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Board 4: With 2 1/2 quick tricks and a void, West is much too strong for any preempt; this is a 1H opening regardless of style. North doubles for takeout. East shows his strength with a redouble, planning to support hearts later. (With 4 trumps most players would bid 2NT, the Jordan convention, showing the values for a redouble along with a big fit. This convention gives up nothing since a strong balanced hand should redouble.)
South has a high-offense, low-defense hand, ideal for preemptive action; South should not be willing to defend against four of a major and should simply leap to 5D, putting maximum pressure on E/W. (3D would be constructive had East passed but preemptive over the strength-showing redouble; but 3D doesn't so justice to South's hand.)
If South passes or bids any number of diamonds below 5, West should rebid his hearts. This action does not show any extra high cards but simply announces West's extra shape. Over 5D, West should probably still bid given his seven card suit and diamond void. However, pass is plausible at this level. North must not misinterpret South's jump as showing any strength; East cannot justify bidding 5H and the probable result is 5D doubled, down 2 for a disappointing +500. 4H or 5H scores +680 when the club finesse works.
Board 15: West opens 1H or1NT; the concentrated values argue for a suit contract. Over 1H North might overcall 2C but with an extra Ace and Ten and a fair five-card suit the hand can be upgraded to a 1NT overcall. East bids 2H over either bid, and South should make a "responsive double." This gadget applies when your left-hand opponent (LHO) opens a suit, partner overcalls or doubles, and RHO raises opener's suit -- it does not apply when RHO bids another suit. South has a minimal hand but when one side has a fit, the other is a heavy favorite to have one as well, and South can expect to ruff one of his losing hearts in North's hand. West has minmum range (up to 15 hcp) and minimal shape (5332) and so has no reason to bid over the double. If North overcalled in clubs he can assume South has spades and diamonds and so bid 3D; if he overcalled notrump he must bid clubs at this point. Either way the bidding is at the 3 level and neither East nor West has any reason not to defend. West's extra values will be just as useful on defense as declaring. This is the basic "Law of Total Tricks" situation -- push the opponents to the three level, then sell out if you do not have some distributional asset to favor declaring. At matchpoints, West might try a "hair-trigger" double, showing general high card strength rather than any particular trump holding.
N/S can theoretically make 8 tricks at diamonds or 7 at clubs, but in practice I think it will be hard to avoid an extra loser -- . Down 2 doubled or down 3 doubled or not beats 3H making 3.
Board 21: Any number of auctions are possible with this wild collection; North's ahnd qualifies for a strong 2C opening but the shape is difficult to bid out without forcing to game. Assuming 1S, some Easts might preempt with 3C but I recommend a pass. South has another high-offense, zero defense collection and should jump to 4S. West has a good hand for an Unusual 4NT. North doubles this to show his strength; East leaps to 6C; North probably buys the contract at 6S. Playing West (who showed a two-suiter) for possible short spades allows North or South to avoid all but one spade loser. A 7C sacrifice would pay off on this ocassion; that would be more likely if East preempted at his first chance, but both East and West have too much potential defense to guess 7C otherwise.
Board 32: West opens 1C, East replies 1H, and South preempts 3D. West doubles, showing general strength, and North raises to 4D. East should bid 4H almost no matter what the previous auction. 4H should buy the contract but if N/S compete to 5D West can reasonably bid 5H based on the potential source of tricks in clubs.
East ruffs the diamond lead and tries a club toward dummy, hoping to establish the suit. South's Queen is a mixed blessing, but East has plenty of high trumps and proceeds by ruffing a club high, heart to dummy, ruff a second club high, heart to dummy, and since that pulls the last trump, discards three spades, cashes the Ace of spades and gives up a spade trick, making 6. I don't see an obvious way to reach the slam.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday 12/27/2010
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Board 10: East opens 1S; West has a classic "splinter raise", 4D showing a singleton or void in diamonds, 11-14 hcp (less with a void), and good 4 card trump support. East's Queen of diamonds is wasted opposite the singleton, and the Ace is of limited value (it won't combine with anything in partner's hand), but basically he can count four losers (King of spades, Ace-King of hearts, Ace of clubs) and can expect responder to cover three of those. It is possible to contruct a hand for responder missing both high hearts, but there isn't much room to investigate; a 5C cue-bid takes the bidding beyond 4NT and prevents checking on key cards (the four Aces plus the King of trumps.) East bids 4NT; if that's RKCB, West replies 5H (two key cards without the Queen of trumps) and East bids the slam. (If East opts for a 5C cue-bid, West should cue-bid 5H and then raise to slam.)
12 tricks are easy; it would be difficult to manage 13 even without a club lead.
Board 17: North opens 1D and East jams the bidding with 2S. South can see slam possibilities in three suits; 3H eats a lot of bidding space but nothing else appeals -- clubs is a much stronger suit but risks landing in a 5-2 fit there rather than 5-3 in hearts. West competes with 3S, North raises to 4H and South can either cue-bid 4S or try 4NT despite the void. Playing RKCB, 4NT will probably yield more useful information than the cue-bid; North replies 5S (two key cards + Q) which East likely doubles for the lead; South redoubles to show control. North bids 6H; although 7 can be made double-dummy, there is no easy line aside from finessing in clubs, and you don't want ot bid a grand slam needing a finesse.
South ruffs the spade lead. If trumps are 3-1, pulling three rounds leaves one in each hand for a total of 5 more trump tricks, along with 3 diamonds and 2 clubs. One trick short -- declarer must establish a club trick or "reverse the dummy", ruffing at least twice more in hand before pulling the trump. Heart to dummy (noting both follow, so no 4-0 split), ruff a second spade low (the bidding make 8-1 implausible), diamond to dummy, ruff a third spade with the King, heart back to dummy to pull trumps, then AK of clubs and ruff a club (too dangerous to finesse), cash two more diamonds and concede a spade.
Board 29: With both sides vulnerable, no one should be feeling "frisky" and the bidding should start with three passes to West. With 4 1/2 quick tricks and only 4 losers, West qualifies for a 2C opening, but it can be difficult to show two-suited hands with that opening, so 1S is the recommended bid -- you won't miss many games if partner passes that. North overcalls 2D and East scrapes up a 2S raise. South might consider a preemptive diamond raise but the vulnerability and "poison Queen" in the enemy suit (when you have their Queen, they have something you need) argue for passing.
West still has 4 losers, including that stiff King; a simple raise will typically cover 2 or 3 losers, so West can try for slam. His 3H bid should be initially taken as a "game try"; East raises to 4H, indicating more hearts than spades. Now West bids 4NT, RKCB, and bids 6H when East shows one key card. 11 trumps makes the slam easy; 6S is trickier but should make in practice barring the double-dummy King of clubs lead (which fouls declarer's communications.)
Board 10: East opens 1S; West has a classic "splinter raise", 4D showing a singleton or void in diamonds, 11-14 hcp (less with a void), and good 4 card trump support. East's Queen of diamonds is wasted opposite the singleton, and the Ace is of limited value (it won't combine with anything in partner's hand), but basically he can count four losers (King of spades, Ace-King of hearts, Ace of clubs) and can expect responder to cover three of those. It is possible to contruct a hand for responder missing both high hearts, but there isn't much room to investigate; a 5C cue-bid takes the bidding beyond 4NT and prevents checking on key cards (the four Aces plus the King of trumps.) East bids 4NT; if that's RKCB, West replies 5H (two key cards without the Queen of trumps) and East bids the slam. (If East opts for a 5C cue-bid, West should cue-bid 5H and then raise to slam.)
12 tricks are easy; it would be difficult to manage 13 even without a club lead.
Board 17: North opens 1D and East jams the bidding with 2S. South can see slam possibilities in three suits; 3H eats a lot of bidding space but nothing else appeals -- clubs is a much stronger suit but risks landing in a 5-2 fit there rather than 5-3 in hearts. West competes with 3S, North raises to 4H and South can either cue-bid 4S or try 4NT despite the void. Playing RKCB, 4NT will probably yield more useful information than the cue-bid; North replies 5S (two key cards + Q) which East likely doubles for the lead; South redoubles to show control. North bids 6H; although 7 can be made double-dummy, there is no easy line aside from finessing in clubs, and you don't want ot bid a grand slam needing a finesse.
South ruffs the spade lead. If trumps are 3-1, pulling three rounds leaves one in each hand for a total of 5 more trump tricks, along with 3 diamonds and 2 clubs. One trick short -- declarer must establish a club trick or "reverse the dummy", ruffing at least twice more in hand before pulling the trump. Heart to dummy (noting both follow, so no 4-0 split), ruff a second spade low (the bidding make 8-1 implausible), diamond to dummy, ruff a third spade with the King, heart back to dummy to pull trumps, then AK of clubs and ruff a club (too dangerous to finesse), cash two more diamonds and concede a spade.
Board 29: With both sides vulnerable, no one should be feeling "frisky" and the bidding should start with three passes to West. With 4 1/2 quick tricks and only 4 losers, West qualifies for a 2C opening, but it can be difficult to show two-suited hands with that opening, so 1S is the recommended bid -- you won't miss many games if partner passes that. North overcalls 2D and East scrapes up a 2S raise. South might consider a preemptive diamond raise but the vulnerability and "poison Queen" in the enemy suit (when you have their Queen, they have something you need) argue for passing.
West still has 4 losers, including that stiff King; a simple raise will typically cover 2 or 3 losers, so West can try for slam. His 3H bid should be initially taken as a "game try"; East raises to 4H, indicating more hearts than spades. Now West bids 4NT, RKCB, and bids 6H when East shows one key card. 11 trumps makes the slam easy; 6S is trickier but should make in practice barring the double-dummy King of clubs lead (which fouls declarer's communications.)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Sunday, 12/26/2010
Right-click here for hands. Six tables the day after Christmas -- ot bad! Good to see the Saunier clan out in force, and congratulations to the Stanwix-Hays.
Board 1: North opens 2NT in most styles (20-21.) South has 10 hcp and some shape; slam in notrump probably has poor odds, but 6H or 6C could be right if partner has 4 card support for either suit and good controls. Playing transfers, South shows his heart suit by bidding 3D. This might be a very weak hand but consider these hands:
North Possible South (Actual South)
I'd want to be in game opposite even a hand that weak, especially with the lead coming up the strong hand, and wouldn't expect partner to bid it. I'm cautious about super-accepting but with 20 points in Aces and Kings, a big fit and a side doubleton I think North should leap to 4H. A super-accept should indicate a hand that has revalued to stronger than the announced range of the notrump bid; North is easily worth 22 points in support of hearts.
South could bid 4NT (Blackwood, RKCB or 1430) but with no control of either minor I think a 4S cue-bid is best. North can then bid 4NT and settle for 6H when he learns one Ace is missing. Playing RKCB, South would reply to 4NT with 5D (1 or 4 key cards.) North would like to ask about the Queen of trumps -- it's usually poor to bid slam missing a key card and the Queen -- but there's no asking bid below 5H. Combining the odds partner has the Queen or the suit breaks 2-2, North goes ahead with 6H.
Playing RKCB-1430, South replies 5C and North can bid 5D to ask about the Queen. South confirms her majesty with a 5S or 5NT bid depending on style, and North bids 6H. The slam is a bit iffy thanks to the duplicated values in spades; declarer can cash most of the winners but sooner or later must try the diamond finesse. 6C and 6NT come down to the same play; this time the 4-4 fit doesn't help.
Board 5: East opens 1C. South should not act surprised or start asking questions about what 1C means; might as well scream "I have clubs." South cannot possibly wish to bid vulnerable and should pass in tempo. West responds 1H and North should pass -- that isn't a vulnerable overcall.
East has a fine hand in support of hearts. Adding 3 for the singleton and 1 for the doubleton to the 12 high card points, East has a maximum raise to 2H. Add the 10 & 9 of clubs and it would be clear to jump to 3H.
West bids 4H over the single raise, but should try for slam over a jump, unless partner is known to jump light. The clubs can't be set up and the spade finesse loses, so 4H is the winning spot. North leads a club and declarer should consider whether to try and establish the clubs or ruff several times in dummy. Declarer lacks the entries to his hand for multiple ruffs; I think it's easier to set up the clubs but either way declarer should manage 10 tricks. The double-dummy analysis says West can make 5H but the lineis not obvious.
Board 10: East passes and South opens 1H. Some Wests might trot out the Michaels cue-bid, but I think that's gadgetitis -- this is a spade overcall. North passes and East replies 1NT, about 8-11 over an overcall. West's strength and shape are enough for a 3D jump, though I'm reluctant to make that bid with relatively "empty" suits. Settling for 2D, East has just enough for a raise. (East's hand is NOT worth 2NT, which would suggest 11 hcp; 2NT is almost always a game invitation or a gadget of some sort, it requires more strength to make 8 tricks at notrump than nine in a suit when you have a good fit and shape.) Back to West -- with four card support expected, and two or three tricks in high cards, West's hand grows enormously; he can cue-bid 4C or just blast 6D. (3S would be another option if you could be sure partner would never pass.)
I can't give a point-count formula for a hand like West's; without a fit, he could go down in a part-score. But when East raises diamonds, showing four-card support, West expects 3 losers: one each in spades, hearts, and diamonds; East needs any two of the Ace of spades, King of hearts, and King of diamonds for slam to be excellent.
At 6D declarer ruffs the club lead, crosses to dummy with a trump, and leads the spade toward his KQ. South must take his Ace or it will be ruffed out. Now one spade ruff sets up the suit and makes the slam. If North had the spade Ace, the suit could still be established with two ruffs (one low and the second high if needed.)
Board 12: Some Norths would open a weak 2S but I think that's wrong with such a poor suit and the side major. South must choose among a "pushy" 2C, an off-beat 2NT, or a really heavy 1C. I expect 1C would be the overwhelming choice of experts; improve the suit to AQ109xx and I would open 2C, as 3NT might make opposite zero points. The hand is definetely too strong for 2NT; 2C followed by 2NT would be better, but 1C-1H-3NT looks like a sensible auction.
North responds 1S rather than 1H; now what? Experts and well-oiled partnerships would bid 2D, a forcing "reverse" bid (partner must go to the three level if he prefer's opener's original suit.) There are various agreements over reverses, including 4th suit strong, other bids weak; lebensohl (2NT for weak hands); and Ingberman (cheaper of 2NT or the 4th suit for weak hands, 2H in this case.) In all cases, however, 2S should be unlimited, forcing, and the preferred bid with a 5 card suit -- this is an exception to all the advice you read about needing 6 cards to rebid your suit.
Here, most Norths would rebid 2H (whether natural or artificial) but I think 2S is better. South isn't likely to have 4 hearts after his reverse and a 6-2 fit is usaully better than 5-3. South is delighted and jumps to 4S. North counts 5 losers (AK of spades, AQ of hearts, A of clubs) and can deduct one since there South must be short in hearts. The Kx in clubs is a big asset on this bidding. Blackwood is always a problem with a void, you'd really like to know which Aces partner has, but it doesn't pay to start cue-bidding at the five level when you need multiple cards. I'd bid 4NT, whatever variety, and bid 6 when partner shows 3 aces or 4 key cards. As is usually the case, you don't need to bid 7 to get a good score on a difficult to bid hand. Both black suits behave and declarer claims 14 or 15 tricks.
What if you don't have clear agreements about reverses? Then I think 3NT over 1S is the practical bid, or perhaps you should stretch to open 2C to avoid underbidding the hand.
Board 1: North opens 2NT in most styles (20-21.) South has 10 hcp and some shape; slam in notrump probably has poor odds, but 6H or 6C could be right if partner has 4 card support for either suit and good controls. Playing transfers, South shows his heart suit by bidding 3D. This might be a very weak hand but consider these hands:
North Possible South (Actual South)
Kx xxx AQ
AKxx Qxxxx Q1098x
Kxx xxx xx
AKJx xx QxxxI'd want to be in game opposite even a hand that weak, especially with the lead coming up the strong hand, and wouldn't expect partner to bid it. I'm cautious about super-accepting but with 20 points in Aces and Kings, a big fit and a side doubleton I think North should leap to 4H. A super-accept should indicate a hand that has revalued to stronger than the announced range of the notrump bid; North is easily worth 22 points in support of hearts.
South could bid 4NT (Blackwood, RKCB or 1430) but with no control of either minor I think a 4S cue-bid is best. North can then bid 4NT and settle for 6H when he learns one Ace is missing. Playing RKCB, South would reply to 4NT with 5D (1 or 4 key cards.) North would like to ask about the Queen of trumps -- it's usually poor to bid slam missing a key card and the Queen -- but there's no asking bid below 5H. Combining the odds partner has the Queen or the suit breaks 2-2, North goes ahead with 6H.
Playing RKCB-1430, South replies 5C and North can bid 5D to ask about the Queen. South confirms her majesty with a 5S or 5NT bid depending on style, and North bids 6H. The slam is a bit iffy thanks to the duplicated values in spades; declarer can cash most of the winners but sooner or later must try the diamond finesse. 6C and 6NT come down to the same play; this time the 4-4 fit doesn't help.
Board 5: East opens 1C. South should not act surprised or start asking questions about what 1C means; might as well scream "I have clubs." South cannot possibly wish to bid vulnerable and should pass in tempo. West responds 1H and North should pass -- that isn't a vulnerable overcall.
East has a fine hand in support of hearts. Adding 3 for the singleton and 1 for the doubleton to the 12 high card points, East has a maximum raise to 2H. Add the 10 & 9 of clubs and it would be clear to jump to 3H.
West bids 4H over the single raise, but should try for slam over a jump, unless partner is known to jump light. The clubs can't be set up and the spade finesse loses, so 4H is the winning spot. North leads a club and declarer should consider whether to try and establish the clubs or ruff several times in dummy. Declarer lacks the entries to his hand for multiple ruffs; I think it's easier to set up the clubs but either way declarer should manage 10 tricks. The double-dummy analysis says West can make 5H but the lineis not obvious.
Board 10: East passes and South opens 1H. Some Wests might trot out the Michaels cue-bid, but I think that's gadgetitis -- this is a spade overcall. North passes and East replies 1NT, about 8-11 over an overcall. West's strength and shape are enough for a 3D jump, though I'm reluctant to make that bid with relatively "empty" suits. Settling for 2D, East has just enough for a raise. (East's hand is NOT worth 2NT, which would suggest 11 hcp; 2NT is almost always a game invitation or a gadget of some sort, it requires more strength to make 8 tricks at notrump than nine in a suit when you have a good fit and shape.) Back to West -- with four card support expected, and two or three tricks in high cards, West's hand grows enormously; he can cue-bid 4C or just blast 6D. (3S would be another option if you could be sure partner would never pass.)
I can't give a point-count formula for a hand like West's; without a fit, he could go down in a part-score. But when East raises diamonds, showing four-card support, West expects 3 losers: one each in spades, hearts, and diamonds; East needs any two of the Ace of spades, King of hearts, and King of diamonds for slam to be excellent.
At 6D declarer ruffs the club lead, crosses to dummy with a trump, and leads the spade toward his KQ. South must take his Ace or it will be ruffed out. Now one spade ruff sets up the suit and makes the slam. If North had the spade Ace, the suit could still be established with two ruffs (one low and the second high if needed.)
Board 12: Some Norths would open a weak 2S but I think that's wrong with such a poor suit and the side major. South must choose among a "pushy" 2C, an off-beat 2NT, or a really heavy 1C. I expect 1C would be the overwhelming choice of experts; improve the suit to AQ109xx and I would open 2C, as 3NT might make opposite zero points. The hand is definetely too strong for 2NT; 2C followed by 2NT would be better, but 1C-1H-3NT looks like a sensible auction.
North responds 1S rather than 1H; now what? Experts and well-oiled partnerships would bid 2D, a forcing "reverse" bid (partner must go to the three level if he prefer's opener's original suit.) There are various agreements over reverses, including 4th suit strong, other bids weak; lebensohl (2NT for weak hands); and Ingberman (cheaper of 2NT or the 4th suit for weak hands, 2H in this case.) In all cases, however, 2S should be unlimited, forcing, and the preferred bid with a 5 card suit -- this is an exception to all the advice you read about needing 6 cards to rebid your suit.
