| The Pass (to the left) was completed, and Sandy was stunned when she received the Ace and Queen of Hearts as well as Her Royal Majesty, the Queen of Spades.
The hand appeared to be a lock for at least 20 points, perhaps more. This could drop her from first place to last place, as the game was very tight with everyone nestled in the 80- to 95-point range. With her balanced shape (4-3-3-3), and the odds against the Hearts suit breaking evenly, the hand appeared to be a lost cause. Note: the distribution probabilities for Bridge, Spades, Whist, etc., do not apply to the game of Hearts when there is a pass of three cards. The normal percentage of a 4-3-3-3 break in any one suit (36%) would be relevant only when there is a keeper, or “hold,” hand.
Sandy was hoping to drop her Spade Queen on some unfortunate player who might be forced to play the Ace or King of Spades in front of her. In this way, she could cut her damage to 8 or 9 points (the 3 of hearts was a sure escape card). In the meantime, West was just licking his chops at the prospect of driving out “her nibs.” East won the Ace of Clubs, and shifted to the 9 of Spades. Sandy ducked low, and West concealed a grin as he won the Jack of Spades and continued with the 10-spot. The third round of the suit was played with great gusto, and it fetched the Black Lady! Sandy longingly thought about bailing the 3 of Hearts. However, those big Hearts in her hand were sure to land a boatload of points. Thus, she started the Heart suit from the top down. When everyone followed three times, the lowly 3-spot was a passage to the Moon, and in this case, the game!
Was Sandy lucky? How would you have played this hand?
Holiday Quiz Answers
1. You are the dealer. The pass is completed, and the score is 0-0. You hold:
 A 5,  A K Q J 2,  K Q,  A K 10 9
The lead of Club Deuce draws the Jack and Queen. What is your plan? Take the King, and shift to the Diamond King. This is slightly better than the immediate lead of the 5 of Spades, as the Diamond suit must be resolved first. If the Ace appears, take any Club or Diamond return, and now play the Spade 5. The hand could get sticky if someone is short in Diamonds, or your Ace of Spades is prematurely dislodged (and the Queen of Spades does NOT appear).
2. You are the dealer in a close (middle) game, and the pass to the right is completed. You hold:
 K Q 10 8 6,  A K Q 3 2,  None,  K 10 3
The Deuce of Clubs catches the Ace and Queen as you let go of the 10-spot. Now the Jack of Spades comes from “across the street,” followed by the 9, your King, and the Ace. A low Spade is then tabled. It fetches a small Heart discard and the 7 of Spades as you insert the 8-spot. Now what?
Well, the first order of business is to strip the Spade suit. This may require two more rounds. Watch for more Heart discards. You do have good play for the Moon here, if the Hearts are evenly split. Cash the Club King, and then take the top two Hearts. If everyone follows twice, you're home free! If, however, the suit is behaving badly, you can escape with the Club 3, and park the Queen of Hearts on either minor suit. If someone has five Hearts (you will find this out when you cash the Ace), you will be able to escape cleanly, as you have the luxury of TWO control cards!
3. This a “hold” hand. You are in third place with a score in the high 70s. First place has a 20-point lead. You hold this array:
 J 10 2,  A K Q J 10 2,  10,  K Q J
The Deuce of Clubs (left) draws the 10, the 9, and your King. You play your stiff Diamond, and up comes the Ace, Queen, and 9-spot. The player across from you now cashes the Ace and King of Spades as everyone follows twice (whew!). Now a third round of Spades is led, and out comes the Ace of Clubs (what an awful error!) and the 9 of Hearts. This is too easy -- LOL -- start the Hearts from the top down -- and enjoy the ride to the Moon!
4. It is the start of a new game. You are the dealer. The pass is done, and you hold this:
 A K Q,  A K 9 3 2,  K 9,  Q J 9
What a dog! The Deuce of Clubs draws the Ace, the King, and your 9. A Spade is promptly led. Your Ace draws three smaller Spades. Now you try a sneaky Diamond 9. Up comes the Ace, and another Spade lead. You are in with the King, and your damsel is in distress. You lead a Club, and it draws a Heart, and two Clubs. What is next?
Continue with your last Club, followed by your last Diamond. Observe any Heart discards. Now play the Ace and King of Hearts, followed by the 9. If someone has a Heart stopper, you must hope that he does not have a Spade. It is your only chance. And you might even get to the Moon -- if your opponents are greedy and unload the potential Heart stopper!
Congratulations to Alan Higgins (VA), who came out with three correct answers, and a reasonably close partial solution to the last hand.
Happy Holidays to all! | |
