42: September 2007 Archives

A couple of the 42 players talk about finessing. And I wonder just how often you are able to finesse in 42. After all, there are only seven tricks in the round. And the "cards" in your hand are members of two suits. Usually, the focus in this game is to take the point bones (3:2, 4:1, 5:0, 5:5, and 6:4). However, there are times where you are "booked" and points do not matter. You must take all of the remaining tricks.

It seems to me that the finesse in 42 is an all or nothing proposition. Definitely when you are "booked." But also when the opposing team is looking for opportunities to dump points onto a loosing trick. You do not normally want to loose control of what is led since you often have losers that you might be forced to play.

Whereas, it might not be that case in bridge. With so many more cards, I think all might not be lost if your finesse fails. You can try some other strategy. Or am I wrong?

Today was the day of bad trump splits in 42. I was set in two hands because of it. In the first hand, I had 5 4's including the boss trump (4:4). However I was missing the 6:4 and one other four. The person to my left had the remaining two to set me. In the other hand, I had a two-mark hand. I had three blanks (0:0, 0:6, and 0:4), doubles, and a potential walker under the double. And the person to my left had three blanks as well including the 0:5.