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.)