| Beginner's Korner -- Tip of the Month
Spade and Club Combinations - Left Passing Situations
We go back to the Korner for a useful strategy tip - utilizing certain card combinations in the spade and club suits. Let us look at two hands. It is the beginning of a game, or the pass is to the left during the course of a game. Assume in the latter case that the score is close.
Hand #1  A 10 3  K 10 2  K Q 6 5  A 5 2
Hand #2  K J 5  A Q 9 4 3  Q 9 4  A 10
Hand #3  A 5 3 2  K Q 7  K  A K J 3
Remember the pass is to the left here. In each of these hands, you hold a high spade, the Ace of clubs, and no reasonable expectation for a Moon, barring poor defense or a ridiculous pass of high hearts. Here is the best way to handle the pass for each hand.
Hand #1
You have a very flat hand here, that is, there are no distributional features. The impulse is to pass the Ace of spades and two other cards. Give yourself a better chance! Pass the Ace of clubs, ten of hearts, and a high diamond. Keep the big Spade! The idea is to induce West to take the Ace of clubs on the first trick and to lead a spade to your Ace. This strategy might backfire if West holds the Queen of spades. (a one out of three possibility). You have a really bad diamond suit, and two rather chunky hearts. Passing the ten of hearts will save four points, and will stop a possible Moon by West. Shortening the diamond suit is an improvement. Unloading the high club helps as well. Finally, if the spade Queen is passed to you, the Ace is another backer.
Hand #2
This is a lot easier. Drop the two clubs and the nine of hearts. I like keeping the Queen of hearts here, in case the player on your right is greedy and passes the King and Jack of hearts to you. Now, you have a void in clubs, and a possible place to unload the spade King, if you don't receive a spade lead from the left.
Hand #3
This hand gets mixed reviews. You do hold ace - fourth of spades, and I recommend that you always keep the Ace or King of spades whenever you have at least three low supporting spades. The only kicker here is that accompanying spades are really small and spades leads from the right could be a problem. Drop the stiff diamond, the Ace of clubs, and the Queen of hearts. Now you have a potential void in a minor suit, and the same chance of receiving a favorable spade lead. If the spade Queen is passed to you, she will fit in nicely with those four spades. I would not object to the alternate pass of the Ace and King of clubs and the heart Queen.
Summary (Left hand passing scenarios):
When holding Ace or King of spades and at least two other smaller spades, as well as a side Ace of clubs, keep the big spade, and pass the Ace of clubs, a middle (stopper) heart, and another card of your choice. This technique will save you a lot of points.
Annual Holiday Quiz -- "HeartsBusters" Challenge!
It's that time of the year again. Win an autographed copy of The Complete Win At Hearts and four new decks of Bicycle playing cards. I know it's not the same as an all-expenses paid trip to Caribbean or San Diego but a prize is a prize, especially if there is no entry fee or even a postage stamp required!
Here are four hands - All are keeper or hold hands. The scores are very close, with no more than a ten point lead for anyone. You are playing hand # 8. What is your plan for each scenario?
HAND #1
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The opening lead is taken by your Right hand opponent, who plays the Ace of clubs. You let go of the nine spot - a very essential play. He tables the ten of spades, as you cover with your Jack, and the Ace is won in fourth seat. The nine of spades fetches the seven, your King, and the deuce. Eight spades are down. What is your best line of play to avoid getting trapped?
HAND #2
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Now we have to sweat out the spade suit! The deuce of clubs is played by your left hand opponent. The Ace comes up in second seat, and the Queen of clubs appears. You drop that junk tenspot. Of course, a low spade is pushed, and the nine is played. You insert the Jack, and the Ace wins the trick. Another spade is driven, and this time, three low spots appear, as your ten is winning. What is the best plan here?
HAND #4
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Here is a distributional layout - a bit unusual for keeper hands. You will need a lot of luck to escape from this mess! The opening club lead is won by the Ace on your right, as you drop the nine, and two high clubs also are played. You heave a sigh of relief as the three of clubs is tabled, and once again you play low, and the other two opponents follow suit. Now, a predictable spade is pushed, and you win the Ace, as the opponents follow with middle spades. You play the Ace of diamonds, and the Jack, nine, and eight are unloaded. OK- now what?
The first three persons with the correct line of play for all four hands will win the book and cards. The correct solutions and the names of the winners will be listed in the December 2004 column. Please send your solutions to: heartsmoon@aol.com
Events
Grand Prix World Series of Hearts - Chicago 17-19, 2004 Final Results
1st Place: Patrick Kington (OH)
2nd Place: Tom Wiencek (IL)
3rd Place: Renee Stagg (IL)
4th Place: James Rochford (IN)
TOTAL CASH PRIZES AWARDED $ 1500
And for the latest information about Hearts Tournaments and other information, check out the Grand Prix Site at: www.grandprixtournaments.com
My best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...
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