[blml] Clubbed Queen

[Tim West-Meads]

Sven wrote:

> >       Q85
> >       -
> >       -
> >       98
> >           -
> > immat     xx
> >           x
> >           Qx
> > 
> >         Jx
> >         x
> >         x
> >         T
> > 
> > Please tell me what you think is the best line for the contract?
> > Hint: nothing ethical is going to work.
> > 
> > If, as TD, you do nothing to protect players from such Alcatraz
> > positions you allow the cheats to walk all over the game
> 
> I see no possibility for an Alcatraz coup here?

Call for the "five of clubs".  Partner will co-operate by reaching* for 
(but not actually putting in the played position) the C9 and RHO will 
play the Q slightly prematurely.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  As 
with other Alcatraz-type positions there's no guarantee of success but 
some chance is better than none at all.

*My Alcatraz-like opponents are slightly more on the ball than Richard's 
(linguistic variations may make different card combinations slightly 
more/less effective - thus in German it works a bit better to call for 
the six and have partner select (but not play) the 8.

And yes it is fairly common in my games to play on the call of the card 
rather than dummy's execution - to hesitate may give UI to partner, AI 
to declarer or be misleading if one holds a singleton.  

Tim