MIT/DL Session Note                                            23 Dec 96
-------------------                                           Paul Wendt
 
DUCK, DUCK, DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE

Raiding the memory banks . . . Defenders had several chances to duck
tricks at notrump on this deal last month (MIT/DL, 26 Nov):
        JTxx
        AT
        JTxx
        QJx
xxx             A9xx
4x              KQ875
xxx             Kxx
KTxxx           x
        KQ
        J9xx
        AQx
        A9xx
East opened 1H, routine.  At my table, South overcalled 1N and played
there when North was unimpressed by all the "jens"; perhaps the contract
was 2N or 3N at your table.

On the h4, top of nothing, declarer played the ten.  Ducking leaves West
with a small heart, so defenders can establish the suit, and enjoy it,
if each has one side winner and West wins a trick first --or if East has
two side winners.  On the other hand, winning and continuing hearts
leaves West without a small heart, so defenders enjoy the suit only if
East has two side winners.  East ducked.  

Now defenders hoped for West to win the first stopper; declarer hoped
for East to win first.  Declarer played spades, which was correct on two
counts: the spade is defenders' one certain stopper, since it cannot be
finessed; anyway, it is the highcard East is most likely to hold for the
opening bid (in a sound or moderate bidding style).  East continued the
defense by ducking two spades.  Duck, Duck, Duck.

[repeated for convenience; declarer has three tricks in hand]
        JT
        A
        JTxx
        QJx
x               A9
x               KQ75
xxx             Kxx
K9xxx           x
        --
        J9x
        AQx
        ATxx
With two spade tricks in hand, declarer turned to the minor suits and
"changed hopes".  With hA still in place as an entry to take a *winning*
minor finesse and lose no tricks in that suit, declarer hoped to attack
West's king (if any), the potential *losing* finesse.  Attacking East's
king, here a diamond, would "lose": East wins that trick (don't duck the
finessable king!) and clears hearts; declarer takes the three good
diamonds and cA and concedes the last four tricks.

Declarer played a club toward dummy, which "wins".  (Is it a guess?) 
West could not pop the king without giving declarer all but the spade,
for 11 tricks (with the diamond king marked and suit breaking 3-3). 
West ducked.  Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck.

But the goose was cooked.  Declarer reasoned that East would not duck
the finessable club, so the club must be off and (from the bidding) the
diamond on.  Three rounds of diamonds dropped the king and another club
to dummy threatened a "slam", by switching back to spades, if West
ducked again.  West popped, making 11.

EPILOGUE

Actually, the deal was (compare dA, cK, h & c length):
        JTxx
        AT
        JTxx
        QJx
xxx             A9xx
432             KQ875
Axx             Kxx
Txxx            x
        KQ
        J96
        Qxx
        AKTxx
South overcalled notrump with a halfstop and the bridge gods dealt West
the opaque 432.  The fourth "duck" was no duck at all; declarer used
that club entry to lead a third spade and finish with 10 tricks, where
there were only 6 in the cards.  Beating all but the lucky souls who
enjoyed the same defense after bidding game.


----
        Ax                  Ax
    xx      KQxxx       xx      Kxxxxx
        Jxxx                Qxx


        Kx                  Kx
    xx      AQJxx       xx      AQxxxx
        Txxx                Jxx

When West holds a doubleton, defenders often "win" (where that includes
giving declarer a side-suit guess) by ducking the first trick. 
Diagnosis may be difficult.

                                               ----Paul Wendt, 23 Dec 96