End Play vs Finesse by Charles Goren

Daytona Beach Morning Journal – Oct 31, 1951

Opening lead: 7

At a recent national championship appeared that one of the gentlemen of the press was following a certain interesting deal around the room to observe the variations in the treatment given the hand by the different masters.

At the table in question, declarer faced with a choice of plays to fulfill his contract, chose the wrong one and went down to defeat. Declarer in his apology to partner pointed out that he considered playing for the squeeze which would have worked but came to the conclusion that the finesse was the better percentage play.

“Did you think.” blurted his irate runner. “that this enterprising young reporter moved that heavy chair all the way over to this table just to see you take a finesse”- I sympathize with the victim. The end play is the dramatic way to bring in a hand, but where the finesse though lacking glamour figures to have the better chance I’am all for it as South might have reasoned in todays hand.

The 7 was opened. East ducked and South won with the jack. Declarers first play was the Q which East perhaps unwisely decided to take. He then established the spade suit by leading the ace and another. At this point it became mandatory to play West for the ace of clubs, for if East had that card the contract was doomed.

Declarer, therefore, mentally projected an end play against West, who having shown with only two spades was likely to be long in hearts. He cashed his four diamonds and the K and J. Then in the hope that West had the 9, he played the 7. East, however, showed up with that card and claimed the balance.

Declarers plan had been well conceived, but we feel a finessing program in clubs would have been a superior selection. The Play to build up a club trick will work to a great number of cases. The contemplated attack will fall whenever West has all three honors and it will fail when East has both the queen and ten, but in the other cases which are considerably more frequent, it will succeed.

The suggested play consists of leading a low club from dummy. When East plays low, the nine is finessed. If it forces the queen his troubles are over, but loses to the ten and West gets out. On the next lead of clubs, Declarer intends to finesse against East’s Q. When that card shows up, the day’s toll is ended.

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