Here, most Norths would rebid 2H (whether natural or artificial) but I think 2S is better. South isn't likely to have 4 hearts after his reverse and a 6-2 fit is usaully better than 5-3. South is delighted and jumps to 4S. North counts 5 losers (AK of spades, AQ of hearts, A of clubs) and can deduct one since there South must be short in hearts. The Kx in clubs is a big asset on this bidding. Blackwood is always a problem with a void, you'd really like to know which Aces partner has, but it doesn't pay to start cue-bidding at the five level when you need multiple cards. I'd bid 4NT, whatever variety, and bid 6 when partner shows 3 aces or 4 key cards. As is usually the case, you don't need to bid 7 to get a good score on a difficult to bid hand. Both black suits behave and declarer claims 14 or 15 tricks.
What if you don't have clear agreements about reverses? Then I think 3NT over 1S is the practical bid, or perhaps you should stretch to open 2C to avoid underbidding the hand.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday 12/22/2010
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Board 6: East has two Aces, good shape, and good intermediates in his long suits, but is a bit shy of an opening bid. West opens 1D and rebids 1NT if East responds 1S. 2C at this point would be "New Minor Forcing" in the modern style, showing 5 spades and game-invitational values; most pairs do not have an agreed way for East to show his long clubs in this sequence. East can pass or raise to 2NT.
If, instead, East responds 2C, he shows his good hand and source of tricks. In most styles West would rebid 2NT to show a minimum balanced hand, but West has good intermediates also and may leap to 3NT. My preferred style would be that 2C does not deny a major (for a hand such as East's) and West can rebid 2H or 2S on a balanced hand like this without prmising extra values. So, pass-1D-2C-2H-2S, and again an optimistic East who trusts partner to have a good hand for such bidding may jump to 3NT. Four pairs bid game, which makes with 4 club tricks, two red Aces, two spades, and a ninth trick in spades or one of the red suits depending on the defense. 22 hcp will not generally be enough for 3NT even with an establishable six card suit; notice how critical the tens and nines are. 2NT making four yields a decent score.
Board 8: There has been a recent trend of opening very light 6-5 hands with a weak two; I personally feel that bidding very weak hands tends to cause partner more problems that the defenders. Weak two bids in the 8-10 range often catch both defenders with awkward hands; with only 4 points, at least one defender is liekly to have enough strength to bid. I don't have a problem with opening a good 6 card suit within the normal range of a weak two when you happen to have a weak four or five card suit on the side.
Assuming West and North pass, East opens 1C. Doubling with flat hands has never appealed to me -- I'd pass South's hand with little thought -- but South has all Aces and Kings and I suspect most would double. West redoubles to show 10+ hcp and a fairly balanced hand; this invites opener to double anything they bid where he has length. North can expect South to have either a normal takeout double, and so a big spade fit, or a strong balanced hand or strong one-suiter. I feel very strongly one should never double with a singleton in an unbid major; North can thus count on a fit and preempt with 3S or 4S (I'd bid 4S if I trusted partner to have the sort of hand I would double with.) Over 3S, East's 4C should end the auction -- South has no more support than promised and his high cards are equally suitable for declaring or defending; West has nothing extra; North should not second-guess himself. Over 4S, East has a tough guess, but his values are mostly offensive and I'm sure I would bid 5C. Do you see why North should not bid 3S and then 4S? East gets to show his long suit and then pass the decision to West, who doubles 4S for +100 or +300. When preempting, bid as much as you dare and then let it go -- don't give the opps "two bites at the apple." North loses 2 trumps and 2 or 3 hearts at a spade contract.
Board 14: If East opens 3C, North doubles, planning to bid 4D (or 3NT) over a spade response from South. Although it is generally better to bid down-the-line in response to a takeout double -- the doubler won't bid four card suits, so it isn't an up-the-line situation -- I suspect most Souths would bid the strong hearts rather than the crummy spades. North has an easy raise to 4H and can't go wrong doubling 5C or contnuing with 5D or 5H if East or West tries to sacrficie over 4H.
But North should not have it so easy: with an 8 card suit, East should open 4C. (I wouldn't open 5 with such a crummy suit.) Now North and South must guess; North may not be willing to double and then bid 5D over a spade response. His 4D may well end the auction.
Board 17: Nine cards in the majors is too much for a notrump bid in my opinion, and I would expect few experts to disagree. Nothing wrong with opening 1H on the North's fine 20-count, South will respond with as little as 6 including perhaps support points. South is worth 2D in any style (his strong suit and heart fit make this enough for game.) North reverses with 2S; some 2/1 bidders may play this as not showing any extras, but most would interpret it as 15+ or so. South considers the 4-4 fit but slam usually requires strong trumps and so he follows his plan of showing support with 3H. North bids 4NT (Blackwood or Key cards) and settles for 6H when one Ace or Key card is found missing. 6NT runs the risk that partner was counting on some ruffs for his game force.
6NT is actually easier; at 6H, warned off the diamond lead, East may try a club and knock out dummy's late entry. Declraer must either finesse twice in spades (a worse than 25% shot) or lead diamonds before pulling trumps. East likely grabs the first diamond but even if he holds off, a second diamond sets the suit up and declarer can arrange to win the third trump in dummy and pitch away all his spade losers. 6S is of course hopeless; a key card auction should reveal two are missing and allow N/S to either stop at 5S or guess to bid 6H or 6NT. 5S making 5 would yield an average score. With a choice of trump suits for slam, make sure the one you pick is strong.
Board 6: East has two Aces, good shape, and good intermediates in his long suits, but is a bit shy of an opening bid. West opens 1D and rebids 1NT if East responds 1S. 2C at this point would be "New Minor Forcing" in the modern style, showing 5 spades and game-invitational values; most pairs do not have an agreed way for East to show his long clubs in this sequence. East can pass or raise to 2NT.
If, instead, East responds 2C, he shows his good hand and source of tricks. In most styles West would rebid 2NT to show a minimum balanced hand, but West has good intermediates also and may leap to 3NT. My preferred style would be that 2C does not deny a major (for a hand such as East's) and West can rebid 2H or 2S on a balanced hand like this without prmising extra values. So, pass-1D-2C-2H-2S, and again an optimistic East who trusts partner to have a good hand for such bidding may jump to 3NT. Four pairs bid game, which makes with 4 club tricks, two red Aces, two spades, and a ninth trick in spades or one of the red suits depending on the defense. 22 hcp will not generally be enough for 3NT even with an establishable six card suit; notice how critical the tens and nines are. 2NT making four yields a decent score.
Board 8: There has been a recent trend of opening very light 6-5 hands with a weak two; I personally feel that bidding very weak hands tends to cause partner more problems that the defenders. Weak two bids in the 8-10 range often catch both defenders with awkward hands; with only 4 points, at least one defender is liekly to have enough strength to bid. I don't have a problem with opening a good 6 card suit within the normal range of a weak two when you happen to have a weak four or five card suit on the side.
Assuming West and North pass, East opens 1C. Doubling with flat hands has never appealed to me -- I'd pass South's hand with little thought -- but South has all Aces and Kings and I suspect most would double. West redoubles to show 10+ hcp and a fairly balanced hand; this invites opener to double anything they bid where he has length. North can expect South to have either a normal takeout double, and so a big spade fit, or a strong balanced hand or strong one-suiter. I feel very strongly one should never double with a singleton in an unbid major; North can thus count on a fit and preempt with 3S or 4S (I'd bid 4S if I trusted partner to have the sort of hand I would double with.) Over 3S, East's 4C should end the auction -- South has no more support than promised and his high cards are equally suitable for declaring or defending; West has nothing extra; North should not second-guess himself. Over 4S, East has a tough guess, but his values are mostly offensive and I'm sure I would bid 5C. Do you see why North should not bid 3S and then 4S? East gets to show his long suit and then pass the decision to West, who doubles 4S for +100 or +300. When preempting, bid as much as you dare and then let it go -- don't give the opps "two bites at the apple." North loses 2 trumps and 2 or 3 hearts at a spade contract.
Board 14: If East opens 3C, North doubles, planning to bid 4D (or 3NT) over a spade response from South. Although it is generally better to bid down-the-line in response to a takeout double -- the doubler won't bid four card suits, so it isn't an up-the-line situation -- I suspect most Souths would bid the strong hearts rather than the crummy spades. North has an easy raise to 4H and can't go wrong doubling 5C or contnuing with 5D or 5H if East or West tries to sacrficie over 4H.
But North should not have it so easy: with an 8 card suit, East should open 4C. (I wouldn't open 5 with such a crummy suit.) Now North and South must guess; North may not be willing to double and then bid 5D over a spade response. His 4D may well end the auction.
Board 17: Nine cards in the majors is too much for a notrump bid in my opinion, and I would expect few experts to disagree. Nothing wrong with opening 1H on the North's fine 20-count, South will respond with as little as 6 including perhaps support points. South is worth 2D in any style (his strong suit and heart fit make this enough for game.) North reverses with 2S; some 2/1 bidders may play this as not showing any extras, but most would interpret it as 15+ or so. South considers the 4-4 fit but slam usually requires strong trumps and so he follows his plan of showing support with 3H. North bids 4NT (Blackwood or Key cards) and settles for 6H when one Ace or Key card is found missing. 6NT runs the risk that partner was counting on some ruffs for his game force.
6NT is actually easier; at 6H, warned off the diamond lead, East may try a club and knock out dummy's late entry. Declraer must either finesse twice in spades (a worse than 25% shot) or lead diamonds before pulling trumps. East likely grabs the first diamond but even if he holds off, a second diamond sets the suit up and declarer can arrange to win the third trump in dummy and pitch away all his spade losers. 6S is of course hopeless; a key card auction should reveal two are missing and allow N/S to either stop at 5S or guess to bid 6H or 6NT. 5S making 5 would yield an average score. With a choice of trump suits for slam, make sure the one you pick is strong.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday 12/20/2010
Right-click here for hands.
Board 5: 31 high card points and a diamond fit, but both North and South are flat. North has a clear-cut pass after deducting a point for no Ace (and no ten or nine either.) South upgrades for all four Aces (along with a ten and two nines) and opens 2NT. North, still counting his hand as 11, figures the hands total 31 or 32 points -- not enough for slam with such flat shape. A simpe raise to 3NT should end the auction, but 8 out of 13 pairs reached hopeless slams.
On lead against 6NT, I figured partner for zero points and so punted with a heart; underleading either King may also prove safe but seems unlikely to gain. Declarer cannot manufacture anything and is held to 10 tricks.
Board 14: East lacks two quick tricks and should deduct something for the doubleton Jack, but I suspect almost all duplicate players would open 1S. West trots out Jacoby 2NT and East's leap to 4S (showing a minimum) closes the bidding. We won't talk about that silly 3NT...well, OK, partner forgot to jump and I thought he had a big hand but wasn't sure how big so I stalled with 3NT to let him cue-bid (thinking 3NT would surely make even if he passed) and, er, on to the next board...I do recommend this use of 3NT ("Courtesy 3NT") after finding a big major suit fit; West would cue-bid with definite slam values but has nothing extra here; opener, however, is unlimited and 3NT says "if you cue-bid I'll cooperate but if you are minimum for your 3S rebid let's stop at game." Many experts play "Serious 3NT" but that seems wrong to me, as it forces cue-bidding on hands which lack the values for slam.
Board 19: West opens 1C, East replies 1S, and West raises to game. East has no club control, but if he cue-bids 5D it will be a guess whether sufficient controls are avaible for slam. I think 4NT is the practical bid, especially playing some version of RKCB. An RKCB auction might continue 4NT-5C (0 or 3 key cards) 5D (asking for the Queen)-6D (showing the Queen of spades and the King of diamonds)-6S. Seven makes on a finesse, which would be a poor bet. Here, 13 tricks can also be made at notrump, but neither player can be sure the other isn't counting on ruffing something so 6S is the proper spot.
Board 5: 31 high card points and a diamond fit, but both North and South are flat. North has a clear-cut pass after deducting a point for no Ace (and no ten or nine either.) South upgrades for all four Aces (along with a ten and two nines) and opens 2NT. North, still counting his hand as 11, figures the hands total 31 or 32 points -- not enough for slam with such flat shape. A simpe raise to 3NT should end the auction, but 8 out of 13 pairs reached hopeless slams.
On lead against 6NT, I figured partner for zero points and so punted with a heart; underleading either King may also prove safe but seems unlikely to gain. Declarer cannot manufacture anything and is held to 10 tricks.
Board 14: East lacks two quick tricks and should deduct something for the doubleton Jack, but I suspect almost all duplicate players would open 1S. West trots out Jacoby 2NT and East's leap to 4S (showing a minimum) closes the bidding. We won't talk about that silly 3NT...well, OK, partner forgot to jump and I thought he had a big hand but wasn't sure how big so I stalled with 3NT to let him cue-bid (thinking 3NT would surely make even if he passed) and, er, on to the next board...I do recommend this use of 3NT ("Courtesy 3NT") after finding a big major suit fit; West would cue-bid with definite slam values but has nothing extra here; opener, however, is unlimited and 3NT says "if you cue-bid I'll cooperate but if you are minimum for your 3S rebid let's stop at game." Many experts play "Serious 3NT" but that seems wrong to me, as it forces cue-bidding on hands which lack the values for slam.
Board 19: West opens 1C, East replies 1S, and West raises to game. East has no club control, but if he cue-bids 5D it will be a guess whether sufficient controls are avaible for slam. I think 4NT is the practical bid, especially playing some version of RKCB. An RKCB auction might continue 4NT-5C (0 or 3 key cards) 5D (asking for the Queen)-6D (showing the Queen of spades and the King of diamonds)-6S. Seven makes on a finesse, which would be a poor bet. Here, 13 tricks can also be made at notrump, but neither player can be sure the other isn't counting on ruffing something so 6S is the proper spot.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, 12/19/2010
Right-click here for hands. Nine tables, with 10 99er or youth/mentor pairs. Georgia discussed courtesy before the game, then she and I reminded each other to watch our volume and tone of voice!
Board 4: E/W should reach 3NT after an auction like 1C-(1S overcall)-2D-2H-3C-3NT. If North instead jumps to 2S, East has a tougher bid but should risk 3C rather than be shut out or make a game-forcing 3D call. Six clubs is makeable from West's side (protecting the King of spades from the opening lead) but it requires finessing in diamonds and then ruffing to establish three disards for hearts -- not a good bet.
At 3NT North leads a spade, West wins and counts 8 tricks. If South gains the lead another spade would be fatal, but there is no obvious alternative to the diamond finesse. West may as well run the clubs first, pitching a heart; nothing interesting happens, but the finesse wins. West may score an overtrick if the defenders pitch diamonds or North has to lead another spade.
Board 8: West opens a weak 2S, North passes and East should raise preemptively. With three card support, a raise to 3 is normal, but I think with the singleton heart (suggesting N/S has a 9 card fit) an aggressive East may gamble 4S, maximizing the pressure on South. When each side has nine card major fit, it is often right to bid 4 spades over 4 hearts at equal vulnerability; bidding it immediately forces South to guess whether to double, pass, or bid 5H. Bidding only 3S lets South bid 4H (he can expect to ruff some spades in partner's hand) making it easy for North to continue to 5H over a delayed 4S.
Here, South cannot guess to bid 5H and probably doubles 4S, which North should pass. The result is probably down 3, but defenders sometimes slip and South might not double. If East bids only 3S the first round, it is best to pass the second round.
Board 11: South opens a weak 2S and West doubles (takeout.) North should not bid with a poor hand, only an 8 card fit, and the opponents already forced to the three level. East makes the practical bid of 3NT; passing for penalties might work but looks iffy.
South leads the King of spades from his sequence, East ducks once and wins the second round. East cashes 3 rounds of clubs and two diamonds (ending in hand), when diamonds break 4-1, he finesses the heart. This is safe since North should be out of spades. North wins and returns a diamond. Declarer wins in dummy and cashes the 13th club; North is squeezed and declarer winshis 11th trick in whichever suit North pitches.
Board 15: South opens preemptively; it is normal to open 4 with an eight card suit, but at this vulnerability South may open only 3. North must decide whether to settle for game try for slam with 4NT; slam looks cold if opener has the King of hearts and the Ace of clubs, and will have a play if South has the Ace of spades, but the five level isn't safe on a club lead. If North passes 4H or raises 3 to 4, East comes in with 4S; it might make or might be a good sacrifice at this vulnerability. North takes the push to 5H, which requires a minimum of luck. E/W actually have a good sacrifice at 5S but I don't think it is obvious to bid it. A pure guess club lead beats 5H; on the more likely spade lead, East should win and take his Ace of clubs -- it is obvious declarer has few other losers and futile to hope partner can get in to lead clubs.
Board 17: East opens 1S and West is too strong for a 4D splinter. It is unusual to bid Jacoby 2NT with a singleton, but West can benfit from learning a bout a minor suit singleton or extra values in partner's hand, so the forcing raise is probably best. Otherwise, West can start with 2D, planning to bid clubs next and then support spades. Over 2NT, East bids 4S to show a minimum. A minmum opener generally counts to 7 losers, and West has five crisp winners plus his singleton; West checks on key cards and bids slam. East cannot be prevented from scoring two heart ruffs, five trumps, and five minor suit winners. For point-counters, West's hand revalues to at least 19 by adding 3 points for the singleton with four trumps when raising partner.
Board 21: North opens 1NT (15-17) and East preempts 3C. South should simply bid 3NT; the strong notrump will usually contain a stopper. It does, and declarer scores ten or eleven tricks (finessing early in diamonds and probably later in spades after East's J9 drops.) We reached an unmakeable 6D after a "Precision" sequence in which South portrayed his hand as worth 14 points. Remember to deduct a point from strong but Aceless hands.
Board 27: South opens 1S and West overcalls 2D. North has only 10 hcp but visions of slam opposite a hand like AQxxx Kxx xxxx x so bids 2H before blasting to game. (Another possibility would be 4D as a splinter raise, but I'd rather have something in both side suits for that bid.) An aggressive East competes with 3D and South likes his hand enough to venture 3S. West blasts to 5D but North likes the sound of the auction (partner's values should be outside diamonds) and bids 6S, which makes easily with 6 trumps, 3 hearts, 2 diamond ruffs and a club.
Board 4: E/W should reach 3NT after an auction like 1C-(1S overcall)-2D-2H-3C-3NT. If North instead jumps to 2S, East has a tougher bid but should risk 3C rather than be shut out or make a game-forcing 3D call. Six clubs is makeable from West's side (protecting the King of spades from the opening lead) but it requires finessing in diamonds and then ruffing to establish three disards for hearts -- not a good bet.
At 3NT North leads a spade, West wins and counts 8 tricks. If South gains the lead another spade would be fatal, but there is no obvious alternative to the diamond finesse. West may as well run the clubs first, pitching a heart; nothing interesting happens, but the finesse wins. West may score an overtrick if the defenders pitch diamonds or North has to lead another spade.
Board 8: West opens a weak 2S, North passes and East should raise preemptively. With three card support, a raise to 3 is normal, but I think with the singleton heart (suggesting N/S has a 9 card fit) an aggressive East may gamble 4S, maximizing the pressure on South. When each side has nine card major fit, it is often right to bid 4 spades over 4 hearts at equal vulnerability; bidding it immediately forces South to guess whether to double, pass, or bid 5H. Bidding only 3S lets South bid 4H (he can expect to ruff some spades in partner's hand) making it easy for North to continue to 5H over a delayed 4S.
Here, South cannot guess to bid 5H and probably doubles 4S, which North should pass. The result is probably down 3, but defenders sometimes slip and South might not double. If East bids only 3S the first round, it is best to pass the second round.
Board 11: South opens a weak 2S and West doubles (takeout.) North should not bid with a poor hand, only an 8 card fit, and the opponents already forced to the three level. East makes the practical bid of 3NT; passing for penalties might work but looks iffy.
South leads the King of spades from his sequence, East ducks once and wins the second round. East cashes 3 rounds of clubs and two diamonds (ending in hand), when diamonds break 4-1, he finesses the heart. This is safe since North should be out of spades. North wins and returns a diamond. Declarer wins in dummy and cashes the 13th club; North is squeezed and declarer winshis 11th trick in whichever suit North pitches.
