Right-click here for hands.
Competition Corner -- competing after a 1NT opening
Board 2: South opens 1NT (15-17.) West, with a fair, unbalanced hand, overcalls 2C if natural, or as a two-suiter playing DONT (clubs and another suit.) North expects there may be a heart fit, but staring at 11 losers, vulnerable, passes in tempo. East can raise a natural club overcall, hoping to block the heart suit; playing DONT, the clubs may be only 4 cards, partner's second suit is probably hearts, and pass is the only safe call. South can double 2C for takeout (double by the 1NT opener in the balancing seat is normally played as takeout, penalty if the doubler is "over" the bidder) but must pass against 3C. This proves to be a winning call even though 3C makes; top scores for E/W came in the hard-to-find spade fit or against 3H or, of course, 3C doubled and making.
Red vs. Black -- Board 28: North's hand is strong enough for 2C but with less than 20 hcp, two-suited hands will generally do better to open one of a suit, planning to jump shift later. Over 1H, East similarly qualifies for a double followed by bidding clubs, but again the bidding may get out of hand and it's best to get the main suit in quickly with a 2C overcall. South and West pass; North, needing only a fit to have a shot at game, jumps to 3D. East is good enough for 3S, and South should realize partner forced to game with no promise of values; three little hearts are enough to raise to 4H. When this is passed around to East, a glance at the vulnerability justifies 5C; South doubles, planning to lead trumps and collect two spade tricks. North remembers South did not raise over 2C and leaves the double in rather bidding one more. 5C double, down 2 or 3, proves a good sacrifice. 5H looks like it might make if declarer ruffs the second club, cashes one high trump, then two diamonds, diamond ruff, club ruff, diamond ruff, exit a spade; declarer still has a small trump to ruff either black suit, and can then pull West's trumps and claim the fifth diamond. The double-dummy analyzer shows only 10 tricks at hearts and that's what every declarer made at the table.
At our table North opened 2C and I overcalled 3NT ! I counted 8 winners and, even if they run one or both of the red suits, it's only 50 points a trick undoubled. Partner mistook this as unusual (as he said later, "oh, it was simply weird, not unusual") but N/S stumbled into 6H without benfit of an Ace-asking bid, down 2. I think 3NT ought to be a gambling, long-suit type bid (or simply a bluff) by an unpassed hand rather than unusual; 2NT would show the minors while 4NT might be any two suits not including spades.
Pass in Tempo -- Board 19: West opens 1D, North overcalls 1S despite the ratty suit; not vulnerable at matchpoints and with a fair hand, bidding will gain more often than it loses. This sort of overcall is not recommended at IMP scoring. East passes with no apparent thought; South should pass but at our table chose an off-beat raise, perhaps based on the vulnerability (or expecting a better suit from partner.) West doubles 1S or 2S for takeout and East passes again, converting the double to penalties. Ace of spades and a low spade holds declarer to two high spades, a diamond and a club, +500 E/W against 1S doubles, +800 for 2S doubled. E/W can make 3NT as the cards lay but with only 22 hcp there is no reason to bid it.
If South escapes into hearts, West doubles but E/W can manage only 6 tricks and +100 will prove disappointing.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday 4/18/2011
Right-click here for hands.
Competition Corner
Board 10: West opens a minor in 3rd seat; 1C looks more appealing than 1H. On some hands you may want to open 1D to prepare for a 2C rebid without reversing, but with 4-4 in the minors I usually have no intention of bidding both of them anyway. North overcalls 1H; East may stretch for a negative double, showing exactly 4 spades. A "free" bid of 1S would promise five; there is no difference in the strength required for either response, and it's a good idea to go ahead and compete with such hands if you would've responded over a pass and your response is no higher than usual. South raises to 2H and West bids 2S on the known 4-4 fit. Although the general principle is to compete to the three level on your known fit rather than let the opponents play at the two level in their fit (the fit part is important), North does not have any obvious reason to prefer to declare rather than defend, and so should pass the decision to partner. (A sixth trump, singleton, or good source of tricks in a side suit would tilt toward declaring and justify 3H by North.) 2S is passed around to South, who may well choose to pass with 3334 shape and both sides vulnerable. The fact South has 10 hcp rather than 6 is immaterial -- those cards will be as useful for defense as offense. Today's hand happens to favor declaring, and about half the N/S pairs appear to have competed to 3H. West might bid 3S with his singleton heart, but that could well be down 200 9as today) or chase N/S into a making game -- it is always dangerous to bid again over 3 or 5 of a major. The vulnerability and "poison" Queen in the enemy suit also favor passing: lacking their Queen of trumps, the enemy must be bidding on other values, and partner may be rather light.
