Thursday, February 17, 2011

Thursday, 2/17/2011

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Board 5: North opens 2S, and South can count a likely 13 tricks: 6 spades, 5 diamonds and two clubs. However, North is unlikely to have AK of spades and K of hearts, so slam looks iffy. It's 50% East will have the Ace of hearts, which he will lead against a slam, and if he doesn't have the King himself partner will signal for the setting trick. And if West has the Ace, East will lead hearts randomly part of the time -- so slam is well below 50%, and the practical bid is 4S. Playing "feature" responses to a 2NT response, South can try 2NT and then 4NT if the weak two bidder shows a heart feature. As it happens, East has no reason to lead a heart and North claims 13 tricks.

Board 7: With two quick tricks and a Goren 13 count, West is too strong for 3S, and his suit quality is rather shabby for 4S, so I recommend a simple 1S opening, planning to rebid the suit. North doubles planning to show a "strong overcall" by bidding diamonds later. Most play that a new suit at the two level over a double is not forcing, but East is extremely weak and should pass. South might bid 1NT to show constructive values and a spade stop, but I think I'd bid a simple 2C for the moment. Despite the vulnerability and minimum values, West's hand is worth 2S. North shows his strength with 3D. South may contribute an Ace, a ruff and a club winner, but slam looks like a stretch and 3NT appears to be the practical bid.

West is leary of leading the normal low spade; he may try the King hoping South does not have AJx. South wins and lead a diamond toward the Queen; West ducks but South then cashes four clubs and leads a second diamond to set up the suit while he has a heart entry. West can do no more than hold it to five by taking his ace and spade winner. 6D isn't a lock looking at just the N/S cards so no need to worry about missing this slam.

Board 13: North opens 1D; East may bid 2S despite the vulnerability and ratty suit, counting on his extra shape to save him. South can reasonably bid 3H but that will make it almost impossible to reach 3NT, a likely spot; a negative double is more flexible. West can raise to 3S; three card support would be normal but Qx and the club suit are worth a bump. North loves his hand and bids 4H. West's raise actually helps South evaluate his hand, "seeing" North's singleton (or void) spade. North may not actually be able to trump all three spade losers (too many high honors, as here) but South can treat his hand as supporting North's red two-suiter and count the spade Ace, diamond AQ and one or two club ruffs as winners. Partner suggested a better than minimum hand bidding 4H so South is justified in venturing 4NT followed by 6H. (If not playing standard Blackwood rather than Roman Key Card, South should cue-bid 4S and trust partner will bid slam if he has good trumps.) North has an easy time pulling trumps and ruffing two clubs.

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