Board 15: South opens preemptively; it is normal to open 4 with an eight card suit, but at this vulnerability South may open only 3. North must decide whether to settle for game try for slam with 4NT; slam looks cold if opener has the King of hearts and the Ace of clubs, and will have a play if South has the Ace of spades, but the five level isn't safe on a club lead. If North passes 4H or raises 3 to 4, East comes in with 4S; it might make or might be a good sacrifice at this vulnerability. North takes the push to 5H, which requires a minimum of luck. E/W actually have a good sacrifice at 5S but I don't think it is obvious to bid it. A pure guess club lead beats 5H; on the more likely spade lead, East should win and take his Ace of clubs -- it is obvious declarer has few other losers and futile to hope partner can get in to lead clubs.
Board 17: East opens 1S and West is too strong for a 4D splinter. It is unusual to bid Jacoby 2NT with a singleton, but West can benfit from learning a bout a minor suit singleton or extra values in partner's hand, so the forcing raise is probably best. Otherwise, West can start with 2D, planning to bid clubs next and then support spades. Over 2NT, East bids 4S to show a minimum. A minmum opener generally counts to 7 losers, and West has five crisp winners plus his singleton; West checks on key cards and bids slam. East cannot be prevented from scoring two heart ruffs, five trumps, and five minor suit winners. For point-counters, West's hand revalues to at least 19 by adding 3 points for the singleton with four trumps when raising partner.
Board 21: North opens 1NT (15-17) and East preempts 3C. South should simply bid 3NT; the strong notrump will usually contain a stopper. It does, and declarer scores ten or eleven tricks (finessing early in diamonds and probably later in spades after East's J9 drops.) We reached an unmakeable 6D after a "Precision" sequence in which South portrayed his hand as worth 14 points. Remember to deduct a point from strong but Aceless hands.
Board 27: South opens 1S and West overcalls 2D. North has only 10 hcp but visions of slam opposite a hand like AQxxx Kxx xxxx x so bids 2H before blasting to game. (Another possibility would be 4D as a splinter raise, but I'd rather have something in both side suits for that bid.) An aggressive East competes with 3D and South likes his hand enough to venture 3S. West blasts to 5D but North likes the sound of the auction (partner's values should be outside diamonds) and bids 6S, which makes easily with 6 trumps, 3 hearts, 2 diamond ruffs and a club.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday 12/17/10
Right-click here for hands. Nine tables despite the weather, not bad :) Lots of potential slam hands.
Board 2: I'll sometimes open a 6-5 hand with a weak two, but only if the long suit is good. Assuming two passes, West opens a strong 2C. East's response will vary, let's assume 2D as a semi-positive artificial (4+, game forcing, where 2H would be the bust bid.) Personally I'd like to bid 2S with Wet's hand but most would require a 5 card suit so presumably West bids 3C. East continues with 3D, natural; if 2D was simply "waiting" 3D here might be a "second negative". West bids 3S and East has a potentially huge hand if the diamonds can be established. However, West's first suit was clubs and that does little for East so he may simply raise to 4S, especially if he has already shown some values (2D semi-positive or 2H = 4-6 playing "steps".)
West has already shown a powerhouse but with the spade raise he can revalue his hand to 3 losers (2 hearts, 1club.) Partner should cover one with a useful high card (heart or club honor or the King of diamonds), can he cover another? It is usually wrong to venture beyond game without 12 tricks in view, so West should perhaps pass, but he has 4 key cards plus the Queen of trumps and cannot really expect responder to risk 4NT.
Should East have bid more? He knows about the 9 card fit, and one or both of his singletons is apt to be useful; he cannot be sure about the Queen of diamonds. Three key cards plus the Queen of spades or four key cards is certainly possible given the 2C opening, and three such cards would make the 5 level reasonably safe. The real difficulty is evaluating tricks. I think 2C-then-3C should suggest at least 9 1/2 tricks; this does not make a lock for 12 tricks but opener could have 10 full.
If East risks 4NT, West reveals 3 aces or 4 Key cards (5C in regular RKCB, 5D in "1430") and East can follow with a Queen asking bid (next suit). I recommend "Specific Kings" so the complete bidding may be:
2C-2D; 3C-3D; 3S-4NT; 5C-5D; 5H-5NT (5C = 0 or 4 key cards, 5D asks for Queen, 5H confirms Q + King of hearts, 5NT confirms all 5 key cards + Q.) At this point West has nothing to add and should bid 6S; East might bid the grand slam if he had the King of clubs but in this case passes.
With the high trumps all in West's hand, the obvious approach is to ruff clubs and a heart in dummy. Two club ruffs establish the suit and a heart ruff eliminates West's last loser; then three rounds of trumps and claim. Note how much harder it would might be to establish clubs with only a 4-4 fit; slammish hands with a two-suiter often play a trick or two better than with only an eight card fit.
Board 6: South opens 1D, West overcalls 1H and North raises to 2D (the chance South has only 3, with exactly 4432 shape, are too low to worry about.) East has only 5 hcp but he has a high-offense, low-defense hand. In the modern style a 3D cue-bid would show a limit raise or better, freeing the 3H jump in competition for this sort of high-offense hand. South may have visions of slam; a 4H cue-bid seems in order, staking a claim to the hand and suggesting slam interest. At this point West can expect to score two tricks defensively, and ten tricks on offense, so 5H seems justified despite the vulnerability. North may double to show a poor hand in context; if he does not, South may overbid to 6D. +200 (5H doubled down one) scores poorly for N/S but 6D is a cold bottom.
If East merely raises to 2H, West can reasonably expect either to score his Ace or for East to provide a trick; he certainly should not consider bidding 5H. Every declarer was allowed to play some level of diamonds. Back to East's jump: he has not merely 4 good trumps but also a shapely hand, expecting to ruff some of partner's losers or establish his own side suit (spades) ruffing in declarer's hand. Three offensive tricks and less than zero defense makes the preemptive raise a standout.
Baord 14: South opens 1C ( a 1NT upgrade with 2 Aces, 2 tens and a good five card suit would be OK), North responds 1D (no need to conceal such a good suit with such a good hand, you might have slam in diamonds.) South rebids 1NT, which in standard methods generally denies a four-card major; if so, North probably raises to 3NT. If 1NT does not deny a major, North reverses with 2H and South takes a preference to 3D. North has a fine hand but South's 1NT limited both his strength and shape so North still signs off in 3NT. 6D makes "double-dummy" but takes a winning heart finesse and ruffing three clubs in dummy, not a contract I'd want to bid.
Board 17: North might open based on a Goren 13 count or the "Rule of 20", but with only one Ace and no King I recommend a pass (unless playing Precision.) East has 2 1/2 quick tricks but only a flat 11, again a pass in any standard method. South opens 1H, North responds 2C (or 1NT if 2C would be fit-Drury.) South can reverse to 2S over either 1NT or 2C and North likely leaps to 3NT. This looks like the normal spot; 6C and 6S make but require a ruffing finesse in diamonds to set up the 12th trick.
Board 19: West opens 1D and North overcalls in spades. East plans on bidding at least game and shold start with his longest suit, clubs, rather than a negative double. West can leap to 4C, forcing (no such thing as a preemptive raise by opener.) East would like to inquire about Aces or key cards but can he deal with a 5H or 5S reply? Better to cue-bid 4S. West can then bid 4NT and bid 6C when responder shows one Ace or two key cards.
Did you have such a mild auction? Facing a passed hand, North may try a tactical jump to 2S, and South may blast to 4S given on the 10 card fit and favorable vulnerability. E/W may still reach slam, but they may have to guess rather than have the comfort of a Blackwood or RKCB auction.
Board 2: I'll sometimes open a 6-5 hand with a weak two, but only if the long suit is good. Assuming two passes, West opens a strong 2C. East's response will vary, let's assume 2D as a semi-positive artificial (4+, game forcing, where 2H would be the bust bid.) Personally I'd like to bid 2S with Wet's hand but most would require a 5 card suit so presumably West bids 3C. East continues with 3D, natural; if 2D was simply "waiting" 3D here might be a "second negative". West bids 3S and East has a potentially huge hand if the diamonds can be established. However, West's first suit was clubs and that does little for East so he may simply raise to 4S, especially if he has already shown some values (2D semi-positive or 2H = 4-6 playing "steps".)
West has already shown a powerhouse but with the spade raise he can revalue his hand to 3 losers (2 hearts, 1club.) Partner should cover one with a useful high card (heart or club honor or the King of diamonds), can he cover another? It is usually wrong to venture beyond game without 12 tricks in view, so West should perhaps pass, but he has 4 key cards plus the Queen of trumps and cannot really expect responder to risk 4NT.
Should East have bid more? He knows about the 9 card fit, and one or both of his singletons is apt to be useful; he cannot be sure about the Queen of diamonds. Three key cards plus the Queen of spades or four key cards is certainly possible given the 2C opening, and three such cards would make the 5 level reasonably safe. The real difficulty is evaluating tricks. I think 2C-then-3C should suggest at least 9 1/2 tricks; this does not make a lock for 12 tricks but opener could have 10 full.
If East risks 4NT, West reveals 3 aces or 4 Key cards (5C in regular RKCB, 5D in "1430") and East can follow with a Queen asking bid (next suit). I recommend "Specific Kings" so the complete bidding may be:
2C-2D; 3C-3D; 3S-4NT; 5C-5D; 5H-5NT (5C = 0 or 4 key cards, 5D asks for Queen, 5H confirms Q + King of hearts, 5NT confirms all 5 key cards + Q.) At this point West has nothing to add and should bid 6S; East might bid the grand slam if he had the King of clubs but in this case passes.
With the high trumps all in West's hand, the obvious approach is to ruff clubs and a heart in dummy. Two club ruffs establish the suit and a heart ruff eliminates West's last loser; then three rounds of trumps and claim. Note how much harder it would might be to establish clubs with only a 4-4 fit; slammish hands with a two-suiter often play a trick or two better than with only an eight card fit.
Board 6: South opens 1D, West overcalls 1H and North raises to 2D (the chance South has only 3, with exactly 4432 shape, are too low to worry about.) East has only 5 hcp but he has a high-offense, low-defense hand. In the modern style a 3D cue-bid would show a limit raise or better, freeing the 3H jump in competition for this sort of high-offense hand. South may have visions of slam; a 4H cue-bid seems in order, staking a claim to the hand and suggesting slam interest. At this point West can expect to score two tricks defensively, and ten tricks on offense, so 5H seems justified despite the vulnerability. North may double to show a poor hand in context; if he does not, South may overbid to 6D. +200 (5H doubled down one) scores poorly for N/S but 6D is a cold bottom.
If East merely raises to 2H, West can reasonably expect either to score his Ace or for East to provide a trick; he certainly should not consider bidding 5H. Every declarer was allowed to play some level of diamonds. Back to East's jump: he has not merely 4 good trumps but also a shapely hand, expecting to ruff some of partner's losers or establish his own side suit (spades) ruffing in declarer's hand. Three offensive tricks and less than zero defense makes the preemptive raise a standout.
Baord 14: South opens 1C ( a 1NT upgrade with 2 Aces, 2 tens and a good five card suit would be OK), North responds 1D (no need to conceal such a good suit with such a good hand, you might have slam in diamonds.) South rebids 1NT, which in standard methods generally denies a four-card major; if so, North probably raises to 3NT. If 1NT does not deny a major, North reverses with 2H and South takes a preference to 3D. North has a fine hand but South's 1NT limited both his strength and shape so North still signs off in 3NT. 6D makes "double-dummy" but takes a winning heart finesse and ruffing three clubs in dummy, not a contract I'd want to bid.
Board 17: North might open based on a Goren 13 count or the "Rule of 20", but with only one Ace and no King I recommend a pass (unless playing Precision.) East has 2 1/2 quick tricks but only a flat 11, again a pass in any standard method. South opens 1H, North responds 2C (or 1NT if 2C would be fit-Drury.) South can reverse to 2S over either 1NT or 2C and North likely leaps to 3NT. This looks like the normal spot; 6C and 6S make but require a ruffing finesse in diamonds to set up the 12th trick.
Board 19: West opens 1D and North overcalls in spades. East plans on bidding at least game and shold start with his longest suit, clubs, rather than a negative double. West can leap to 4C, forcing (no such thing as a preemptive raise by opener.) East would like to inquire about Aces or key cards but can he deal with a 5H or 5S reply? Better to cue-bid 4S. West can then bid 4NT and bid 6C when responder shows one Ace or two key cards.
Did you have such a mild auction? Facing a passed hand, North may try a tactical jump to 2S, and South may blast to 4S given on the 10 card fit and favorable vulnerability. E/W may still reach slam, but they may have to guess rather than have the comfort of a Blackwood or RKCB auction.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Sunday 12/12/2010
21 teams for "Eight is Enough". A new record! Personally, I much prefer the 2:00 starting time to playing in the evening, winter or summer.
No hand records since the boards were hand-dealt, but I jotted down the first board we played:
Neither vulnerable, North deals, IMP scoring. West - East hands:
AJ7 3
KQ3 J654
K A10642
AKQ852 1043
West opens a strong 2C in fourth seat, and East replies 2D (negative, waiting, or semi-positive) or 2H (steps, 4-6 hcp) depending on partnership style. I prefer the 2H "super-bust", 2D = 4+ artificial; some define 2D as at least one Ace or King. "Steps" is often inefficient as the 2H and 2S responses are more common than 2D. However, let me proceed assuming a 4-6 step response:
2C-2H; 3C: East's response creates an absolute game force, West should not open 2C if he doesn't want to be in game opposite 4 hcp. So West can start describing his hand by bidding his long suit. On a bad day opposite a busted partner, West's hand might take only 7 tricks, but the clubs will usually produce 6 and partner's values should combine with some of Wet's 13 hcp outside of clubs. A more reasonable estimate would be 9 1/2 tricks, and partner's response should provide 1-2 more in high cards alone. That's 11 tricks; if partner can ruff something or provide a long suit discard slam is within reach.
--3D: East might raise clubs immediately, but his hand will be more useful if partner fits diamonds or hearts, and bidding diamonds allows partner to re-evelaute any diamond honors.
3NT: West does not know of a fit; he has shown a huge hand and now bids the obvious game.
--4C: East's Ace plus singleton is enough to try for slam. 4C should be veiwed as forward-going, not fear of notrump.
4H: West cue-bids a control; 4D might sound like support.
--4NT: With all suits under cotnrol, East trots out Blackwood/RKCB/1430. I'll assume RKCB here.
5C: 0 or 3 key cards, but the 2C opening and cue-bid assure 3.
--5H: Queen ask. Many would use 5D but I find it dangerous to use suits which have been bid naturally for such purposes. East knows one key card is missing but should bid slam unless also missing the club Queen.
5NT or 6C: some play first step denies the Queen, second shows (5NT here), others play 5 of the agreed suit denies, other bids show the Queen along with a King if any. Here, West cannot afford to bid 6D but can use 6C to say "Q+ some other King".
--Pass or 6C: As East is counting on a ruffing value, it would be a serious error for either player to "correct" to 6NT. Far more slams can be made with a trump suit than without.
West wins any lead, clears the King of diamonds, cashes the Ace of spades and ruffs a spade, pitches the third spade on the Ace of diamonds, pulls trumps and concedes a heart. The slam would fail on a 4-0 trump split or a 5-1 heart split (allowing a defensive ruff), neither very likely.
As this hand illustrates, it is often the weaker hand that must push to slam after a strong opening. West's 2C,3C,3NT sequence is a good description of this powerhouse.
No hand records since the boards were hand-dealt, but I jotted down the first board we played:
Neither vulnerable, North deals, IMP scoring. West - East hands:
AJ7 3
KQ3 J654
K A10642
AKQ852 1043
West opens a strong 2C in fourth seat, and East replies 2D (negative, waiting, or semi-positive) or 2H (steps, 4-6 hcp) depending on partnership style. I prefer the 2H "super-bust", 2D = 4+ artificial; some define 2D as at least one Ace or King. "Steps" is often inefficient as the 2H and 2S responses are more common than 2D. However, let me proceed assuming a 4-6 step response:
2C-2H; 3C: East's response creates an absolute game force, West should not open 2C if he doesn't want to be in game opposite 4 hcp. So West can start describing his hand by bidding his long suit. On a bad day opposite a busted partner, West's hand might take only 7 tricks, but the clubs will usually produce 6 and partner's values should combine with some of Wet's 13 hcp outside of clubs. A more reasonable estimate would be 9 1/2 tricks, and partner's response should provide 1-2 more in high cards alone. That's 11 tricks; if partner can ruff something or provide a long suit discard slam is within reach.
--3D: East might raise clubs immediately, but his hand will be more useful if partner fits diamonds or hearts, and bidding diamonds allows partner to re-evelaute any diamond honors.
3NT: West does not know of a fit; he has shown a huge hand and now bids the obvious game.
--4C: East's Ace plus singleton is enough to try for slam. 4C should be veiwed as forward-going, not fear of notrump.
4H: West cue-bids a control; 4D might sound like support.
--4NT: With all suits under cotnrol, East trots out Blackwood/RKCB/1430. I'll assume RKCB here.
5C: 0 or 3 key cards, but the 2C opening and cue-bid assure 3.
--5H: Queen ask. Many would use 5D but I find it dangerous to use suits which have been bid naturally for such purposes. East knows one key card is missing but should bid slam unless also missing the club Queen.
5NT or 6C: some play first step denies the Queen, second shows (5NT here), others play 5 of the agreed suit denies, other bids show the Queen along with a King if any. Here, West cannot afford to bid 6D but can use 6C to say "Q+ some other King".
--Pass or 6C: As East is counting on a ruffing value, it would be a serious error for either player to "correct" to 6NT. Far more slams can be made with a trump suit than without.
West wins any lead, clears the King of diamonds, cashes the Ace of spades and ruffs a spade, pitches the third spade on the Ace of diamonds, pulls trumps and concedes a heart. The slam would fail on a 4-0 trump split or a 5-1 heart split (allowing a defensive ruff), neither very likely.
As this hand illustrates, it is often the weaker hand that must push to slam after a strong opening. West's 2C,3C,3NT sequence is a good description of this powerhouse.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, 12/10/2010
Right-click here for hands.
Board 7: West has choice of opening 1S or 1D. With such strong diamonds and fairly weak spades, I'm inclined to open the longer suit.With these 6-5 hands, ask yourself if you are comfortable bidding the major at a high level if the opponents preempt in your shortest suit; here, I'm willing to bid spades over any club bid.
North should preempt 3C at this vulnerability and East is strong enough to chime in with 3H; the diamond fit helps. This bid should be treated as forcing; East's hand is unlimited. With four trumps and a singleton, South should leap to 5C. Who knows who can make what, but 5C is apt to either make or be a good sacrifice.
West wonders if he should've opened 1S after all, and whether his side has slam. He has too much unrevelaed shape to consider defending 5C; partner may have stretched his 3H bid in competition but should have something useful. 5S will probably find the proper strain but risks doing so at too high a level, so I would settle for 5D as West. North has already told his story and has nothing to add. East wonders if 5H or 6D would be better; add the ten of hearts and I would rebid the suit, but I would pass 5D rather than guess to raise with no Ace or rebid the hearts which could be a misfit.
As it happens, E/W have an incredible triple fit, but the 5-0 spade break is disastrous with such weak trumps. Five of either red suit scores well. On this kind of wild auction, I'm glad I bid my strongest suit rather than the shorter and weaker major. On another day, of course, spades would be the magic place to play.
Board 11: West's hand is too strong for a weak two, with three first round controls, a four-card major and good intermediates. It's a classic Goren 13 count or "Rule of 20" one diamond opener. The aces should please partner at any contract while the diamonds provide a good source of tricks.
East makes a disappointing but not surprising response of 2C, and West rebids diamonds to limit his hand. If East had hearts, he would bid them sooner or later so West need not fear to lose the major. Over 2D, East tries 3NT.
North may have overcalled in spades, which takes South off a guess for the lead. Failing that, South likely leads his fourth-best heart. Assuming a spade lead, East can hope for 5 diamond tricks, 2 spades, a heart and a club. The key is to have an entry back to diamonds once they are established. Ducking the spade might allow an inspired switch to clubs, so East should win the first spade with the King and run the Queen of diamonds. Normal technique would be to lead a low diamond toward the Queen, but there aren't enough sure entries for that line. Running the Queen will work if South has either or both diamond honors, roughly a 75% chance.