East can find arguments for and against every lead; the diamond Ace is probably the worst on average, but may appeal if that's what West opened. Note that East is not eager to ruff with what may well be a natural trump trick if West has a trump honor as here. Spades, at least, can be counted on not to establish long cards for the enemy so East settles on a low spade. (With a stronger hand East would probably lead a trump.) Dummy plays low and West inserts the 8 -- East is known to have exactly four spades and so North cannot have a singleton; the spade won't go away as dummy has no threat suit. Playing the Ace establishes two tricks for declarer immediately, though declarer can finesse for a second spade trick in any case.
The defense should collect a trick in each suit and N/S score +140 for an above average score. 3S is apt to be set two tricks for a bottom, but if N/S can't stand to defend 3S chases them into a doomed 4H. Competitive bidding is as much about knowing when to quit as when to bid one more.
Bidding after a strong 2C
Board 9: North has "only" 20 hcp but counts a likely 9.5 tricks at notrump or diamonds; with 3 aces 2C is clear. With an Ace and KQ, South should be thinking slam if a fit can be found, and spades is an obvious candidate. Although many prefer to have two of the top three honors for a positive suit response to 2C, it will be difficult for South to "catch up" after a 2D response. After 2S, North expects South to provide around 2.5 tricks and can usefully pitch a heart or club on South's expected second high spade, so North should drive the hand to 6D or 6NT.
If 2S pomises two of the top three spades, South must begin with 2D waiting; this may promise some values if playing 2H as a bust, or South may show some values by not bidding a second negative -- but what's the negative over North's 3D? That's one reason I like the 2H bust scheme -- you don't have to figure out what bid is an artificial negative on the next round. North bids 3D, South shows the spades, and North bids 3NT. South must not pass! North will have something like 22-26 points, but is unaware South has 9 rather than 4 or 5. South can raise to 4NT as a general slam invitation (quantitative); 4NT should not be Ace-asking when it is a raise of notrump. But on this ocassion treating 4NT as Blackwood will work out OK as South learns about North's 3 Aces and bids 6NT. South may wonder if he should've rebid the spades but there really was no good opportunity on this auction.
"Steps" bidders respond 2S as South, showing 7-9; North will probably drive to slam after that start. The lead won't matter against 6D, as declarer (South or North as it happens) can pull trumps and try ruffing two spades; the suit splits 3-3 so no finesse is needed, but the club finesse also works. At 6NT by North, East may lead a spade and North will not want to risk the slam on a finesse, although running the diamonds may squeeze the defenders enough for a club or spade to set up. No one reached notrump so playing safe is correct, +990 would be a top and the overtrick an unnecessary risk.
Strong 1444 and bidding over opener's reverse
Board 17: East, with 1444 shape and 17 hcp, has a problem in standard bidding. The textbook sequence is to open 1D and rebid 2C; this promises no extra values, and so could be a shapely 11, but is limited only by the failure to jump, which would show at least 19; 11-18 is an uncomfortably wide range. Responder should try to find a second bid with 8+ hcp, but cannot bid 2NT with less than 11; a preference to 2D is the usual technique, and may be ventured with as little as a small doubleton just to give opener another chance with a strong hand. On today's hand the bidding proceeds 1D-1S-2C-3C-3NT and the normal spot is reached.
This 1D-then-2C sequence has some pitfalls, however: West may be unable to show hearts with a weak 5-4 hand, and a major suit game can be missed. Also, partner's 3C second bid can have a wide range and East may have to guess whether to bid again. Some may prefer to open a diamond with the East hand and reverse into 2H over 1S, showing 17+ points. This may miss a club fit and mislead partner regarding your diamond length, but shows the correct strength and caters to any major suit or notrump game.
