and declarer wins the A.
grizz: Declarer leads a low !d, you duck, the K wins in dummy and partner follows small.
grizz: Declarer continues with the !h to his J and your Q.
jacquiek: good...you'd be a great mentor:)
grizz: Write this down too:  Trick 1 - !s2, 5, 8, A
grizz: Trick 2 - !d3, 2, K, 5
grizz: Trick 3 - !h4, 5, J, Q
grizz: The auction was: 1!c-P-2!c-2!h-P-P-P
grizz: Everybody got that?  Now it's time for some head scratching.
grizz: Question time.  1.  What's going on in !ss?  Where is the !ST?   And the !SQ?   How many !ss does declarer have?
grizz: 2.  What is the !h position?
grizz: 3.  Who has the !CK and !dQ?
grizz: 4.  How many !Cs does partner have?  Declarer?
grizz: 5.  What do you do now?
grizz: 6. And where is the Excedrin?
trudean 24: did ptnr have 5 clubs to bid 2 C
wyoming33: ?? 
grizz: Think about those questions for just a minute, and I'll show you the analysis.  Then we will see the hand.
r_pakker: i can not imagine the hands any longer...
jacquiek: I am befuddled
->jacquiek: i'll clear it up shortly
dae: partner had  5 S
wyoming33: too hard for me to follow
trudean 24: no  - no 4 c major
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jacquiek: p would have bid them if he had 5
grizz: 1.  What's going on in !ss?  Where is the !ST?   And the !SQ?   How many !ss does declarer have?
dae: declarer falsecarded
grizz: bingo!
grizz: Declarer would have won Trick 1 with the !ST if he had it, so partner played the lowest of equals  (T98).  
grizz: If partner had the QT8, he would have played 3rd hand high with the Q since this is not an exception to the rule.  
grizz: Since there is no finessable honor in dummy.
grizz: He knows not to finesse partner, and there is nothing to finesse in the dummy.
dae: what is exception to  rule?
grizz: If partner DID play low with QT8, invite him to this class so he can learn the error of his ways.   :)
grizz: Exception to 3rd hand high rule would be a finessable honor in dummy
grizz: So declarer has AQ and what else?  
dae: i c
grizz: If partner had 4!Ss, he surely would have bid 1!s, not 2!c.  
grizz: Also with 5-4 or 6-4 declarer should have Xed rather than pick a major.   
dae: so 4333
grizz: Furthermore if declarer had AQ tight, he surely would have unblocked the AQ before crossing to the board, where he could then pitch a loser on the !SK.  
grizz: Therefore he must have precisely the AQx.  See, the answer is clear if you ask the right questions.
grizz: 2.  How about the !h position?  You have the QTx, and declarer just finessed the J.  
jacquiek: You are amazing.
grizz: Again, partner did not bid 1!h so he can have a maximum of 3, you see 3 in your hand and 1 on the board.  
grizz: So declarer has 5 or 6, maybe 7.  He could have AJxxx(x)(x), KJxxx(x)(x), or AKJxx(x)(x).  
PHowardEsq: 6 in Declarer's hand, leaving him with 6-3-2-2
eubulides: if p had 4 to honor would have bid 1 h
grizz: exactly
grizz: So what does North have in !H?
grizz: If partner started with the !hA he always gets it, so we don't have to plan for that contingency.
grizz: If he started with the Kx it's dead now, so we don't have to plan for that contingency.
grizz: If he started with the Kxx he always gets it, so we don't have to plan for that contingency either.
grizz: The only dangerous position that we can do something about is declarer holding AKJxxx.  
grizz: If he has that, then he has 3 top !ss, 1 long !s, 5!hs and the !dK that he took already.  
BILManager (Lobby): => Club: !D!DGrizz's Indy Tournament #748 begins in about 5 mins. Pleae register to play for Fun, $ prizes and BBO Masterpoints. Click on Tournaments on the Right side of your chat window to register. The more that play, the bigger the prizes!H!H
grizz: Therefore he can pitch a minor loser on the long !s if we don't cash our minor winners without delay.
grizz: 3.  Who has the !CK and !dQ?
grizz: If declarer has the !SAQ (which we have deduced) and !HAKJ (which we must assume), then if he has the !CK too he would have 17 points.
grizz: He might then have doubled first and then bid, rather than make a simple overcall. 
dae: e can't have Q d
grizz: There is room in declarer's hand for the !DQ, and if he has it then he makes 4 all day long - if so, we might be having a good board here.  
ckleiber: you really are setting records:)))
eubulides: p must have some pts
grizz: But if South has it, that trick may go away on the long !s.  