South covers the Queen, dummy takes the Ace and East leads another diamond to establish the suit. North wins and continues spades; East has a problem -- win and he can't afford to lose a heart to either defender, or hold up and he may not have an entry to the diamonds. Not everyone will be in 3NT so East should go all out to make 3NT which means holding up and hoping. North knows that leading another spade lets declarer into dummy, but he also knows the Queen of hearts is a probable entry. A club switch could hand declarer his ninth trick if he has the Queen. I expect North would lead another spade. Declarer cashes the diamonds, pitching clubs, and leads the Queen of hearts -- he needs South to have the Ace (North has the setting tricks in spades) and he needs an entry to the Ace of clubs. Whether South wins or ducks, the Jack of hearts drops on the next round and East scores his game.
Five diamonds also succeeds as long as West does not guess to finesse the wrong way against the Jack of hearts.
Board 7: West has choice of opening 1S or 1D. With such strong diamonds and fairly weak spades, I'm inclined to open the longer suit.With these 6-5 hands, ask yourself if you are comfortable bidding the major at a high level if the opponents preempt in your shortest suit; here, I'm willing to bid spades over any club bid.
North should preempt 3C at this vulnerability and East is strong enough to chime in with 3H; the diamond fit helps. This bid should be treated as forcing; East's hand is unlimited. With four trumps and a singleton, South should leap to 5C. Who knows who can make what, but 5C is apt to either make or be a good sacrifice.
West wonders if he should've opened 1S after all, and whether his side has slam. He has too much unrevelaed shape to consider defending 5C; partner may have stretched his 3H bid in competition but should have something useful. 5S will probably find the proper strain but risks doing so at too high a level, so I would settle for 5D as West. North has already told his story and has nothing to add. East wonders if 5H or 6D would be better; add the ten of hearts and I would rebid the suit, but I would pass 5D rather than guess to raise with no Ace or rebid the hearts which could be a misfit.
As it happens, E/W have an incredible triple fit, but the 5-0 spade break is disastrous with such weak trumps. Five of either red suit scores well. On this kind of wild auction, I'm glad I bid my strongest suit rather than the shorter and weaker major. On another day, of course, spades would be the magic place to play.
Board 11: West's hand is too strong for a weak two, with three first round controls, a four-card major and good intermediates. It's a classic Goren 13 count or "Rule of 20" one diamond opener. The aces should please partner at any contract while the diamonds provide a good source of tricks.
East makes a disappointing but not surprising response of 2C, and West rebids diamonds to limit his hand. If East had hearts, he would bid them sooner or later so West need not fear to lose the major. Over 2D, East tries 3NT.
North may have overcalled in spades, which takes South off a guess for the lead. Failing that, South likely leads his fourth-best heart. Assuming a spade lead, East can hope for 5 diamond tricks, 2 spades, a heart and a club. The key is to have an entry back to diamonds once they are established. Ducking the spade might allow an inspired switch to clubs, so East should win the first spade with the King and run the Queen of diamonds. Normal technique would be to lead a low diamond toward the Queen, but there aren't enough sure entries for that line. Running the Queen will work if South has either or both diamond honors, roughly a 75% chance.
South covers the Queen, dummy takes the Ace and East leads another diamond to establish the suit. North wins and continues spades; East has a problem -- win and he can't afford to lose a heart to either defender, or hold up and he may not have an entry to the diamonds. Not everyone will be in 3NT so East should go all out to make 3NT which means holding up and hoping. North knows that leading another spade lets declarer into dummy, but he also knows the Queen of hearts is a probable entry. A club switch could hand declarer his ninth trick if he has the Queen. I expect North would lead another spade. Declarer cashes the diamonds, pitching clubs, and leads the Queen of hearts -- he needs South to have the Ace (North has the setting tricks in spades) and he needs an entry to the Ace of clubs. Whether South wins or ducks, the Jack of hearts drops on the next round and East scores his game.
Five diamonds also succeeds as long as West does not guess to finesse the wrong way against the Jack of hearts.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sunday, 12/5/10
Right-click here for hands. 9 1/2 tables, including 8 99er pairs.
Board 1: North passes, East opens 1H, South overcalls 1S or 2S (looks more like 1S to me but styles differ.) West, with 5 trumps, a singleton, and less than 10 points (ignoring the spade King) has a classic jump to 4H. Partner may or may not make this bid but you don't want to defend any part-score with this much shape. North might bid 4S but he has some defense and fairly shapeless hand; if South bid a weak 2S (suggesting more offense and less defense than 1S) 4S might be a reasonable sacrifice. If South overcalled 1S and 4H is passed back to him, his void argues for bidding again but his empty suit and fair defense argue for passing. If North or South bid 4S East should double for penalty.
Against 4H, South leads the safe Jack of diamonds (unless West bid them.) East wins and leads a spade to establish a discard; the defense collects two Aces. Against 4S doubled, West leads the King of diamonds. East doesn not want to ruff with his natural trump trick and so plays the six. West cannot be sure who has what -- declarer might have AJ9; he switches to a heart and South grabs the Ace and discards a diamond. The defense collects 2 spades, 2 diamonds and a club for a disappointing +300; a club, spade, or low diamond lead would've netted +500 and a top, but the darn cards are awfully hard to see through.
Board 5: North passes, East opens 1H (way too good for 3H or 4H), South ovecalls 1S and West bids 2D.
North raises to 2S; now what for East? 3H would be encouraging, and won't often be passed, but why risk it? East has 7 1/2 tricks and partner has shown 10+ points and a diamond suit, which should cover some of East's losers. East needs no support and so should bid 4H and wonder if he's bidding enough!
South may bid 4S but probably passes at this vulnerability, he has no exceptional source of tricks. West has 7 tricks himself, controls the spade suit, and if they bid and raised spades can fully expect partner's values to be elsewhere. 4NT, Blackwood or Roman Key-Card, produces a 5H (two aces) or 5S (two key-cards plus the Queen of Hearts.) Either 6H or 6D is reasonable, I selected 6D since the trumps were solid, and, if partner is missing the King of hearts, he might have the King of clubs allowing me to pitch a heart. (He would need a late trump entry for me to use his hearts to dump my spades.) Either slam socres well; no need to risk going down at 7.
Board 1: North passes, East opens 1H, South overcalls 1S or 2S (looks more like 1S to me but styles differ.) West, with 5 trumps, a singleton, and less than 10 points (ignoring the spade King) has a classic jump to 4H. Partner may or may not make this bid but you don't want to defend any part-score with this much shape. North might bid 4S but he has some defense and fairly shapeless hand; if South bid a weak 2S (suggesting more offense and less defense than 1S) 4S might be a reasonable sacrifice. If South overcalled 1S and 4H is passed back to him, his void argues for bidding again but his empty suit and fair defense argue for passing. If North or South bid 4S East should double for penalty.
Against 4H, South leads the safe Jack of diamonds (unless West bid them.) East wins and leads a spade to establish a discard; the defense collects two Aces. Against 4S doubled, West leads the King of diamonds. East doesn not want to ruff with his natural trump trick and so plays the six. West cannot be sure who has what -- declarer might have AJ9; he switches to a heart and South grabs the Ace and discards a diamond. The defense collects 2 spades, 2 diamonds and a club for a disappointing +300; a club, spade, or low diamond lead would've netted +500 and a top, but the darn cards are awfully hard to see through.
Board 5: North passes, East opens 1H (way too good for 3H or 4H), South ovecalls 1S and West bids 2D.
North raises to 2S; now what for East? 3H would be encouraging, and won't often be passed, but why risk it? East has 7 1/2 tricks and partner has shown 10+ points and a diamond suit, which should cover some of East's losers. East needs no support and so should bid 4H and wonder if he's bidding enough!
South may bid 4S but probably passes at this vulnerability, he has no exceptional source of tricks. West has 7 tricks himself, controls the spade suit, and if they bid and raised spades can fully expect partner's values to be elsewhere. 4NT, Blackwood or Roman Key-Card, produces a 5H (two aces) or 5S (two key-cards plus the Queen of Hearts.) Either 6H or 6D is reasonable, I selected 6D since the trumps were solid, and, if partner is missing the King of hearts, he might have the King of clubs allowing me to pitch a heart. (He would need a late trump entry for me to use his hearts to dump my spades.) Either slam socres well; no need to risk going down at 7.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday 11/28/2010
Right-click here for hands.
Board 4: West presumably passes; not vulnerable, he might open 3C, but his "empty" suit certainly isn't worth a vulnerable three bid. North/South bid 1C-1D-1H. (Again, West might bid 2C over 1D, natural after two suits have been bid, but he should have a much stronger suit to risk a vulnerable overcall.) Now South needs to force to game; 3NT is the likeliest spot but he lacks a spade stopper. Well, that's what the "Fourth Suit Forcing" convention was invented for; but is 1S artificial here? I recommend treating 1S as natural if you tend to bid up-the-line, artificial if you're a dedicated "majors first" bidder. For up-the-line bidders (who tend not to skip over a decent diamond suit), agree that a jump to 2S is the "Fourth Suit" gadget, forcing to game and asking if partner can stop spades. North bids 2NT and South raises to 3.
Walsh-style "majors first" bidders would probably bid 1C-1D-1NT, opener assuming that responder does not have a major suit or has a game-going hand and can "reverse" into the major. South has no "glaring" weakness at notrump, and with 6 or 7 likely diamond tricks should raise 1NT to game. 12 tricks roll in when both the diamond and spade finesses work -- not a slam you'd want to bid.
Board 9: North opens 2H; East does not have a sound, vulnerable, two level overcall but his 5-5 shape begs for action and so likely bids 2S. South knows his side has 10 hearts, and can guess E/W have 8 or 9 spades (a weak two bidder usually does not have a side four card major.) Bidding 4H carries the risk of stampeding E/W into a 4S game that makes, but I've had poor results passing or underbidding such hands. Bidding only 3H allows West to bid 3S; it would be very poor tactics for to second guess himself and bid 4H over 3S; that gives E/W a "fielder's choice" of doubling 4H or bidding 4S, and the extra round of bidding will help them get that decision right most of the time. South should choose either 3H or 4H at his first bid. Here, neither game makes and 4H wins (-50 vs. -140, or +50 if E/W bid game.)
East dislikes all his leads against 4H and perhaps punts with a trump. North pulls a second round of trumps and exits with a spade, forcing the defense to break one of the minor suits. West should win the first or second spade and shift to the ten of diamonds to strand North with 2 diamond losers, 2 spades and a club.
Board 26: West opens 1C after two passes, East responds 1D; West gives the best description of his hand by jumping to 2NT. His suit is rather weak for a jump to 3C. East is as strong as he can be having passed, but 11+18 does not add up to slam and he should simply raise to 3NT. Favorable breaaks in both minors plus a successful finesses brings in 12 tricks, but it's another slam you wouldn't want to bid.
Board 4: West presumably passes; not vulnerable, he might open 3C, but his "empty" suit certainly isn't worth a vulnerable three bid. North/South bid 1C-1D-1H. (Again, West might bid 2C over 1D, natural after two suits have been bid, but he should have a much stronger suit to risk a vulnerable overcall.) Now South needs to force to game; 3NT is the likeliest spot but he lacks a spade stopper. Well, that's what the "Fourth Suit Forcing" convention was invented for; but is 1S artificial here? I recommend treating 1S as natural if you tend to bid up-the-line, artificial if you're a dedicated "majors first" bidder. For up-the-line bidders (who tend not to skip over a decent diamond suit), agree that a jump to 2S is the "Fourth Suit" gadget, forcing to game and asking if partner can stop spades. North bids 2NT and South raises to 3.
Walsh-style "majors first" bidders would probably bid 1C-1D-1NT, opener assuming that responder does not have a major suit or has a game-going hand and can "reverse" into the major. South has no "glaring" weakness at notrump, and with 6 or 7 likely diamond tricks should raise 1NT to game. 12 tricks roll in when both the diamond and spade finesses work -- not a slam you'd want to bid.
Board 9: North opens 2H; East does not have a sound, vulnerable, two level overcall but his 5-5 shape begs for action and so likely bids 2S. South knows his side has 10 hearts, and can guess E/W have 8 or 9 spades (a weak two bidder usually does not have a side four card major.) Bidding 4H carries the risk of stampeding E/W into a 4S game that makes, but I've had poor results passing or underbidding such hands. Bidding only 3H allows West to bid 3S; it would be very poor tactics for to second guess himself and bid 4H over 3S; that gives E/W a "fielder's choice" of doubling 4H or bidding 4S, and the extra round of bidding will help them get that decision right most of the time. South should choose either 3H or 4H at his first bid. Here, neither game makes and 4H wins (-50 vs. -140, or +50 if E/W bid game.)
East dislikes all his leads against 4H and perhaps punts with a trump. North pulls a second round of trumps and exits with a spade, forcing the defense to break one of the minor suits. West should win the first or second spade and shift to the ten of diamonds to strand North with 2 diamond losers, 2 spades and a club.
Board 26: West opens 1C after two passes, East responds 1D; West gives the best description of his hand by jumping to 2NT. His suit is rather weak for a jump to 3C. East is as strong as he can be having passed, but 11+18 does not add up to slam and he should simply raise to 3NT. Favorable breaaks in both minors plus a successful finesses brings in 12 tricks, but it's another slam you wouldn't want to bid.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday 11/24/2010
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Board 3: South passes and West with 5161 shape must decide whether to open his longer suit (diamonds) or his major suit (spades.) If you open diamonds, you must expect vigorous competition in hearts, and so be willing to bid spades for the first time at the four level after North overcalls or jumps and South "bounces". If you open spades, you may never have the opportunity to bid diamonds.
I opted for 1S, North passed, and East bid a game-forcing 2C. 2D by West -- what should East bid now? So many players claiming to play 2/1 Game Force feel compelled to leap to some game. This defeats the whole purpose of the system, which is to maximize bidding room to explore for slam. A simple raise to 3D is 100% forcing and aims at the most likely slam, without giving up on 3NT. The raise does wonders for West's hand, he needs little more than two key cards for slam. After Blackwood or RKCB or 1430, West learns East has an Ace or two key cards and bids 6D, which should make on some sort of crossruff and establishing the clubs.
Not vulnerable against vulnerable, North may overcall 2H. Now East must bid 3C and and agressive South may raise to 3H (though his wasted values in spades argue for caution.) West is reluctant to bid 4D, bypasssing 3NT and reaching "the stratosphere" with no known fit. After West and North pass, East has an excellent defensive hand but realizes 3NT is apt to make and down 4 doubled may be difficult to manage, so he bids 3NT which likely ends the auction.
Board 12: West opens a hearty 1H and East surprises him with a game-forcing 2C. West reverses to 2S (does this still show extras in your style?) Many an East will rebid 3D, a completely pointless and misleading bid. West has sown 9 cards in 2 suits, a fit in diamonds is unlikely. Let's think -- East would, in order of priority, bid 3S (with 4 spades), 3H (with 3 hearts), 3C (with 6 clubs), or 2NT (with a stopper in diamonds.) 3D is artificial, denying any of the above. (If you bid 2NT and West has the rare 4540 hand, he can bid 3D himself.) A typical hand for 3D would be Qxx Ax xxx KQJxx.
As a fit in clubs is still plausible, requiring only 2 of partner's unknown 4 cards, East rebids 3C. West can now revalue his hand in light of the fit and aims at slam by raising to 4C. East cue-bids 4D, West employs 4NT and a good 6C contract is reached. As it happens, 7H (on a solid 5-2 fit) requires little more luck than 6C, but only one pair reached slam so any slam scores well.
Board 3: South passes and West with 5161 shape must decide whether to open his longer suit (diamonds) or his major suit (spades.) If you open diamonds, you must expect vigorous competition in hearts, and so be willing to bid spades for the first time at the four level after North overcalls or jumps and South "bounces". If you open spades, you may never have the opportunity to bid diamonds.
I opted for 1S, North passed, and East bid a game-forcing 2C. 2D by West -- what should East bid now? So many players claiming to play 2/1 Game Force feel compelled to leap to some game. This defeats the whole purpose of the system, which is to maximize bidding room to explore for slam. A simple raise to 3D is 100% forcing and aims at the most likely slam, without giving up on 3NT. The raise does wonders for West's hand, he needs little more than two key cards for slam. After Blackwood or RKCB or 1430, West learns East has an Ace or two key cards and bids 6D, which should make on some sort of crossruff and establishing the clubs.
Not vulnerable against vulnerable, North may overcall 2H. Now East must bid 3C and and agressive South may raise to 3H (though his wasted values in spades argue for caution.) West is reluctant to bid 4D, bypasssing 3NT and reaching "the stratosphere" with no known fit. After West and North pass, East has an excellent defensive hand but realizes 3NT is apt to make and down 4 doubled may be difficult to manage, so he bids 3NT which likely ends the auction.
Board 12: West opens a hearty 1H and East surprises him with a game-forcing 2C. West reverses to 2S (does this still show extras in your style?) Many an East will rebid 3D, a completely pointless and misleading bid. West has sown 9 cards in 2 suits, a fit in diamonds is unlikely. Let's think -- East would, in order of priority, bid 3S (with 4 spades), 3H (with 3 hearts), 3C (with 6 clubs), or 2NT (with a stopper in diamonds.) 3D is artificial, denying any of the above. (If you bid 2NT and West has the rare 4540 hand, he can bid 3D himself.) A typical hand for 3D would be Qxx Ax xxx KQJxx.
As a fit in clubs is still plausible, requiring only 2 of partner's unknown 4 cards, East rebids 3C. West can now revalue his hand in light of the fit and aims at slam by raising to 4C. East cue-bids 4D, West employs 4NT and a good 6C contract is reached. As it happens, 7H (on a solid 5-2 fit) requires little more luck than 6C, but only one pair reached slam so any slam scores well.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Responding to 1NT with QJxxx KJx x Axxx
(From an online game, 11/23/10): partner opens a 15-17 notrump and your bidding (opps silent) starts 1NT-2H (transfer)-2S. You hold QJ752 KJ4 7 A873 : 11 hcp, 5 spades, and a singleton diamond. Now what?You know your side has 26-28 hcp, so you must bid or force to some game. Should it be in spades or notrump?
Don't guess! You have a partner -- you don't have to make the final decision.
Simple method: Rebid 3NT. The transfer already told partner you have 5 spades; 3NT says you have game values. Partner will, of course, pass with only 2 spades, and bid 4 spades with 4 trumps or 3 and a doubleton. What about 3 with no ruffing value? Some players are inclined to pass, but think about it from responder's point of view -- do you want him to guess to bid 4S on a hand like the above? I treat the sequence transfer-then-3NT as a question, not a "choice": "Do you have three trumps, p? If so, please bid 4S."
Expert method: Rebid 3C. A new suit at the three level after a transfer is natural and forcing to game. What's more, responder will have some doubt about 3NT, usually either a singleton or a strong hand interested in slam. There's not much reason to bid clubs on a hand like QJxxx KJ xx Axxx -- if 3NT is down, there are probably too many losers for 5C or 4S on a 5-2 fit.
What happens after 3C? Opener's first priority is to show 3 card spade support (3S.) This allows responder to raise to game on the above hand, or make a slam try with a stronger hand.
Lacking spade support, opener assumes responder has a singleton, and bids either diamonds or hearts to say "Hey, I've got this one covered!" This typically requires 1 1/2 stoppers, i.e., the ability to win and early trick in the suit and the possibility of stopping it again depending who is on lead. AQ or KQ10 would be great, KJx may suffice. Such bids are described as a "concentration of values."
With no particular concentration but some sort of stopper in both red suits, opener bids 3NT. As a last resort, opener may raise clubs with, for example, AK Qxx xxx KQJx. This isn't forcing but responder may be able to bid 4S or 5C.
On today's actual hand, opener would bid 3H. If that's a real suit, this might be a good time to play a 4-3 fit, with the short trump hand ruffing diamonds. Responder raises to 4H and opener passes:
QJ752 AK
KJ4 AQ73
7 J43
A873 J1065
As it happens, 4H, 4S and 5C all make, but 5C requires some luck to avoid three losers while 4H will generally score 11 tricks with a diamond ruff. Note all the ingredients for a good 4-3 fit: 3NT is unplayable, there are almost no wasted values opposite the singleton, and the trump suit is strong (0 or 1 trump loser, and usually not the Ace which can allow the defense to pull dummy's trumps.)
Some declarers made 3NT on an auction like 1NT-2H-2S-3NT becuase the opening leader didn't have the diamond length.
Don't guess! You have a partner -- you don't have to make the final decision.