Give East one less club and one more diamond (x AKxx AQxxx Axx) and the reverse would be automatic; but many partnerships lack clear agreement on how to proceed over a reverse:
Method 1: West bids naturally with any weak hand, choosing among 2S, 2NT, 3D or 3H. With 8+, West jumps or bids 3C artificially (the fourth suit.) Today's West should therefore jump to 3NT since he has extra values and good club stoppers. This risks missing a spade game or slam or a club slam. Not ideal, but this is probably what you should assume if you've never discussed reverses with partner.
Method 2 (lebensohl over reverse): Opener promises a rebid after his reverse and enough strength for 2NT or 3 of a suit to be sound (17+ hcp or somewhat less with extra shape beyond the expected 4-5.) Responder generally bids naturally with any game-going hand (about 8+), so 3D and 3H show positive fits (3+ diamonds or 4+ hearts.) Responder can bid 3NT with good clubs or 3C artificially to show game values but uncertainty about the proper strain.
With a weak hand (5-7), responder bids 2NT (lebensohl) as a warning and a request for opener to rebid 3C. Responder can pass that bid or correct to 3D or 3H having shown weakness. Opener may choose to bid something other than 3C on a hand with extra shape or strength.
With 5+ spades, responder can rebid 2S whether weak or strong. This is forcing, but if responder follows with 3D or 3H those bids are assumed to be weak. A stronger hand would either bid one of those immediately or jump after bidding 2S. If opener bids 2NT or 3D over 2S, responder may pass with 5-7.
There is a third method involving the cheaper of the 4th suit or 2NT as the weakness relay, but the advantages are marginal and not worth the memory burden for most partnerships. Lebensohl over reverse is easy to remember if you use lebensohl in the other common cases, after a double of a weak two and after an overcall of partner's 1NT. In all three cases the problem is the wide range of strength possible for hands bidding three of a suit without a jump; lebensohl provides two different paths to reach the same level and so a way to split up the wide range. The cost is losing the ability to bid 2NT naturally but this trade-off is generally worthwhile.
Competition Corner
Board 10: West opens a minor in 3rd seat; 1C looks more appealing than 1H. On some hands you may want to open 1D to prepare for a 2C rebid without reversing, but with 4-4 in the minors I usually have no intention of bidding both of them anyway. North overcalls 1H; East may stretch for a negative double, showing exactly 4 spades. A "free" bid of 1S would promise five; there is no difference in the strength required for either response, and it's a good idea to go ahead and compete with such hands if you would've responded over a pass and your response is no higher than usual. South raises to 2H and West bids 2S on the known 4-4 fit. Although the general principle is to compete to the three level on your known fit rather than let the opponents play at the two level in their fit (the fit part is important), North does not have any obvious reason to prefer to declare rather than defend, and so should pass the decision to partner. (A sixth trump, singleton, or good source of tricks in a side suit would tilt toward declaring and justify 3H by North.) 2S is passed around to South, who may well choose to pass with 3334 shape and both sides vulnerable. The fact South has 10 hcp rather than 6 is immaterial -- those cards will be as useful for defense as offense. Today's hand happens to favor declaring, and about half the N/S pairs appear to have competed to 3H. West might bid 3S with his singleton heart, but that could well be down 200 9as today) or chase N/S into a making game -- it is always dangerous to bid again over 3 or 5 of a major. The vulnerability and "poison" Queen in the enemy suit also favor passing: lacking their Queen of trumps, the enemy must be bidding on other values, and partner may be rather light.
East can find arguments for and against every lead; the diamond Ace is probably the worst on average, but may appeal if that's what West opened. Note that East is not eager to ruff with what may well be a natural trump trick if West has a trump honor as here. Spades, at least, can be counted on not to establish long cards for the enemy so East settles on a low spade. (With a stronger hand East would probably lead a trump.) Dummy plays low and West inserts the 8 -- East is known to have exactly four spades and so North cannot have a singleton; the spade won't go away as dummy has no threat suit. Playing the Ace establishes two tricks for declarer immediately, though declarer can finesse for a second spade trick in any case.