->ckleiber: :)
grizz: 4.  How many !Cs does partner have?  Declarer?
grizz: If partner had 5, he probably would compete to 3!c non-vul.  So he probably has 4.  That means declarer has 0, 1 or 2.
grizz: 5.  What do you do now?
grizz: All indications are that we should go active on defense.  We have tricks that will go away on declarer's long suits. 
grizz: Therefore we must take risks that we ordinarily would not, such as leading from  AQxx.  We must play partner for the K here.
grizz: So the plan now is to cash the !DA, cash the !CA, and lead a !c.  That will hold ops to 3.  Aren't you glad that you didn't double?
analisals: lead clubs
grizz: There was nothing remarkable about this hand.  It was a part score, as 75% of them will be.  
grizz: There was no way to set the hand, as is often the case.
grizz: All that mental energy was expended for the sake of one less overtrick?  
jacquiek: lead club
analisals: lol
grizz: You asked all the right questions, and figured out the position and the correct defense.
grizz: So what was the upside of all that work?
analisals: ain't we great ??
dae: top score
grizz: Glad you asked.  We are playing matchpoints:  -170 = 27%  :(
wyoming33: in matchpoints maybe a top board
analisals: good for our brain to think once in a while
grizz: -140 = 65%!!!
grizz: That in a nutshell is what good defense is all about.  You can sit back, follow suit and hope for good things to happen if you want to play 27% bridge.  
LadyStar17: super great lesson    LOVED  the coded 9's and 10's!!!
grizz: Or you can do some detective work, analyze the position, make some assumptions, discard others, and play 65% bridge.
grizz: The extra work is what separates the good players from the average ones.
grizz: When you kibitz good players you will see them making plays like this, but you can't see what their thought process is.  
grizz: It might seem as though they are lucky, but in reality the harder they work, the luckier they get.
grizz: You folks would not be here if you were satisfied with 27% bridge, and I am glad that you are here.  
grizz: We already have learned a lot, and will be learning a lot more as we proceed.  
bertt: can u claim the hand so i can save it
JanaDe: this was great for counting too, grizz. ty
grizz: Put these lessons to use at the table, and I guarantee 3 things -
grizz: 1.  You will score better.
grizz: 2.  You will have more fun.
grizz: 3.  And you will move to the next level in a hurry.
grizz: Are there any questions?
eubulides: why can't s bid 1 nt w 6 pts?
Jrutha: where can we find these wonderful lessons
camilleln: how do you deal with everyone wanting fast play when trying to use this?
wyoming33: right here - every saturday
grizz: they will be in the BIL archives, and soon they will be on my website too
PedroG: tomorrow perhaps :)
->PedroG: :)
grizz: fast play and counting just don't work together
PedroG: will he have our session Pete?
grizz: so let the fast players play each other
->PedroG: sure  :)
PedroG: oki
wyoming33: right
grizz: don't worry, they won't improve   :)
jacquiek->Club: good advice
camilleln: :)
grizz: That concludes today's lesson, and next week we will look at what the opening lead looks like from the point of view of the 3rd hand.
PedroG: very good advice
grizz: If anybody needs help retrieving the hand records or chat log, please email me at grizz@GrizzBridge.com.  
wyoming33: thanks much
grizz: I am also available for private lessons, you can email me at grizz@GrizzBridge.com for more information.
grizz: Thanks for your interest and participation, and I hope to see you next week.
grizz: Thanks also to Maureen, Fred and the wonderful people at BBO who make this all possible.
gimit: tks :o)
breck23: thank you Grizz
Jrutha: Thank u so much
FleuretteD: thanks to you too  :)
cdt: Thanks :)
grizz: my pleasure   :)
Wanda310: Thanks Pete for a wonderful lessons!H :)
Karen10: thanks very much Pete !!! helps:)
PedroG: TY Pete
mei ann: ty pete
trafalgar2: thx Pete
spum1: ty pete
grizz: Pedro is here, and says that we may have archives up on my website as soon as tomorrow!!@!!
mei ann: is your website ready for preview pete?
PedroG: yep :) for sure
PedroG: http://www.grizzbridge.com/
grizz: yes, it's up now, more coming soon
beryl8: GREAT lesson, grizz.....thanks!
->beryl8: :)
grizz: ok gang, gtg now but i'll see you back here next weekend