Simple method: Rebid 3NT. The transfer already told partner you have 5 spades; 3NT says you have game values. Partner will, of course, pass with only 2 spades, and bid 4 spades with 4 trumps or 3 and a doubleton. What about 3 with no ruffing value? Some players are inclined to pass, but think about it from responder's point of view -- do you want him to guess to bid 4S on a hand like the above? I treat the sequence transfer-then-3NT as a question, not a "choice": "Do you have three trumps, p? If so, please bid 4S."
Expert method: Rebid 3C. A new suit at the three level after a transfer is natural and forcing to game. What's more, responder will have some doubt about 3NT, usually either a singleton or a strong hand interested in slam. There's not much reason to bid clubs on a hand like QJxxx KJ xx Axxx -- if 3NT is down, there are probably too many losers for 5C or 4S on a 5-2 fit.
What happens after 3C? Opener's first priority is to show 3 card spade support (3S.) This allows responder to raise to game on the above hand, or make a slam try with a stronger hand.
Lacking spade support, opener assumes responder has a singleton, and bids either diamonds or hearts to say "Hey, I've got this one covered!" This typically requires 1 1/2 stoppers, i.e., the ability to win and early trick in the suit and the possibility of stopping it again depending who is on lead. AQ or KQ10 would be great, KJx may suffice. Such bids are described as a "concentration of values."
With no particular concentration but some sort of stopper in both red suits, opener bids 3NT. As a last resort, opener may raise clubs with, for example, AK Qxx xxx KQJx. This isn't forcing but responder may be able to bid 4S or 5C.
On today's actual hand, opener would bid 3H. If that's a real suit, this might be a good time to play a 4-3 fit, with the short trump hand ruffing diamonds. Responder raises to 4H and opener passes:
QJ752 AK
KJ4 AQ73
7 J43
A873 J1065
As it happens, 4H, 4S and 5C all make, but 5C requires some luck to avoid three losers while 4H will generally score 11 tricks with a diamond ruff. Note all the ingredients for a good 4-3 fit: 3NT is unplayable, there are almost no wasted values opposite the singleton, and the trump suit is strong (0 or 1 trump loser, and usually not the Ace which can allow the defense to pull dummy's trumps.)
Some declarers made 3NT on an auction like 1NT-2H-2S-3NT becuase the opening leader didn't have the diamond length.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday 11/21/2010
Right-click here for hands. Seven tables, half 99'ers. Hope the game was enjoyable for all!
Board 4: South expects to open 1NT but North beats him to it! As it is just possible for North to have 15 hcp without an Ace, South can employ Gerber or Blackwood before bidding 6NT. Grand slam might be on if opener has, say, xx AKx Kxxx AQxx, but few players have tools to find the minor suit fit and a third-round ruff.
At 6NT, East leads the diamond Jack. North counts 12 tricks and has a safe play for an overtrick, finessing in clubs. Running the jack from dummy to tempt West to cover and (assuming he plays low smoothly) overtaking with the Ace to finesse East may work against inexperienced players, but an alert defender will not cover the Jack with the ten in dummy (covering is to promote a card for you or partner, not declarer!) This line risks going down at 6NT on a 5-1 club break, so it's better just to lead low to the Ace and finesse East, insuring at least 4 club tricks and the vulnerable slam.
Board 6: East, with 21 hcp and 9 likely tricks opens a strong 2C. South was planning to open but has no reason to bid with little shape and little prospects of points in partner's hand. West bids a negative or waiting 2D. Over East's 3C, West's Ace should be enough for game; he bids 3H and East takes a shot at 3NT.
South would like someone else to lead -- anyone else! -- but punting isn't allowed. They've bid both of his suits and partner rates to be broke, so underleading the Queen of spades, leading a heart, leading from the K10 tight of diamonds, or leading a club into openr's strong suit all look awful. Hoping the King of hearts is in dummy, he bangs down the Ace; this drops the King but does not solve his problem since continuing the suit will set it up for dummy. North plays a discouraging heart (low using standard signals) and South tries a low spade. East calls for the ten or nine; here, North must cover to protect South's Queen.
East wins and tests the clubs, groaning (inwardly at least) when North shows out. But he can still count 6 clubs, 2 spades and a diamond, so he gives South a club, scoring at least +600. (No lead from South beats it; if West were plaing it, a diamond lead establishes the crucial fifth trick for the defenders.)
At 5C, South faces the same horrible lead choices, with the Ace of hearts still looking least bad. East cannot avoid a heart, club and either diamond or spade loser or both. With a solid suit like this, strain to play 3NT.
Board 16: West opens 1NT and North should preempt with 3D (at any vulnerability IMO.) East would like to bid spades; but 3S would be forcing and game is a bit rich with only 4 tricks in hand. (If he does bid spades, the defense embarks on a brutal crossruff; East can limit the damage by pitching a heart on the second diamond.) South doesn't care for diamonds but no one asked for his opinion; a disciplined pass lets North score 7 diamonds and South's two Aces for +110. Bidding will likley get N/S overboard.
Board 19: West opens 1D and East counts 9+ tricks; an opning bid should provide at least 3 tricks (East is encouraged since the opening bid covers his small doubleton.) A strong jump to 2H may be followed by a raise and cue-bidding; if 2H does not deny a second suit, the bidding may instead go 1D-2H-2S-3H-4H-5C-5D-6C-6H. Those who play weak jump shifts might bid 1D-1H-1S-2C (fourth suit artificial -- a jump to 3H is generally not played as forcing these days, and certainly does not suggest this playing strength.) East shows 3 card support with 2H (must be 3, he would've raised immediately with 4.) If the 2C bid was forcing to game, East can bid 3H and West cue-bids 4D (or 3S, depending on style.) If you play weak jump shifts and 4th suit only forcing one round, East may as well bid 6H, he cannot extract any useful information from partner. (Blackwood or RKCB won't tell you whether to bid a slam if partner has one Ace, which could be in spades, or to stay out opposite none, since all you need is second round control of diamonds.)
Board 4: South expects to open 1NT but North beats him to it! As it is just possible for North to have 15 hcp without an Ace, South can employ Gerber or Blackwood before bidding 6NT. Grand slam might be on if opener has, say, xx AKx Kxxx AQxx, but few players have tools to find the minor suit fit and a third-round ruff.
At 6NT, East leads the diamond Jack. North counts 12 tricks and has a safe play for an overtrick, finessing in clubs. Running the jack from dummy to tempt West to cover and (assuming he plays low smoothly) overtaking with the Ace to finesse East may work against inexperienced players, but an alert defender will not cover the Jack with the ten in dummy (covering is to promote a card for you or partner, not declarer!) This line risks going down at 6NT on a 5-1 club break, so it's better just to lead low to the Ace and finesse East, insuring at least 4 club tricks and the vulnerable slam.
Board 6: East, with 21 hcp and 9 likely tricks opens a strong 2C. South was planning to open but has no reason to bid with little shape and little prospects of points in partner's hand. West bids a negative or waiting 2D. Over East's 3C, West's Ace should be enough for game; he bids 3H and East takes a shot at 3NT.
South would like someone else to lead -- anyone else! -- but punting isn't allowed. They've bid both of his suits and partner rates to be broke, so underleading the Queen of spades, leading a heart, leading from the K10 tight of diamonds, or leading a club into openr's strong suit all look awful. Hoping the King of hearts is in dummy, he bangs down the Ace; this drops the King but does not solve his problem since continuing the suit will set it up for dummy. North plays a discouraging heart (low using standard signals) and South tries a low spade. East calls for the ten or nine; here, North must cover to protect South's Queen.
East wins and tests the clubs, groaning (inwardly at least) when North shows out. But he can still count 6 clubs, 2 spades and a diamond, so he gives South a club, scoring at least +600. (No lead from South beats it; if West were plaing it, a diamond lead establishes the crucial fifth trick for the defenders.)
At 5C, South faces the same horrible lead choices, with the Ace of hearts still looking least bad. East cannot avoid a heart, club and either diamond or spade loser or both. With a solid suit like this, strain to play 3NT.
Board 16: West opens 1NT and North should preempt with 3D (at any vulnerability IMO.) East would like to bid spades; but 3S would be forcing and game is a bit rich with only 4 tricks in hand. (If he does bid spades, the defense embarks on a brutal crossruff; East can limit the damage by pitching a heart on the second diamond.) South doesn't care for diamonds but no one asked for his opinion; a disciplined pass lets North score 7 diamonds and South's two Aces for +110. Bidding will likley get N/S overboard.
Board 19: West opens 1D and East counts 9+ tricks; an opning bid should provide at least 3 tricks (East is encouraged since the opening bid covers his small doubleton.) A strong jump to 2H may be followed by a raise and cue-bidding; if 2H does not deny a second suit, the bidding may instead go 1D-2H-2S-3H-4H-5C-5D-6C-6H. Those who play weak jump shifts might bid 1D-1H-1S-2C (fourth suit artificial -- a jump to 3H is generally not played as forcing these days, and certainly does not suggest this playing strength.) East shows 3 card support with 2H (must be 3, he would've raised immediately with 4.) If the 2C bid was forcing to game, East can bid 3H and West cue-bids 4D (or 3S, depending on style.) If you play weak jump shifts and 4th suit only forcing one round, East may as well bid 6H, he cannot extract any useful information from partner. (Blackwood or RKCB won't tell you whether to bid a slam if partner has one Ace, which could be in spades, or to stay out opposite none, since all you need is second round control of diamonds.)
Friday, November 19, 2010
Friday 11/19/2010
Right-click here for hands.
Board 5: East opens 1NT (15-17). West counts 6 losers, and can reasonably expect east to cover 5 of them (at 3 points per trick.) A sure fit exist in hearts, and the suit is self-sufficient (two finesses will bring in the suit more than 50% of the time.) But if oepner fits clubs, the heart suit can be a good source of tricks.
1NT-2D (transfer)
2H-3C (natural and game-forcing, either too strong or too shapely to be content bidding 3NT)
4NT-5D (Blackwood) or 5H (RKCB, 2 key cards)
6C-pass or 6H
It is unusual for the notrump bidder to take control of the auction, but when responder shows a shapely hand and game-forcing values, East's fistful of controls become huge. He can visualize trumping either spades or diamonds and pitching the other suit on hearts.
Either 6C or 6H would score well as only one pair bid it. One of two finesses and a 3-2 club split make six.
Board 8: West can open 2C despite "only" 19 hcp; the strong heart suit and wealth of controls make this sensible. East, with an astonishing 15 hcp, may be tempted to bid 7NT immediately. Still, the hands may not fit well so East makes a positive 2S response. West rebids 3H and East 3S, West 4C (a suit, not a cue-bid) or 4H (trying to slow East down due to the misfit in spades.) East employs some form of Blackwood, confirms all the Aces or key cards by way of 5NT, and someone picks a slam; 6NT is probably best as 7 of anything requires the hearts to come in.
Board 20: West's shape might inspire a 3C opening, but the poor suit, scatterred values and vulnerability recommend a pass. North opens 1S (too strong for any preempt), South bids 2C. If this is a game force North may rebid only 2S; experts such as Mike Lawrence discourage jumping in anything but a near-solid suit. South can bid 2NT (please, no jumps to 3NT when opener can be this strong) and North bids the spades a third time. South can now cue-bid 4D; this cannot be mistaken for a suit since either player could have bid diamonds a round earlier. North can cue-bid 4H; his strong trumps justify this bid despite only second round control. (Experts might treat this as "last train", shwoing general slam interest withuot promising anything in hearts.) Any suggestion of extras from North justifies South's 4NT; playing RKCB or 1430, North replies 5H (two key-cards without the Queen of trumps) and South signs off in 6S.
If 2C is not a game-force, North jumps to 3S and South can go striaght to 4NT followed by 6S. If you're wondering how Bill and I avoided the slam, I didn't discover the King of diamonds in my hand until after I started to play 4S!
Board 5: East opens 1NT (15-17). West counts 6 losers, and can reasonably expect east to cover 5 of them (at 3 points per trick.) A sure fit exist in hearts, and the suit is self-sufficient (two finesses will bring in the suit more than 50% of the time.) But if oepner fits clubs, the heart suit can be a good source of tricks.
1NT-2D (transfer)
2H-3C (natural and game-forcing, either too strong or too shapely to be content bidding 3NT)
4NT-5D (Blackwood) or 5H (RKCB, 2 key cards)
6C-pass or 6H
It is unusual for the notrump bidder to take control of the auction, but when responder shows a shapely hand and game-forcing values, East's fistful of controls become huge. He can visualize trumping either spades or diamonds and pitching the other suit on hearts.
Either 6C or 6H would score well as only one pair bid it. One of two finesses and a 3-2 club split make six.
Board 8: West can open 2C despite "only" 19 hcp; the strong heart suit and wealth of controls make this sensible. East, with an astonishing 15 hcp, may be tempted to bid 7NT immediately. Still, the hands may not fit well so East makes a positive 2S response. West rebids 3H and East 3S, West 4C (a suit, not a cue-bid) or 4H (trying to slow East down due to the misfit in spades.) East employs some form of Blackwood, confirms all the Aces or key cards by way of 5NT, and someone picks a slam; 6NT is probably best as 7 of anything requires the hearts to come in.
Board 20: West's shape might inspire a 3C opening, but the poor suit, scatterred values and vulnerability recommend a pass. North opens 1S (too strong for any preempt), South bids 2C. If this is a game force North may rebid only 2S; experts such as Mike Lawrence discourage jumping in anything but a near-solid suit. South can bid 2NT (please, no jumps to 3NT when opener can be this strong) and North bids the spades a third time. South can now cue-bid 4D; this cannot be mistaken for a suit since either player could have bid diamonds a round earlier. North can cue-bid 4H; his strong trumps justify this bid despite only second round control. (Experts might treat this as "last train", shwoing general slam interest withuot promising anything in hearts.) Any suggestion of extras from North justifies South's 4NT; playing RKCB or 1430, North replies 5H (two key-cards without the Queen of trumps) and South signs off in 6S.
If 2C is not a game-force, North jumps to 3S and South can go striaght to 4NT followed by 6S. If you're wondering how Bill and I avoided the slam, I didn't discover the King of diamonds in my hand until after I started to play 4S!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Friday 11/12/10
Right-click here for hands.
Board 7: West opens 1H, East replies 1S. West's hand is huge, but not worth driving to slam without extras from partner; what's the best way to invite? I jumped to 4D, a splinter (singleton or void in diamonds, 4 trumps and game-going values.) Although East has significant extra strength and shape, the King of diamonds is wasted and anything opener has in hearts beyond the top two tricks will be wasted.
West can issue an even stronger invitation by way of a jump shift in clubs, followed by 4S. As it happens, however, a heart lead defeats 6S when played by East. Will South lead hearts? North can double 6S, but South won't know whether that suggests a heart lead (dummy's suit) or a long-suit lead (North could have a minor suit void.) Three pairs defeated 6S, with South perhaps leading his singleton hoping partner has either major suit Ace.
Board 10: North had lots of hands to "fall in love with"; after three passes, North opens a strong 2C. South makes whatever bid is most discouraging in th epartnership style, a negative, waiting or "steps" 2D or a super-bust 2H. North's 2S should be forcing for one round no matter how much weakness South has shown; North is still unlimited and may need South's help choosing which suit to play a grand slam in! Over 2S, South again discourages as best possible, with a second negative 2NT or 3C, or a natural 3C if no second negative is part of the system. It looks from the results that the only pairs to stay out game did so by way of an undisciplined pass of 2S by South. A tolerant partner might forgive such masterminding at matchpoints, where 8 or 9 tricks are, in fact, more likely than 10+.
Board 11: South may open a weak 2H, giving West a choice of double, 2NT, or a direct 3NT. Playing the lebensohl convention, double is best; if East bids spades, West can raise to 3; if East bids a forward-going 3C or 3D, West takes a shot at 3NT. When East has less than 7 points, he can bid 2NT in reply to the double; this generally shows a weak hand and requests that doubler bid 3C so East can pass that or correct to 3D. Here, East has a poor 7 but help for notrump in the heart suit, so 3C (showing about 7-10) seems justified and West bids the excellent game. Whether North leads his stiff heart or from his ugly spade suit, West should scramble something like 2 spades, 3 hearts, 2 diamonds and 2 clubs.
If 2H isn't to South's taste, normal bidding would be 1C-2C-3NT. For all the "inverted minor" bidders out there, would East's jump (1C-3C) promise 6+ points? I always insist on that when the opponents are silent; if East jumps on xx xxx xx Jxxxxx or such, West is faced with a pure guess. With a known fit and neither opponent bidding, East can predict West has a big hand and should pass with less than 6 hcp. Over interference, "inverted minors" are off; East cue-bids or redoubles with a game-inviational raise, bids 2D with a normal 6-9 raise, and is free to use 3D as a strictly preemptive bid (0-5.).
Board 7: West opens 1H, East replies 1S. West's hand is huge, but not worth driving to slam without extras from partner; what's the best way to invite? I jumped to 4D, a splinter (singleton or void in diamonds, 4 trumps and game-going values.) Although East has significant extra strength and shape, the King of diamonds is wasted and anything opener has in hearts beyond the top two tricks will be wasted.
West can issue an even stronger invitation by way of a jump shift in clubs, followed by 4S. As it happens, however, a heart lead defeats 6S when played by East. Will South lead hearts? North can double 6S, but South won't know whether that suggests a heart lead (dummy's suit) or a long-suit lead (North could have a minor suit void.) Three pairs defeated 6S, with South perhaps leading his singleton hoping partner has either major suit Ace.
Board 10: North had lots of hands to "fall in love with"; after three passes, North opens a strong 2C. South makes whatever bid is most discouraging in th epartnership style, a negative, waiting or "steps" 2D or a super-bust 2H. North's 2S should be forcing for one round no matter how much weakness South has shown; North is still unlimited and may need South's help choosing which suit to play a grand slam in! Over 2S, South again discourages as best possible, with a second negative 2NT or 3C, or a natural 3C if no second negative is part of the system. It looks from the results that the only pairs to stay out game did so by way of an undisciplined pass of 2S by South. A tolerant partner might forgive such masterminding at matchpoints, where 8 or 9 tricks are, in fact, more likely than 10+.
Board 11: South may open a weak 2H, giving West a choice of double, 2NT, or a direct 3NT. Playing the lebensohl convention, double is best; if East bids spades, West can raise to 3; if East bids a forward-going 3C or 3D, West takes a shot at 3NT. When East has less than 7 points, he can bid 2NT in reply to the double; this generally shows a weak hand and requests that doubler bid 3C so East can pass that or correct to 3D. Here, East has a poor 7 but help for notrump in the heart suit, so 3C (showing about 7-10) seems justified and West bids the excellent game. Whether North leads his stiff heart or from his ugly spade suit, West should scramble something like 2 spades, 3 hearts, 2 diamonds and 2 clubs.
If 2H isn't to South's taste, normal bidding would be 1C-2C-3NT. For all the "inverted minor" bidders out there, would East's jump (1C-3C) promise 6+ points? I always insist on that when the opponents are silent; if East jumps on xx xxx xx Jxxxxx or such, West is faced with a pure guess. With a known fit and neither opponent bidding, East can predict West has a big hand and should pass with less than 6 hcp. Over interference, "inverted minors" are off; East cue-bids or redoubles with a game-inviational raise, bids 2D with a normal 6-9 raise, and is free to use 3D as a strictly preemptive bid (0-5.).
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday 10/22/2010
Right-click here for hands. Another nice 7 table game.
Board 6: a competitive deal. east passes and South opens 1S. West's hand looks "ideal" for a double, but starting with a double will often miss a 5-3 heart fit, and you would like partner to lead hearts against a spade contract. The good spots make 2H a sound bid even vulnerable. North competes with 2S or possibly 3S for Law of Total Tricks devotees. The nine-card fit and source of tricks in diamonds does favor agressive bidding. East has a max for a simple raise to 3H; over 3S, he must choose among pass, double, 3NT, or 4H. Double should be "responsive" when the opponents bid and raise a suit, suggesting both minors; there seems little advantage in that call. 3NT with the double spade stop is attractive, but is apt to be an overbid. Will 4H drive the enemy into 4S? That's always a risk when bidding over 3 of a major, but East had fair defensive values and should not pass from fear. Over 4H South and West have nothing to say; North will like as not bid 4S as a sacrifice (maybe he should've bid that earlier?) East has an easy double, South passes, and West must choose to defend or continue with 5H. His values are useful for either offense or defense; passing seems reasonable even at this vulnerability, especially since N/S did not drive to 4S voluntarily. Bidding 5H works on this occasion as long as West finesses South, the opening bidder, for the club Queen.