The defense should collect a trick in each suit and N/S score +140 for an above average score. 3S is apt to be set two tricks for a bottom, but if N/S can't stand to defend 3S chases them into a doomed 4H. Competitive bidding is as much about knowing when to quit as when to bid one more.
Bidding after a strong 2C
Board 9: North has "only" 20 hcp but counts a likely 9.5 tricks at notrump or diamonds; with 3 aces 2C is clear. With an Ace and KQ, South should be thinking slam if a fit can be found, and spades is an obvious candidate. Although many prefer to have two of the top three honors for a positive suit response to 2C, it will be difficult for South to "catch up" after a 2D response. After 2S, North expects South to provide around 2.5 tricks and can usefully pitch a heart or club on South's expected second high spade, so North should drive the hand to 6D or 6NT.
If 2S pomises two of the top three spades, South must begin with 2D waiting; this may promise some values if playing 2H as a bust, or South may show some values by not bidding a second negative -- but what's the negative over North's 3D? That's one reason I like the 2H bust scheme -- you don't have to figure out what bid is an artificial negative on the next round. North bids 3D, South shows the spades, and North bids 3NT. South must not pass! North will have something like 22-26 points, but is unaware South has 9 rather than 4 or 5. South can raise to 4NT as a general slam invitation (quantitative); 4NT should not be Ace-asking when it is a raise of notrump. But on this ocassion treating 4NT as Blackwood will work out OK as South learns about North's 3 Aces and bids 6NT. South may wonder if he should've rebid the spades but there really was no good opportunity on this auction.
"Steps" bidders respond 2S as South, showing 7-9; North will probably drive to slam after that start. The lead won't matter against 6D, as declarer (South or North as it happens) can pull trumps and try ruffing two spades; the suit splits 3-3 so no finesse is needed, but the club finesse also works. At 6NT by North, East may lead a spade and North will not want to risk the slam on a finesse, although running the diamonds may squeeze the defenders enough for a club or spade to set up. No one reached notrump so playing safe is correct, +990 would be a top and the overtrick an unnecessary risk.
Strong 1444 and bidding over opener's reverse
Board 17: East, with 1444 shape and 17 hcp, has a problem in standard bidding. The textbook sequence is to open 1D and rebid 2C; this promises no extra values, and so could be a shapely 11, but is limited only by the failure to jump, which would show at least 19; 11-18 is an uncomfortably wide range. Responder should try to find a second bid with 8+ hcp, but cannot bid 2NT with less than 11; a preference to 2D is the usual technique, and may be ventured with as little as a small doubleton just to give opener another chance with a strong hand. On today's hand the bidding proceeds 1D-1S-2C-3C-3NT and the normal spot is reached.
This 1D-then-2C sequence has some pitfalls, however: West may be unable to show hearts with a weak 5-4 hand, and a major suit game can be missed. Also, partner's 3C second bid can have a wide range and East may have to guess whether to bid again. Some may prefer to open a diamond with the East hand and reverse into 2H over 1S, showing 17+ points. This may miss a club fit and mislead partner regarding your diamond length, but shows the correct strength and caters to any major suit or notrump game.
Give East one less club and one more diamond (x AKxx AQxxx Axx) and the reverse would be automatic; but many partnerships lack clear agreement on how to proceed over a reverse:
Method 1: West bids naturally with any weak hand, choosing among 2S, 2NT, 3D or 3H. With 8+, West jumps or bids 3C artificially (the fourth suit.) Today's West should therefore jump to 3NT since he has extra values and good club stoppers. This risks missing a spade game or slam or a club slam. Not ideal, but this is probably what you should assume if you've never discussed reverses with partner.
Method 2 (lebensohl over reverse): Opener promises a rebid after his reverse and enough strength for 2NT or 3 of a suit to be sound (17+ hcp or somewhat less with extra shape beyond the expected 4-5.) Responder generally bids naturally with any game-going hand (about 8+), so 3D and 3H show positive fits (3+ diamonds or 4+ hearts.) Responder can bid 3NT with good clubs or 3C artificially to show game values but uncertainty about the proper strain.
With a weak hand (5-7), responder bids 2NT (lebensohl) as a warning and a request for opener to rebid 3C. Responder can pass that bid or correct to 3D or 3H having shown weakness. Opener may choose to bid something other than 3C on a hand with extra shape or strength.