Against 4S doubled, West has no obvious lead; that might sway him toward bidding 5H! But Ace of hearts and a heart should yield 5 or 6 tricks for +300 or +500.
Board 15: After South's pass, West opens 1S or 1NT according to taste or style. The modern tendency os to open notrump despite the fact that a, more often than not, a spade fit exists. Some will prefer 1S with only a doubleton heart, to avoid playing a 5-2 heart fit when a 5-3 spade fit may be available. The disadvantage of opening 1S is that if partner raises, West is too strong to pass; you will often play 3S, down 1 rather than 1NT, making. Another modern tendency, constructive raises, actually favors the 1S opening since you won't land in 3S opposite a bare 6 or 7 support points.
Over 1S, North does not have a sound bid, vulnerable at the two level, though many a matchpoint bidder will trot out 2H anyway. East passes or jumps to 3D preemptively, a fairly revolting bid if you ask me. South balances with 2C if 1S was passed around, or raises 2H to 3H. West should not take another bid with no encouragment from partner; North passes 3H or raises 2C to 3C, either of which should end the auction. With the QJ of hearts dropping, N/S make 10 or 11 tricks in either suit.
If West opens 1NT, I think North should pass; he's vulnerable and has good defense against 1NT, including the obvious heart lead. East should use whatever device the partnership has for playing 3 of a minor, either a transfer or the SAYC 2S "please bid 3C" gadget. West must understand that his bid is limited and allow partner to place the contract in 3D, not get excited and bid a disastrous 3NT. 3D is likely to make; I think the defense has to engineer a spade ruff to defeat it. (East's hand can't be reached for the trump finesse if the defense delays leading clubs.)
Board 6: a competitive deal. east passes and South opens 1S. West's hand looks "ideal" for a double, but starting with a double will often miss a 5-3 heart fit, and you would like partner to lead hearts against a spade contract. The good spots make 2H a sound bid even vulnerable. North competes with 2S or possibly 3S for Law of Total Tricks devotees. The nine-card fit and source of tricks in diamonds does favor agressive bidding. East has a max for a simple raise to 3H; over 3S, he must choose among pass, double, 3NT, or 4H. Double should be "responsive" when the opponents bid and raise a suit, suggesting both minors; there seems little advantage in that call. 3NT with the double spade stop is attractive, but is apt to be an overbid. Will 4H drive the enemy into 4S? That's always a risk when bidding over 3 of a major, but East had fair defensive values and should not pass from fear. Over 4H South and West have nothing to say; North will like as not bid 4S as a sacrifice (maybe he should've bid that earlier?) East has an easy double, South passes, and West must choose to defend or continue with 5H. His values are useful for either offense or defense; passing seems reasonable even at this vulnerability, especially since N/S did not drive to 4S voluntarily. Bidding 5H works on this occasion as long as West finesses South, the opening bidder, for the club Queen.
Against 4S doubled, West has no obvious lead; that might sway him toward bidding 5H! But Ace of hearts and a heart should yield 5 or 6 tricks for +300 or +500.
Board 15: After South's pass, West opens 1S or 1NT according to taste or style. The modern tendency os to open notrump despite the fact that a, more often than not, a spade fit exists. Some will prefer 1S with only a doubleton heart, to avoid playing a 5-2 heart fit when a 5-3 spade fit may be available. The disadvantage of opening 1S is that if partner raises, West is too strong to pass; you will often play 3S, down 1 rather than 1NT, making. Another modern tendency, constructive raises, actually favors the 1S opening since you won't land in 3S opposite a bare 6 or 7 support points.
Over 1S, North does not have a sound bid, vulnerable at the two level, though many a matchpoint bidder will trot out 2H anyway. East passes or jumps to 3D preemptively, a fairly revolting bid if you ask me. South balances with 2C if 1S was passed around, or raises 2H to 3H. West should not take another bid with no encouragment from partner; North passes 3H or raises 2C to 3C, either of which should end the auction. With the QJ of hearts dropping, N/S make 10 or 11 tricks in either suit.
If West opens 1NT, I think North should pass; he's vulnerable and has good defense against 1NT, including the obvious heart lead. East should use whatever device the partnership has for playing 3 of a minor, either a transfer or the SAYC 2S "please bid 3C" gadget. West must understand that his bid is limited and allow partner to place the contract in 3D, not get excited and bid a disastrous 3NT. 3D is likely to make; I think the defense has to engineer a spade ruff to defeat it. (East's hand can't be reached for the trump finesse if the defense delays leading clubs.)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sunday 10/10/2010
Right-click here for hands. Seven tables, including five 99er pairs.
Board 1: Most pairs reached 3NT, after perhaps 1NT-2C-2D-2NT. East could pass, but with 16 hcp and more than his share of Aces, Tens and Nines it will usually pay to bid on. Not today: South leads a heart and N/S collect four hearts and a club. West might reasonably have passed 1NT, downgrading his hand with no Ace or Ten.
Board 5: Lots of choices in the bidding. North's hand is a classic Goren or "Rule of 20" light opener, but those taught to count hcp + long suits may pass. Over 1C, East can bid almost any number of hearts or show both red suits with a "two-lower-unbid-suits" Unusual 2NT overcall. As the hearts are far better I'd lean toward a 3H jump at this vulnerability. Over a pass, 3 or 4 hearts is also plausible but my usual style with 6-5 is to open a weak two if the primary suit is good. South has good shape but limited points; he'll bid 1S after 1C-(1H), of course, and should risk 2S after 1C-(2H), but may not be able to act at any higher level. West will raise almost any heart bid to game, based on the good fit. If South managed a spade bid, North should raise. I would expect a large field to be divided among 4H and 4S contracts, with perhaps some E/W pairs competing to 5H.
Against hearts, South leads his singleton diamond. East may as well finesse as he will lose two diamonds either way if North has KQx -- except that North can arrange to give South two ruffs by returning the King as a suit preference signal for spades. N/S should collect two or three diamonds and two Aces for down one or two, but a defensive slip may allow East to pitch his losing spade on the King of clubs.
Against spades, West presumably leads a heart. East can return another heart (it won't hurt to give dummy a ruff you can't prevent) or try his stiff club. South will likelu lose a trick in each suit, as the normal way to play the spades would be low to the Ace, low back to the Queen. However, if East revealed his two-suiter during the bidding, South may place the King with West and try leading the Queen, which pins the Jack and picks up the suit.
Board 6: South opens 1S, North replies 2H. If this isn't game-forcing, South's 3D rebid is -- a new suit at the three level, with little room left below 3NT, has always been game-forcing in standard bidding, though many players are unaware. North can rebid 3H if he trusts South not to pass; otherwise, he'd better jump to 4H. Over 3H South bids 3S and North raises to game.
South has few losers and a partner who has shown 10 or 12+ points depending on style; but how useful will heart honors be? He can assume no club loser and needs the Ace of spades or the Jack of spades plus the Ace of diamonds to have a good shot at slam. Not a terrible hand, despite the void, for simple Blackwood; you can bid slam if North shows two Aces. True, slam makes opposite Jx KQxxxx Ax Qxx, but no sequence will necessarily inspire North to bid slam with that holding. A reasonable alternative would be to cue-bid 5C, allowing North to cue-bid the diamond Ace. No guarantees but I think N/S should land in 6H or 6S. On a diamond lead South should either win in hand to preserve his entry to dummy, or just win in dummy and pitch his losing club on a heart immediately.
Board 7 South has another light, shapely opening bid. With all his points in his long suits and two quick tricks, this 6-5 10 count is a sound 1S opener.4H was the popular contract, and game makes in hearts, spades or clubs. 6C is also plausible and will likely make unless East starts with a trump, wins the second heart and switches to a spade, destroying dummy's entry.
Board 1: Most pairs reached 3NT, after perhaps 1NT-2C-2D-2NT. East could pass, but with 16 hcp and more than his share of Aces, Tens and Nines it will usually pay to bid on. Not today: South leads a heart and N/S collect four hearts and a club. West might reasonably have passed 1NT, downgrading his hand with no Ace or Ten.
Board 5: Lots of choices in the bidding. North's hand is a classic Goren or "Rule of 20" light opener, but those taught to count hcp + long suits may pass. Over 1C, East can bid almost any number of hearts or show both red suits with a "two-lower-unbid-suits" Unusual 2NT overcall. As the hearts are far better I'd lean toward a 3H jump at this vulnerability. Over a pass, 3 or 4 hearts is also plausible but my usual style with 6-5 is to open a weak two if the primary suit is good. South has good shape but limited points; he'll bid 1S after 1C-(1H), of course, and should risk 2S after 1C-(2H), but may not be able to act at any higher level. West will raise almost any heart bid to game, based on the good fit. If South managed a spade bid, North should raise. I would expect a large field to be divided among 4H and 4S contracts, with perhaps some E/W pairs competing to 5H.
Against hearts, South leads his singleton diamond. East may as well finesse as he will lose two diamonds either way if North has KQx -- except that North can arrange to give South two ruffs by returning the King as a suit preference signal for spades. N/S should collect two or three diamonds and two Aces for down one or two, but a defensive slip may allow East to pitch his losing spade on the King of clubs.
Against spades, West presumably leads a heart. East can return another heart (it won't hurt to give dummy a ruff you can't prevent) or try his stiff club. South will likelu lose a trick in each suit, as the normal way to play the spades would be low to the Ace, low back to the Queen. However, if East revealed his two-suiter during the bidding, South may place the King with West and try leading the Queen, which pins the Jack and picks up the suit.
Board 6: South opens 1S, North replies 2H. If this isn't game-forcing, South's 3D rebid is -- a new suit at the three level, with little room left below 3NT, has always been game-forcing in standard bidding, though many players are unaware. North can rebid 3H if he trusts South not to pass; otherwise, he'd better jump to 4H. Over 3H South bids 3S and North raises to game.
South has few losers and a partner who has shown 10 or 12+ points depending on style; but how useful will heart honors be? He can assume no club loser and needs the Ace of spades or the Jack of spades plus the Ace of diamonds to have a good shot at slam. Not a terrible hand, despite the void, for simple Blackwood; you can bid slam if North shows two Aces. True, slam makes opposite Jx KQxxxx Ax Qxx, but no sequence will necessarily inspire North to bid slam with that holding. A reasonable alternative would be to cue-bid 5C, allowing North to cue-bid the diamond Ace. No guarantees but I think N/S should land in 6H or 6S. On a diamond lead South should either win in hand to preserve his entry to dummy, or just win in dummy and pitch his losing club on a heart immediately.
Board 7 South has another light, shapely opening bid. With all his points in his long suits and two quick tricks, this 6-5 10 count is a sound 1S opener.4H was the popular contract, and game makes in hearts, spades or clubs. 6C is also plausible and will likely make unless East starts with a trump, wins the second heart and switches to a spade, destroying dummy's entry.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunday, 10/3/2010
Right click here for hands. 6.5 tables, with the 99er's graciously joining the open game again.
Board 1: All but one pair reached 4S; if E/W keep quiet a reasonable auction would be 1C-1S-2C-2S-3S-4S. West likely leads a high heart, then switches to a diamond to knock out dummy's entries before the clubs become established. South counts 5 or 6 spades, 2 diamonds, 1 or two high clubs; assuming one finesse works that's 9 tricks, so declarer must ruff at least one heart or set up one or more long club tricks. Declarer must be careful not to play three rounds of trumps before thinking about the heart losers.
Plan A, two finesses and a heart ruff: Run the ten of spades (East shouldn't cover since dummy has the nine), spade to the Ace, ruff a heart, high diamond and ruff a diamond to hand, pull the last trump, finesse the club. Declarer loses two hearts and a club; could make 9 or 11 tricks depending on the finesses.
Plan B, two ruffs: Spade to the Ace, ruff a heart, high diamond and ruff a diamond to hand, ruff a heart -- oops, forced to lead clubs from dummy, no way back to hand to continue trumps. But with East having three trumps and both club honors this line also makes 10 tricks, with no finesses.
Plan C, establish clubs: spade to the Ace, club to the Queen. If this wins declarer plans to ruff out the King of clubs, remove trumps and return to dummy with the second diamond. However, a 4-1 club split could be awkward, as might short clubs and long spades with West. Here, the finesse loses and East knocks out the second diamond entry. Declarer should then try a trump to the Jack, ruff a heart, ruff a diamond back to hand, and pull the last trump. Now declarer can take the Ace of clubs for a sure ten tricks, or try the Ten of clubs for 9 or 11.
Offhand I don't see a high percentage line for 10 tricks that also gives a good play for 11. On this occasion Plan B would score at least 4 out of 6 matchpoints.
Board 8: West opens 1H. North has the shape and strength for a 1NT overcall but lacks a stopper; and cannot double for lack of spade support, so settles for a 2D overcall. East bids 2S: this hand is too good for a preemptive jump to 4S. South's hand is ugly but with 6 card support bids 5D anyway. Two more passes to East: "the five level belongs to the opponents", but with a seven card suit and a void in the enemy suit East would rather declare than defend. He can reasonably hope the opening bid covers some or all of his heart and club losers. 5S should perhaps buy the contract undoubled, but at matchpoints North might be tempted to double. This might be wrong since he can't count on any diamond tricks or help from partner.
A club lead secures a ruff for South but is not obvious from the bidding. Assuming a diamond lead, East ruffs and must try to limit himself to one trump and one club loser, or two trump losers. I'd like to tackle trumps before clubs, so heart to the King, spade toward hand. North should duck; after winning the King East has only one play to avoid another loser: duck a spade and hope North started with Ax. Success! Back in with another diamond ruff, declarer pulls the last trump and cashes the Ace of hearts, putting off the club finesse until absolutely necessary. Miracle of miracles, the heart Queen drops and declarer reaches dummy with the Ace of clubs to pitch all his clubs on hearts. Making 6!
Baord 16: West passes and North must decide between a simple 1C opening and a preemptive 5C. (3C would be plausible at this vulnerability with a six card suit, but be sure partner understands you aren't claiming you can make 11 tricks as would be standard with a five of a major opening.) With two quick tricks I prefer 1C. East overcalls 1S, South bids 2D, West passesand North, despite only 10 hcp, should have visions of slam. South's 2D bid shows 10+ points (unlimited and definetely forcing) and some sort of diamond suit, which should cover some of North's losers in that suit and perhaps provide a discard for the low heart. better make the 8 card suit trumps, however, even if you have a diamond fit. A leap to 4S would suggest the spade void but unfortunately would probably commit the hand to diamonds. I suggest 2S, which sounds at first like it's asking for a notrump stopper; when North later leaps to 5C partner may read it as an advance-cue-bid slam try. East doubles 2S to emphasize he wants partner to lead the suit; South may pass or bid 2NT -- the Jxxx does look something like a stopper. North leaps to 5C (4C might sound like Gerber if South bid 2NT) and South may raise to slam. (On a singleton? Certainly -- partner never asked you for support, did he?) However, the slam is a lucky make, requiring both a finesse and favorable break in diamonds. 5C looks like the normal contract.
If North simply opens 5C, East will probably overcall or double. South hammers anything for +800. Oh well, it's only one board at matchpoints.
Board 1: All but one pair reached 4S; if E/W keep quiet a reasonable auction would be 1C-1S-2C-2S-3S-4S. West likely leads a high heart, then switches to a diamond to knock out dummy's entries before the clubs become established. South counts 5 or 6 spades, 2 diamonds, 1 or two high clubs; assuming one finesse works that's 9 tricks, so declarer must ruff at least one heart or set up one or more long club tricks. Declarer must be careful not to play three rounds of trumps before thinking about the heart losers.
Plan A, two finesses and a heart ruff: Run the ten of spades (East shouldn't cover since dummy has the nine), spade to the Ace, ruff a heart, high diamond and ruff a diamond to hand, pull the last trump, finesse the club. Declarer loses two hearts and a club; could make 9 or 11 tricks depending on the finesses.
Plan B, two ruffs: Spade to the Ace, ruff a heart, high diamond and ruff a diamond to hand, ruff a heart -- oops, forced to lead clubs from dummy, no way back to hand to continue trumps. But with East having three trumps and both club honors this line also makes 10 tricks, with no finesses.
Plan C, establish clubs: spade to the Ace, club to the Queen. If this wins declarer plans to ruff out the King of clubs, remove trumps and return to dummy with the second diamond. However, a 4-1 club split could be awkward, as might short clubs and long spades with West. Here, the finesse loses and East knocks out the second diamond entry. Declarer should then try a trump to the Jack, ruff a heart, ruff a diamond back to hand, and pull the last trump. Now declarer can take the Ace of clubs for a sure ten tricks, or try the Ten of clubs for 9 or 11.
Offhand I don't see a high percentage line for 10 tricks that also gives a good play for 11. On this occasion Plan B would score at least 4 out of 6 matchpoints.
Board 8: West opens 1H. North has the shape and strength for a 1NT overcall but lacks a stopper; and cannot double for lack of spade support, so settles for a 2D overcall. East bids 2S: this hand is too good for a preemptive jump to 4S. South's hand is ugly but with 6 card support bids 5D anyway. Two more passes to East: "the five level belongs to the opponents", but with a seven card suit and a void in the enemy suit East would rather declare than defend. He can reasonably hope the opening bid covers some or all of his heart and club losers. 5S should perhaps buy the contract undoubled, but at matchpoints North might be tempted to double. This might be wrong since he can't count on any diamond tricks or help from partner.
A club lead secures a ruff for South but is not obvious from the bidding. Assuming a diamond lead, East ruffs and must try to limit himself to one trump and one club loser, or two trump losers. I'd like to tackle trumps before clubs, so heart to the King, spade toward hand. North should duck; after winning the King East has only one play to avoid another loser: duck a spade and hope North started with Ax. Success! Back in with another diamond ruff, declarer pulls the last trump and cashes the Ace of hearts, putting off the club finesse until absolutely necessary. Miracle of miracles, the heart Queen drops and declarer reaches dummy with the Ace of clubs to pitch all his clubs on hearts. Making 6!
Baord 16: West passes and North must decide between a simple 1C opening and a preemptive 5C. (3C would be plausible at this vulnerability with a six card suit, but be sure partner understands you aren't claiming you can make 11 tricks as would be standard with a five of a major opening.) With two quick tricks I prefer 1C. East overcalls 1S, South bids 2D, West passesand North, despite only 10 hcp, should have visions of slam. South's 2D bid shows 10+ points (unlimited and definetely forcing) and some sort of diamond suit, which should cover some of North's losers in that suit and perhaps provide a discard for the low heart. better make the 8 card suit trumps, however, even if you have a diamond fit. A leap to 4S would suggest the spade void but unfortunately would probably commit the hand to diamonds. I suggest 2S, which sounds at first like it's asking for a notrump stopper; when North later leaps to 5C partner may read it as an advance-cue-bid slam try. East doubles 2S to emphasize he wants partner to lead the suit; South may pass or bid 2NT -- the Jxxx does look something like a stopper. North leaps to 5C (4C might sound like Gerber if South bid 2NT) and South may raise to slam. (On a singleton? Certainly -- partner never asked you for support, did he?) However, the slam is a lucky make, requiring both a finesse and favorable break in diamonds. 5C looks like the normal contract.
If North simply opens 5C, East will probably overcall or double. South hammers anything for +800. Oh well, it's only one board at matchpoints.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, 9/26/10
Right-click here for hands. 8 tables, including the 99er's who joined the open game.
Board 3: West, falling in between a 1NT and 2NT opener, starts with 1C. East likely responds 1S although a standard, game-forcing 2NT would be a good alternative. West raises 1S to game. Are game bids always "shut-out" bids? Heavens no! Opener is showing 20+ in support and East is unlimited. East bids 4NT and gets a two-Ace or, better, three-keycard response (zero isn't plausible on West's strong bidding.) Blackwood bidders likely raise to 6S, while key-carders may have visions of a grand and inquire about the Queen of trumps (5D over 5C, or 5H over a "1430" 5D reply.) West denies the Queen (next step in some styles, 5S in others) and East contracts for 6S, making easily with the 3-2 trump split and a diamond ruff.
Several pairs tried 6NT instead; in our Precision style, the bidding started 1C (16+)-2NT (14+ balanced) and so as West I knew we had 33 points in high cards. When partner showed two key cards without the Queen, 6NT seemed a better shot than 6S. No joy -- the diamond finesse was off, clubs did not split and there was no squeeze. On another day spades might have broken 4-1 while 6NT rolled home.
If East or West does not know the combined high card count, I think 6NT would be wrong. After 1C-1S-4S, how certain is East that West is not bidding partly on ruffing values? If West would splinter with a singleton or jump to 4C to show a strong 6-4 hand, East might be justified in trying 6NT. In general, however, be wary of trying for 6NT rather than a suit slam if partner's bidding might be based partly on ruffing values. As it happened, only one pair bid 6S while 4 went down at 6NT.
Board 15: West might open an offbeat 2D, but more likely East opens 1C in 4th seat. West responds 1D or 1S; I prefer 1D, expecting a heart rebid and planning to bid the spades twice, which shows the 5-6 pattern. (With 5-5, responder should bid the higher ranking suit first.) I wouldn't expect aggressive bidding by N/S: both passed, and they're vulnerable; so 1D runs little risk of losing the spade suit. A 1S response makes for awkward rebid problems.
East might rebid 1H, especially if partner tends to respond light; but most would probably leap to 2H, game-forcing. West rebids 2S, natural in an up-the-line style after the game force. East raises to 3S; no need to jump again, the 2H bid commits the partnership to at least 3NT.
West can now visualize slam if opener has a control-rich hand: AKxx Axxx Q Axxx, for example, only 17 hcp but an excellent slam opposite West's QJxxx x KJ10xxx Q . This sort of slam is hard to bid, as West can't be sure East has three key cards to make even 5S and East does not know about West's great playing strength. +480 or even +510 scores well; the slam requires a finesse in trumps, and should not be bid.
Board 20: North could open 2C but two-suiters can be awkward and so 1S is probably better unless the tricks are more solid. He plans to jump-shift in diamonds. South raises to 2S or uses a Bergen gadget. If 2S is standard 6-9/10, West may double to compete for the part-score; against a constructive raise, pass is probably wiser. Assuming a pass, North can visualize slam if South can cover three losers: xxxx Kx xx Axxxx, for example. North might bid 3D as a "game try"; South, with help in diamonds and around 9 value in support of spades bids the game. Now North may try 4NT and then bid the slam; this requires a non-trump finesse, making it a better bet than Board 15, but still an OK slam not to bid. An odd thing: if South has nothing in diamonds, the AJ10 will probably lose only 1 trick; "help" in diamonds really doesn't help much (though Kx along with four trumps would be excellent.)
Board 21: North-South should not get active at this vulnerability and presumably pass throughout. East opens 1H, West plans to show a balanced, 3 card, game-invitational raise by way of a forcing 1NT followed by 3H. If 1NT isn't forcing West can temporize with 2C or 2D. Over 1NT East counts 8.5 tricks and leaps to game (4H.) Should West go on? 2.5 quick tricks and the unrevealed support might erase a trump loser; if partner's hearts were solid he might have bid 3NT rather than 4H. With no control in clubs, a 4S cue-bid is best; East is delighted to hear about the spade control and bids the slam after checking on Aces/Key cards. The slam needs one of two finesses and not Qxx of trumps with South; as it happens, the spade finesse isn't needed since Kxx of clubs is in the slot.
Board 3: West, falling in between a 1NT and 2NT opener, starts with 1C. East likely responds 1S although a standard, game-forcing 2NT would be a good alternative. West raises 1S to game. Are game bids always "shut-out" bids? Heavens no! Opener is showing 20+ in support and East is unlimited. East bids 4NT and gets a two-Ace or, better, three-keycard response (zero isn't plausible on West's strong bidding.) Blackwood bidders likely raise to 6S, while key-carders may have visions of a grand and inquire about the Queen of trumps (5D over 5C, or 5H over a "1430" 5D reply.) West denies the Queen (next step in some styles, 5S in others) and East contracts for 6S, making easily with the 3-2 trump split and a diamond ruff.
Several pairs tried 6NT instead; in our Precision style, the bidding started 1C (16+)-2NT (14+ balanced) and so as West I knew we had 33 points in high cards. When partner showed two key cards without the Queen, 6NT seemed a better shot than 6S. No joy -- the diamond finesse was off, clubs did not split and there was no squeeze. On another day spades might have broken 4-1 while 6NT rolled home.
If East or West does not know the combined high card count, I think 6NT would be wrong. After 1C-1S-4S, how certain is East that West is not bidding partly on ruffing values? If West would splinter with a singleton or jump to 4C to show a strong 6-4 hand, East might be justified in trying 6NT. In general, however, be wary of trying for 6NT rather than a suit slam if partner's bidding might be based partly on ruffing values. As it happened, only one pair bid 6S while 4 went down at 6NT.
Board 15: West might open an offbeat 2D, but more likely East opens 1C in 4th seat. West responds 1D or 1S; I prefer 1D, expecting a heart rebid and planning to bid the spades twice, which shows the 5-6 pattern. (With 5-5, responder should bid the higher ranking suit first.) I wouldn't expect aggressive bidding by N/S: both passed, and they're vulnerable; so 1D runs little risk of losing the spade suit. A 1S response makes for awkward rebid problems.
East might rebid 1H, especially if partner tends to respond light; but most would probably leap to 2H, game-forcing. West rebids 2S, natural in an up-the-line style after the game force. East raises to 3S; no need to jump again, the 2H bid commits the partnership to at least 3NT.
West can now visualize slam if opener has a control-rich hand: AKxx Axxx Q Axxx, for example, only 17 hcp but an excellent slam opposite West's QJxxx x KJ10xxx Q . This sort of slam is hard to bid, as West can't be sure East has three key cards to make even 5S and East does not know about West's great playing strength. +480 or even +510 scores well; the slam requires a finesse in trumps, and should not be bid.
Board 20: North could open 2C but two-suiters can be awkward and so 1S is probably better unless the tricks are more solid. He plans to jump-shift in diamonds. South raises to 2S or uses a Bergen gadget. If 2S is standard 6-9/10, West may double to compete for the part-score; against a constructive raise, pass is probably wiser. Assuming a pass, North can visualize slam if South can cover three losers: xxxx Kx xx Axxxx, for example. North might bid 3D as a "game try"; South, with help in diamonds and around 9 value in support of spades bids the game. Now North may try 4NT and then bid the slam; this requires a non-trump finesse, making it a better bet than Board 15, but still an OK slam not to bid. An odd thing: if South has nothing in diamonds, the AJ10 will probably lose only 1 trick; "help" in diamonds really doesn't help much (though Kx along with four trumps would be excellent.)
Board 21: North-South should not get active at this vulnerability and presumably pass throughout. East opens 1H, West plans to show a balanced, 3 card, game-invitational raise by way of a forcing 1NT followed by 3H. If 1NT isn't forcing West can temporize with 2C or 2D. Over 1NT East counts 8.5 tricks and leaps to game (4H.) Should West go on? 2.5 quick tricks and the unrevealed support might erase a trump loser; if partner's hearts were solid he might have bid 3NT rather than 4H. With no control in clubs, a 4S cue-bid is best; East is delighted to hear about the spade control and bids the slam after checking on Aces/Key cards. The slam needs one of two finesses and not Qxx of trumps with South; as it happens, the spade finesse isn't needed since Kxx of clubs is in the slot.
5-5 majors over 1NT
Last time I discussed using jumps to 3H and 3S over 1NT as one-suited slam tries, which allows for cue-bidding below game level. Many players use those jumps for 5-5 major hands, 3H = invite, 3S = game force. I think that treatment is inefficient, wasteful of useful bids, and completely unnecessary:
With 5-5 weak, transfer to the better major and pass; or use Stayman-then-2H as weak with both majors.
With 5-5 invitational, transfer to hearts, then bid 2S. A Stayman or transfer bid followed by a new suit at the two level has always been invitational; why leap to the three level? With 4-5 majors, start with Stayman. However, if you've agreed 1NT-2C-2D-2H is weak with both majors, 1NT-2D-2H-2S may be 4-5 or 5-5 invitational. Using the jump for the 5-5 hand does clarify things, but at the expense of forcing our side to the three level. And these days it's not uncommon for opener to have Kx Qx KJxxx AQxx for his 1NT opening, so the 3H puts us at the three level with no fit and not enough points for 3NT. Ugh.
With 5-5 game forcing, 1NT-2H-2S-3H has always shown this shape and strength; again, with 5-4 majors, you would start with Stayman, then jump in spades if opener replies 2D (or jump in the shorter major if playing Smolen.) The transfer-then-3H sequence gives opener room to confirm spade support (3S) or cue-bid in support of hearts (4C or 4D.) The 5-5 jump makes it impossible for opener to both cue-bid and specify what's trumps, which in turn makes it impossible for either player to cue-bid a major.
Giving up the useful 3H and 3S bids for an inferior, unnecessary treatment is worse than useless. Some experts assign special, artificial meanings to the transfer-then-other major sequences, but I've never seen one I thought was worth the memory load.
Note: novice players often treat 1NT-2H-2S-3H or 4H as "oops, I forgot we were playing transfers." This is illegal, of course, but since no advantage is gained and the bid usually puts them at a higher level and playing the contract from the wrong side, experienced opponents can generally content themselves with a mild chuckle and not make a fuss about it.
With 5-5 weak, transfer to the better major and pass; or use Stayman-then-2H as weak with both majors.
With 5-5 invitational, transfer to hearts, then bid 2S. A Stayman or transfer bid followed by a new suit at the two level has always been invitational; why leap to the three level? With 4-5 majors, start with Stayman. However, if you've agreed 1NT-2C-2D-2H is weak with both majors, 1NT-2D-2H-2S may be 4-5 or 5-5 invitational. Using the jump for the 5-5 hand does clarify things, but at the expense of forcing our side to the three level. And these days it's not uncommon for opener to have Kx Qx KJxxx AQxx for his 1NT opening, so the 3H puts us at the three level with no fit and not enough points for 3NT. Ugh.
With 5-5 game forcing, 1NT-2H-2S-3H has always shown this shape and strength; again, with 5-4 majors, you would start with Stayman, then jump in spades if opener replies 2D (or jump in the shorter major if playing Smolen.) The transfer-then-3H sequence gives opener room to confirm spade support (3S) or cue-bid in support of hearts (4C or 4D.) The 5-5 jump makes it impossible for opener to both cue-bid and specify what's trumps, which in turn makes it impossible for either player to cue-bid a major.
Giving up the useful 3H and 3S bids for an inferior, unnecessary treatment is worse than useless. Some experts assign special, artificial meanings to the transfer-then-other major sequences, but I've never seen one I thought was worth the memory load.
Note: novice players often treat 1NT-2H-2S-3H or 4H as "oops, I forgot we were playing transfers." This is illegal, of course, but since no advantage is gained and the bid usually puts them at a higher level and playing the contract from the wrong side, experienced opponents can generally content themselves with a mild chuckle and not make a fuss about it.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
1NT-3H or 3S
Since work (tutoring) started up again, I haven't played bridge or blogged in a while.
An important tool for reaching slams is the jump to 3 of a major when partner opens 1NT (15-17.) This was a traditional part of standard bidding, 1NT-3H or 3S showing at least a five card suit and at least game-forcing values. Opener was expected to raise or cue-bid an Ace with 3 or more trumps, or bid 3NT to deny support. Since the widespread adoption of transfers, these jumps are no longer needed when trying to decide between 3NT and 4H/4S. Responder with, say, AJxxx KQx xx xxx simply transfers to 2S and then jumps to 3NT, expecting opener to correct to 4S with 3+ trumps.
But what about AJxxx AQx xx Axx ? Responder knows the combined assets total 30 to 32 hcp, plus a point for his 5 card suit, and possibly a point if opener has a doubleton and 3+ trumps. That's somewhere between 31 and 34 points in value. The usual target for 6NT is 33 hcp; but with a fit, slam in the major suit may be quite good. Picture opener with KQxx Kxxx Axx Kx, for example: 5 trumps, 3 hearts, 3 quick tricks in diamonds and clubs, plus a club ruff. That's a "perfect 15", but opener could have many 16 or 17 point hands which would give a good play for 6S. Note that 6NT requires a lucky 3-3 heart break, squeeze or defensive error, and in any of those cases you would likely take all the tricks at spades.
So, how should responder proceed? Most likely, transfer to 2S, then jump to 4NT, which partner takes as Blackwood or RKCB; if the response shows no more than one key card missing, responder then bids the slam (without knowing whether a fit exists!) or, more likely, huddles for a long time before bidding 5S. With a good hand, opener gets the message and raises to 6S. (If anyone reading this doesn't know, such bidding is illegal and is apt to result in an adjusted score and warning from the director at any high-level event.)
Go back to old-fashioned bidding: with a slammish hand, responder's hand is approximately as good as opener's and transferring to opener's hand isn't a priority. Jumping to 3H or 3S instead of transferring shows definite slam interest. Opener bids 3NT as before to deny support, but tends to cue-bid freely since responder is known to be interested in slam. A typical 1NT opening has 5 controls (Ace =2, King = 1, so AAK or AKKK); I would suggest cue-bidding any time opener has a fit and at least 4 controls (AA, AKK or four Kings.) Any such cue-bid promises 3+ trrumps. Opener raises 4 with trump support but no more than 3 controls (AK or KKK or worse.)
Traditionally, a slam cue-bid promised first-round control of a suit, and since opener is known not to have a void, such cue-bids promise the Ace. However, for a small slam, it is only necessary to avoid two quick losers in a suit, so KQ by opener or Kx by responder is adequate control. My practice is to "borrow" a key card from the trump suit when cue-bidding a King; with no such card to "borrow", I skip over the King and bid the cheapest Ace. With that restriction, cue-bid the cheapest control so that the partnership can quickly determine, below the game level, whether all suits are controlled. Then someone can use RKCB to make sure you aren't missing two key cards or one key plus the queen.
Example1:
KQxx AJxxx
Kx AQx
QJxx xx
Axx KQx
1NT-3S
4C-4H
4S-pass
Responder shows his 5 card suit and slam interest; opener has 4 controls and trump suipport, so he cooperates by cue-bidding 4C. Responder cue-bids 4H, skipping the diamond suit. With no control in diamonds, opener sings off at 4S. Despite 31 HCP, an excellent fit and 4 key cards, a poor slam is avoided.
Example 2:
Kxx AQJxx
Qx AJx
AQxx Kx
KQxx xxx
1NT-3S
4C-4D
4S-4NT
5H-6S
Responder shows his suit and slam interest; opener shows his fit by cue-bidding his cheapest control, "borrowing" the King of trumps to cue-bid in clubs. Responder shows his diamond control, "borrowing" the Ace of trumps to cue-bid the diamond King. Opener has no control in hearts; responder does, and RKCB shows four key cards are held. Holding the Queen of trumps, responder bids slam.
At first glance, slam seems to need a finesse in hearts; but one heart can be pitched on a diamond and their are chances for another pitch on clubs or the fourth diamond if South can be squeezed. So, this is a better than 50% slam. Add a ten to opener's hand in either minor and the odds improve substantially.
An important tool for reaching slams is the jump to 3 of a major when partner opens 1NT (15-17.) This was a traditional part of standard bidding, 1NT-3H or 3S showing at least a five card suit and at least game-forcing values. Opener was expected to raise or cue-bid an Ace with 3 or more trumps, or bid 3NT to deny support. Since the widespread adoption of transfers, these jumps are no longer needed when trying to decide between 3NT and 4H/4S. Responder with, say, AJxxx KQx xx xxx simply transfers to 2S and then jumps to 3NT, expecting opener to correct to 4S with 3+ trumps.
But what about AJxxx AQx xx Axx ? Responder knows the combined assets total 30 to 32 hcp, plus a point for his 5 card suit, and possibly a point if opener has a doubleton and 3+ trumps. That's somewhere between 31 and 34 points in value. The usual target for 6NT is 33 hcp; but with a fit, slam in the major suit may be quite good. Picture opener with KQxx Kxxx Axx Kx, for example: 5 trumps, 3 hearts, 3 quick tricks in diamonds and clubs, plus a club ruff. That's a "perfect 15", but opener could have many 16 or 17 point hands which would give a good play for 6S. Note that 6NT requires a lucky 3-3 heart break, squeeze or defensive error, and in any of those cases you would likely take all the tricks at spades.
So, how should responder proceed? Most likely, transfer to 2S, then jump to 4NT, which partner takes as Blackwood or RKCB; if the response shows no more than one key card missing, responder then bids the slam (without knowing whether a fit exists!) or, more likely, huddles for a long time before bidding 5S. With a good hand, opener gets the message and raises to 6S. (If anyone reading this doesn't know, such bidding is illegal and is apt to result in an adjusted score and warning from the director at any high-level event.)
Go back to old-fashioned bidding: with a slammish hand, responder's hand is approximately as good as opener's and transferring to opener's hand isn't a priority. Jumping to 3H or 3S instead of transferring shows definite slam interest. Opener bids 3NT as before to deny support, but tends to cue-bid freely since responder is known to be interested in slam. A typical 1NT opening has 5 controls (Ace =2, King = 1, so AAK or AKKK); I would suggest cue-bidding any time opener has a fit and at least 4 controls (AA, AKK or four Kings.) Any such cue-bid promises 3+ trrumps. Opener raises 4 with trump support but no more than 3 controls (AK or KKK or worse.)
Traditionally, a slam cue-bid promised first-round control of a suit, and since opener is known not to have a void, such cue-bids promise the Ace. However, for a small slam, it is only necessary to avoid two quick losers in a suit, so KQ by opener or Kx by responder is adequate control. My practice is to "borrow" a key card from the trump suit when cue-bidding a King; with no such card to "borrow", I skip over the King and bid the cheapest Ace. With that restriction, cue-bid the cheapest control so that the partnership can quickly determine, below the game level, whether all suits are controlled. Then someone can use RKCB to make sure you aren't missing two key cards or one key plus the queen.
Example1:
KQxx AJxxx
Kx AQx
QJxx xx
Axx KQx
1NT-3S
4C-4H
4S-pass
Responder shows his 5 card suit and slam interest; opener has 4 controls and trump suipport, so he cooperates by cue-bidding 4C. Responder cue-bids 4H, skipping the diamond suit. With no control in diamonds, opener sings off at 4S. Despite 31 HCP, an excellent fit and 4 key cards, a poor slam is avoided.
Example 2:
Kxx AQJxx
Qx AJx
AQxx Kx
KQxx xxx
1NT-3S
4C-4D
4S-4NT
5H-6S
Responder shows his suit and slam interest; opener shows his fit by cue-bidding his cheapest control, "borrowing" the King of trumps to cue-bid in clubs. Responder shows his diamond control, "borrowing" the Ace of trumps to cue-bid the diamond King. Opener has no control in hearts; responder does, and RKCB shows four key cards are held. Holding the Queen of trumps, responder bids slam.
At first glance, slam seems to need a finesse in hearts; but one heart can be pitched on a diamond and their are chances for another pitch on clubs or the fourth diamond if South can be squeezed. So, this is a better than 50% slam. Add a ten to opener's hand in either minor and the odds improve substantially.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday 9/5/10
Right-click here for hands. 3 tables each in the Open and 99er sections. I was busy re-arranging my living space (I have to reduce my life to one room by Oct. 1st) and so missed the game.
Board 3: A normal auction would be 1NT-2C-2H-3NT-pass. Various slams are makeable, but notice that you have winning finesses in hearts and diamonds and clubs split 3-3. 31 hcp with no fit will generally not give a good play for 6NT, and only two declarers managed 12 tricks.
Board 6: East should open 3D, even vulnerable vs. not; with such a good trump suit you are unlikely to be doubled. South overcalls 3H and North replies 3S; this is forcing by an unpassed hand. South rebids 4C (has to be natural, for hands just like this) and North should smell a slam, though 4S would be a reasonable matchpoint guess. Over 4D, South's 5 loser hand justifies 4NT; North replies with only 1 Ace or Key card but South guesses he has good trumps for his bidding and signs off in 6C.
West leads a diamond, dummy wins and South unblacks the Ace of spades before tackling trumps (low from hand). West ducks the first trump and South continues low to his King. Declarer plans on winning four trumps, two red aces and 5 or 6 spades along with a diamond ruff if needed. West holds off again, planning to cover dummy's last trump with his Ace. South leads another trump to dummy, and now West has the bare Ace while South has two trumps and North one. Leading another trump would leave no entry back to the spades, so declarer begins running the spades. West can ruff in on the fourth spade but dummy has a trump left for re-entry and N/S chalk up +920.
At 4S, a reasonable line for North would be to win the first diamond, ruff a diamond with the Ace, pitch the last diamond on the Ace of hearts, ruff a heart back to hand, play three top trumps and then knock out the Ace of clubs. Twelve tricks if the ten of spades drops, 11 if it does not but trumps are 4-2.
A safer line for 10 tricks would be to lead a club off dummy after cashing the Ace of hearts; this avoids losing control if spades are 5-1, but allows the defense a club ruff. At matchpoints one rarely surrenders an overtrick to guard against a 5-1 break, unless you're doubled.
Board 15: South opens 1C, North replies 1H, South raises to 2H and North bids either 4H (if South promises four card support) or 3NT (in case South raised on only 3.) Unless you have explicitly discussed and ruled out three card raises with this partner, South should correct to 4H despite his flat shape. (Most experts will raise with Qxx of trumps and a singleton, some with xxx or a small doubleton, so don't assume 4 trumps in this sequence without discussion.)
West has no attractive lead. Adding his 11 hcp to N/S's 24+ for game leaves very little for partner, so West should try to avoid blowing a trick on the lead. Also, the auction did not suggest any strong side suit for dummy or declarer. Leading the Ace without the King is very poor, Qxx in declarer's first suit is surely wrong, and there is no reason to consider a trump from Kx. That leaves the four of spades, high from a doubleton; this is a poor but "least-worst" choice. (With a weaker hand, where partner can be expected to have some values, it is better to lead from an honor than from a small doubleton; imagine partner has the King or Queen in whatever suit you lead. If you have an honor you may build up a trick for your side; if you lead from nothing you will often finesse partner with no opportunity for gain.)
South wins and should play the Ace and a low trump. Inexperienced players often confuse this sort of holding with one such as AJ10x opposite Q9xx; then, you would lead the Queen from dummy hoping East covers. A good guideline is to ask yourself whether, if you lead an honor and it is covered, you gain a trick; if not, do not lead an honor, lead toward it. As it happens, South can still pick up trumps with only one loser if he starts with the Queen by leading low toward the A10 the next round, but that play would cost a trick if West held KJx and can gain only against an unlikely singelton Jack with West.
West wins the King and observes dummy started with 14 hcp, not 12, so prospects of a useful card in partner's hand are quite bleak. May as well try Ace of diamonds and a diamond, hoping for a ruff. No such luck and declarer should score 4 spade tricks, 4 trumps, a diamond and two clubs for +650.
Board 16: West opens 1D, North overcalls 2C, South replies 2S. North has enough to try 2NT; South can support clubs but you hate to leave a secen card major "on the shelf". He should give some thought to 4S but should probably settle for 3S with his Aceless hand and most of his points in his short suits. North may raise but, having basically described his hand, should trust partner and pass.
West would like to pass the lead but the rules require him to select one. "When in doubt, lead a trump" is apt to be poor advice here -- North has announced a good source of tricks in clubs, and declarer can be expected to pull trumps and discard losers on clubs. Leading an Ace to "look at dummy" will generally prove to be an expensive view. And if you lead Ace from Ace-King, how can partner tell when you lead an unsupported Ace?
I think I'd try the King of clubs. This looks wrong: partner is unlikely to have an entry to give you a ruff, and it seems you are assisting declarer in establishing clubs. But he'll have to lead toward one of your Aces, or allow you to ruff a club. The lead proves not to be critical unless West cashes the Ace of diamonds and does not cash the Ace of hearts; West collects three Aces and another trump.
Board 19: West opens 1C and North likely doubles, though I might prefer 1D with this Aceless collection. Some Easts would redouble but the modern style is to respond in a major if possible, ignoring the double. Over 1H, South should go ahead and bid 1S -- don't leave partner to fight the part-score battles on his own; he should not expect more than this in competition. Likewise, West's 2C is "automatic"; pass would suggest a balanced minimum, not this excellent, shapely hand. If you learned from a textbook that free bids, even at levels, promise extra values, rip those pages out and burn them -- that theory has been obsolete for 50 years. Get in the trenches and fight for those part-scores!
North would pass partner's 1S if West passes but should confirm the four card support by raising to 2S in competition. The basic goal of competitive bidding, when both sides have a fit, is to force the oponnents to the three level.
East would like to bid 3NT at this point but lacks a clear spade stopper. I suggest 3D, forcing, hoping for delayed heart support or 3NT from partner. It's routine to bid a 3 card minor as a convenience bid when needed. West bids 3NT. (Ideal would be 3S, asking partner to bid 3NT; this helps when partner has Qx. But you'd need partner to bid 3NT regardless of his spade holding and few partnerships have such an agreement.)
Ten or more tricks are easy at 3NT. Five clubs can also make but requires a bit of guesswork. Long, running suits are ideal for notrump if you have enough quick tricks and stoppers on the side.
Board 3: A normal auction would be 1NT-2C-2H-3NT-pass. Various slams are makeable, but notice that you have winning finesses in hearts and diamonds and clubs split 3-3. 31 hcp with no fit will generally not give a good play for 6NT, and only two declarers managed 12 tricks.
Board 6: East should open 3D, even vulnerable vs. not; with such a good trump suit you are unlikely to be doubled. South overcalls 3H and North replies 3S; this is forcing by an unpassed hand. South rebids 4C (has to be natural, for hands just like this) and North should smell a slam, though 4S would be a reasonable matchpoint guess. Over 4D, South's 5 loser hand justifies 4NT; North replies with only 1 Ace or Key card but South guesses he has good trumps for his bidding and signs off in 6C.
West leads a diamond, dummy wins and South unblacks the Ace of spades before tackling trumps (low from hand). West ducks the first trump and South continues low to his King. Declarer plans on winning four trumps, two red aces and 5 or 6 spades along with a diamond ruff if needed. West holds off again, planning to cover dummy's last trump with his Ace. South leads another trump to dummy, and now West has the bare Ace while South has two trumps and North one. Leading another trump would leave no entry back to the spades, so declarer begins running the spades. West can ruff in on the fourth spade but dummy has a trump left for re-entry and N/S chalk up +920.
At 4S, a reasonable line for North would be to win the first diamond, ruff a diamond with the Ace, pitch the last diamond on the Ace of hearts, ruff a heart back to hand, play three top trumps and then knock out the Ace of clubs. Twelve tricks if the ten of spades drops, 11 if it does not but trumps are 4-2.
A safer line for 10 tricks would be to lead a club off dummy after cashing the Ace of hearts; this avoids losing control if spades are 5-1, but allows the defense a club ruff. At matchpoints one rarely surrenders an overtrick to guard against a 5-1 break, unless you're doubled.
Board 15: South opens 1C, North replies 1H, South raises to 2H and North bids either 4H (if South promises four card support) or 3NT (in case South raised on only 3.) Unless you have explicitly discussed and ruled out three card raises with this partner, South should correct to 4H despite his flat shape. (Most experts will raise with Qxx of trumps and a singleton, some with xxx or a small doubleton, so don't assume 4 trumps in this sequence without discussion.)
West has no attractive lead. Adding his 11 hcp to N/S's 24+ for game leaves very little for partner, so West should try to avoid blowing a trick on the lead. Also, the auction did not suggest any strong side suit for dummy or declarer. Leading the Ace without the King is very poor, Qxx in declarer's first suit is surely wrong, and there is no reason to consider a trump from Kx. That leaves the four of spades, high from a doubleton; this is a poor but "least-worst" choice. (With a weaker hand, where partner can be expected to have some values, it is better to lead from an honor than from a small doubleton; imagine partner has the King or Queen in whatever suit you lead. If you have an honor you may build up a trick for your side; if you lead from nothing you will often finesse partner with no opportunity for gain.)
South wins and should play the Ace and a low trump. Inexperienced players often confuse this sort of holding with one such as AJ10x opposite Q9xx; then, you would lead the Queen from dummy hoping East covers. A good guideline is to ask yourself whether, if you lead an honor and it is covered, you gain a trick; if not, do not lead an honor, lead toward it. As it happens, South can still pick up trumps with only one loser if he starts with the Queen by leading low toward the A10 the next round, but that play would cost a trick if West held KJx and can gain only against an unlikely singelton Jack with West.
West wins the King and observes dummy started with 14 hcp, not 12, so prospects of a useful card in partner's hand are quite bleak. May as well try Ace of diamonds and a diamond, hoping for a ruff. No such luck and declarer should score 4 spade tricks, 4 trumps, a diamond and two clubs for +650.
Board 16: West opens 1D, North overcalls 2C, South replies 2S. North has enough to try 2NT; South can support clubs but you hate to leave a secen card major "on the shelf". He should give some thought to 4S but should probably settle for 3S with his Aceless hand and most of his points in his short suits. North may raise but, having basically described his hand, should trust partner and pass.
West would like to pass the lead but the rules require him to select one. "When in doubt, lead a trump" is apt to be poor advice here -- North has announced a good source of tricks in clubs, and declarer can be expected to pull trumps and discard losers on clubs. Leading an Ace to "look at dummy" will generally prove to be an expensive view. And if you lead Ace from Ace-King, how can partner tell when you lead an unsupported Ace?
I think I'd try the King of clubs. This looks wrong: partner is unlikely to have an entry to give you a ruff, and it seems you are assisting declarer in establishing clubs. But he'll have to lead toward one of your Aces, or allow you to ruff a club. The lead proves not to be critical unless West cashes the Ace of diamonds and does not cash the Ace of hearts; West collects three Aces and another trump.
Board 19: West opens 1C and North likely doubles, though I might prefer 1D with this Aceless collection. Some Easts would redouble but the modern style is to respond in a major if possible, ignoring the double. Over 1H, South should go ahead and bid 1S -- don't leave partner to fight the part-score battles on his own; he should not expect more than this in competition. Likewise, West's 2C is "automatic"; pass would suggest a balanced minimum, not this excellent, shapely hand. If you learned from a textbook that free bids, even at levels, promise extra values, rip those pages out and burn them -- that theory has been obsolete for 50 years. Get in the trenches and fight for those part-scores!
North would pass partner's 1S if West passes but should confirm the four card support by raising to 2S in competition. The basic goal of competitive bidding, when both sides have a fit, is to force the oponnents to the three level.
East would like to bid 3NT at this point but lacks a clear spade stopper. I suggest 3D, forcing, hoping for delayed heart support or 3NT from partner. It's routine to bid a 3 card minor as a convenience bid when needed. West bids 3NT. (Ideal would be 3S, asking partner to bid 3NT; this helps when partner has Qx. But you'd need partner to bid 3NT regardless of his spade holding and few partnerships have such an agreement.)
Ten or more tricks are easy at 3NT. Five clubs can also make but requires a bit of guesswork. Long, running suits are ideal for notrump if you have enough quick tricks and stoppers on the side.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday 9/3/10
Right-click here for hands.
Board 7: After two passes, North opens a strong 2C. East may try to jam things up with a leap in hearts or a two-suited 4NT takeout (partner will expect the minors but East will correct 5C to 5D, showing diamonds and hearts.) No matter, N/S should land in 6S, making 7 when the King of clubs drops. Bidding with super-weak hands such as East's will as likely help declarer play the contract as lead to a winning sacrifice, but here it has no effect on the contract or play.
Board 11: West opens 1H and North likely preempts 3C. East bids 4C to show a high-card-rich raise (the bid has nothing to do with clubs) and West signs off at 4H. Should East make a slam try? A sound principle is not to venture beyond game unless you know your side has the power for 12 tricks. If you reach 5 with 12 tricks but 2 top losers, you will usually survive. If you have only enough for 11 tricks, any bad luck may be fatal.
South probably doubles 4C for a lead, in which case West has choices. 4H would be the weakest action; South's double suggests the club King may not lie under the Ace, and overall West has a fair hand; 4D would show active slam interest while pass is mildly encouraging. After 1H-(3C)-4C-(X)-pass, East cue-bids 4D. West is still minimum and uncertain how useful the club King will be, so 4H seems prudent as does East's final pass. Slam makes only due to the best luck possible in spades.
Board 12: A heartbreaker, with multiple slams makeable but difficult to handle at the table. North opens 1S (a cautious player might pass this control-poor, aceless collection) and South puts the pedal to the metal. A typical 2/1 GF sequence might be 1S-2H-4H, North showing his support and a very bad hand for slam. No matter, South continues with 4NT-5D (or 5C playing 1430)-5NT (we have all the key cards and the Queen of trumps)-6D (one side King)-6H-pass. North could bid the grand slam himself directly over 5NT if he had solid spades (that's why the bid MUST promise all six "prime" cards) so South should not get greedy.
At our table West led a club and the Queen won. This does not mark West with the King as East should not cover, looking at both the Queen and Jack and knowing South has the Ace. (West is hardly likely to be void in spades or diamonds on this bidding, so East can dismiss a spectacular underlead from partner.)
South can count a likely 2 spades, 5 hearts, 2 diamonds including a ruff and 2 clubs. He needs the spade finesse, a long spade, or another club trick. He wants to guard against a 4-1 trump split, and an early ruff, such as in clubs. A reasonable plan might be two rounds of trumps, Ace of diamonds and a ruff, spade back to hand, finish pulling trumps, finesse the Jack of spades This makes if niether spades nor trumps are 5-0, West does not have Jxxx of trumps, and either the spade finesse works or the suit split 3-2.
Which way to start the hearts? If East has Jxxx, you may switch gears and lead the third trump from dummy, planning to dispose of the diamond on a long spade if the suit is 3-2 or resort to the diamond finesse if spades are 4-1. Looks like low heart to the Ace, low to the King gives you the option to finesse or take the ruff as needed; at least two declarers took an immediate ruff, which seems premature.
Low the Ace and West shows out! Let's rethink -- you now have a trump loser and must hope the spade finesse works. Also, you need to pitch a club, so better hope West has Qx(x) of spades. That gives you 4 trumps, 5 spades, 1 diamond, 2 clubs, still 12 tricks. Heart back to the King, finesse a heart, Queen of hearts and give East his trump trick so he can't stop the spades later. With Aces in both minors and West's Qxx in spades, the slam rolls in despite the 5-0 break. No one at the table found this line. Playing the King of hearts first allows declarer to avoid a trump loser and make 7, but that play seems to cater only to East having 5 trumps, an unlikely case.
Several pairs landed in 6 spades, makeable on a squeeze against West, even with the opening heart ruff. With only Axx support, I see no reason for South to support spades once partner raises hearts.
Board 13: North opens 2NT (20-21) and South must decide whether to bid or pass. 3NT rates to be around 40% opposite 20, 59% opposite 21; and there is the possibility of a heart fit if South bids Stayman. However, 4H may not be a good spot even with a fit. With no Ace or King and a sketchy suit, pass is probably best, but at matchpoints South may reasonably try Stayman and, when opener bids hearts, pass! This seems inconsistent since South will have to bid 3NT over 3D or 3S, but simply getting to hearts may win the board as other Souths pass or raise to 3NT. Only two pairs stopped at 2NT, something to keep in mind when you face this sort of 24-or-25 combined hcp stop-or-bid decision.
Board 26: East opens 1S (higher ranking with 5-5), West responds 1NT (forcing for most these days), East jump-shifts to 3D (game forcing), West bids 3NT, all pass. North leads the six of hearts, Q, K. Should West win or hold up? Win, since 108x can stand a lead from either side and this is matchpoints. It looks like the defense should collect a diamond and two hearts (whether or not West holds up) but four declarers managed 11 tricks (two were East and perhaps the Wests got a different lead.)
Board 7: After two passes, North opens a strong 2C. East may try to jam things up with a leap in hearts or a two-suited 4NT takeout (partner will expect the minors but East will correct 5C to 5D, showing diamonds and hearts.) No matter, N/S should land in 6S, making 7 when the King of clubs drops. Bidding with super-weak hands such as East's will as likely help declarer play the contract as lead to a winning sacrifice, but here it has no effect on the contract or play.
Board 11: West opens 1H and North likely preempts 3C. East bids 4C to show a high-card-rich raise (the bid has nothing to do with clubs) and West signs off at 4H. Should East make a slam try? A sound principle is not to venture beyond game unless you know your side has the power for 12 tricks. If you reach 5 with 12 tricks but 2 top losers, you will usually survive. If you have only enough for 11 tricks, any bad luck may be fatal.
South probably doubles 4C for a lead, in which case West has choices. 4H would be the weakest action; South's double suggests the club King may not lie under the Ace, and overall West has a fair hand; 4D would show active slam interest while pass is mildly encouraging. After 1H-(3C)-4C-(X)-pass, East cue-bids 4D. West is still minimum and uncertain how useful the club King will be, so 4H seems prudent as does East's final pass. Slam makes only due to the best luck possible in spades.
Board 12: A heartbreaker, with multiple slams makeable but difficult to handle at the table. North opens 1S (a cautious player might pass this control-poor, aceless collection) and South puts the pedal to the metal. A typical 2/1 GF sequence might be 1S-2H-4H, North showing his support and a very bad hand for slam. No matter, South continues with 4NT-5D (or 5C playing 1430)-5NT (we have all the key cards and the Queen of trumps)-6D (one side King)-6H-pass. North could bid the grand slam himself directly over 5NT if he had solid spades (that's why the bid MUST promise all six "prime" cards) so South should not get greedy.
At our table West led a club and the Queen won. This does not mark West with the King as East should not cover, looking at both the Queen and Jack and knowing South has the Ace. (West is hardly likely to be void in spades or diamonds on this bidding, so East can dismiss a spectacular underlead from partner.)
South can count a likely 2 spades, 5 hearts, 2 diamonds including a ruff and 2 clubs. He needs the spade finesse, a long spade, or another club trick. He wants to guard against a 4-1 trump split, and an early ruff, such as in clubs. A reasonable plan might be two rounds of trumps, Ace of diamonds and a ruff, spade back to hand, finish pulling trumps, finesse the Jack of spades This makes if niether spades nor trumps are 5-0, West does not have Jxxx of trumps, and either the spade finesse works or the suit split 3-2.
Which way to start the hearts? If East has Jxxx, you may switch gears and lead the third trump from dummy, planning to dispose of the diamond on a long spade if the suit is 3-2 or resort to the diamond finesse if spades are 4-1. Looks like low heart to the Ace, low to the King gives you the option to finesse or take the ruff as needed; at least two declarers took an immediate ruff, which seems premature.
Low the Ace and West shows out! Let's rethink -- you now have a trump loser and must hope the spade finesse works. Also, you need to pitch a club, so better hope West has Qx(x) of spades. That gives you 4 trumps, 5 spades, 1 diamond, 2 clubs, still 12 tricks. Heart back to the King, finesse a heart, Queen of hearts and give East his trump trick so he can't stop the spades later. With Aces in both minors and West's Qxx in spades, the slam rolls in despite the 5-0 break. No one at the table found this line. Playing the King of hearts first allows declarer to avoid a trump loser and make 7, but that play seems to cater only to East having 5 trumps, an unlikely case.
Several pairs landed in 6 spades, makeable on a squeeze against West, even with the opening heart ruff. With only Axx support, I see no reason for South to support spades once partner raises hearts.
Board 13: North opens 2NT (20-21) and South must decide whether to bid or pass. 3NT rates to be around 40% opposite 20, 59% opposite 21; and there is the possibility of a heart fit if South bids Stayman. However, 4H may not be a good spot even with a fit. With no Ace or King and a sketchy suit, pass is probably best, but at matchpoints South may reasonably try Stayman and, when opener bids hearts, pass! This seems inconsistent since South will have to bid 3NT over 3D or 3S, but simply getting to hearts may win the board as other Souths pass or raise to 3NT. Only two pairs stopped at 2NT, something to keep in mind when you face this sort of 24-or-25 combined hcp stop-or-bid decision.
Board 26: East opens 1S (higher ranking with 5-5), West responds 1NT (forcing for most these days), East jump-shifts to 3D (game forcing), West bids 3NT, all pass. North leads the six of hearts, Q, K. Should West win or hold up? Win, since 108x can stand a lead from either side and this is matchpoints. It looks like the defense should collect a diamond and two hearts (whether or not West holds up) but four declarers managed 11 tricks (two were East and perhaps the Wests got a different lead.)
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