With 5+ spades, responder can rebid 2S whether weak or strong. This is forcing, but if responder follows with 3D or 3H those bids are assumed to be weak. A stronger hand would either bid one of those immediately or jump after bidding 2S. If opener bids 2NT or 3D over 2S, responder may pass with 5-7.
There is a third method involving the cheaper of the 4th suit or 2NT as the weakness relay, but the advantages are marginal and not worth the memory burden for most partnerships. Lebensohl over reverse is easy to remember if you use lebensohl in the other common cases, after a double of a weak two and after an overcall of partner's 1NT. In all three cases the problem is the wide range of strength possible for hands bidding three of a suit without a jump; lebensohl provides two different paths to reach the same level and so a way to split up the wide range. The cost is losing the ability to bid 2NT naturally but this trade-off is generally worthwhile.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Thursday 4/14/2011
Right-click here for hands.
Passed Hand Raise -- Board 10:
East might open 1C (Rule of 20, or Goren 13 count, including an Ace and two quick tricks) but I expect most passed. Add the 10 of diamonds to bolster that Jack and I would open. Assuming three passes, North opens 1H and East overcalls 2C. South has a complicated hand: x KQxx Q10xxx Kxx . Goren bidders would count 10 hcp, minus one for no Ace, plus three for a singleton with four trumps, for 12 points -- enough to invite game with a cue-bid of 3C. Losing trick counters would count 6 losers and consider inviting slam, not game! (But they, too, should deduct for the two Queens not balanced by Aces.) Cover card bidders assume the opening bid has 7 losers and expect to cover two with the high trumps, one each with the singleton and side King, one-half for the diamonds, so 7 minus 4.5 leaves about 2.5 losers, enough to bid game.
When raising, I try to visualize partner's hand. He's opened, so figure 12 hcp and at least 5332 shape. A plausible hand might be xxx Axxxx KJx Qx; only 10 hcp but pretty much a laydown 10 tricks. Since I can see a laydown game opposite a plausible sub-minimum hand, I would force to game. If I needed a full 12 hcp for a laydown game, I would merely invite -- if partner passes, he is more likely to have a not-so-perfect minimum than the one I'm hoping for. (Passed hand note - be cautious about overbidding opposite a third seat opening, but fourth seat openings should be full strength.)
Having decided to raise to game, South should consider finding a more descriptive bid than a simple blast to 4H. North could have a good hand for slam, or East/West might compete over 4H. It's true that East/West may benefit from any information South provides, but on balance I'm convinced partner will benefit more than the enemy. A direct raise to game traditionally shows five trumps, a singleton, and about 5-9 hcp; the theory is that even if game doesn't make, the opponents could make a part-score or game worth more than any penalty conceded.
South can cue-bid 3C, showing at least limit raise values, and then raise to game even over a sign-off. However, the most descriptive bid for South is a splinter jump to 3S: four trumps usually at least Qxxx, a singleton or void in spades, 10 hcp, and no otherwise no startling distribution on the side -- perfect!
North, holding xxx AJxxxx AK Ax, has five losers and can expect South to ruff two spades, cover the two trump losers, and provide the Queen of diamonds or King of Clubs to dump the club losers. 4NT reveals one key card (or zero Aces using plain Blackwood) and North bids the excellent slam.
25 points! -- Board 13:
West counts his hand three times to make sure it's really 25, then opens a strong 2C after three passes. No reason to preempt the bidding with 3NT on a strong hand, which is why many players play Gambling 3NT. (With partners who don't play Gambling 3NT, I describe 3NT as "9 tricks", typically seven running tricks in a minor and two side aces.) East replies according to style; my favorite is "2H bust", so East bids 2D here promising 4+ points (or at least one King or Ace as some play.) This mildly positive response is forcing to game, so West can save some bidding room with a 2NT rebid, confident partner won't pass. East now bids 3D as a transfer -- systems are "on" when notrump is the first natural bid for our side. West dutifully bids 3H and East bids 3NT. West has extra values and would like to make a slam try -- but looking at all the Aces, how likely is East to cooperate? Well, if East has two Kings or the KQ of trumps he should. West cue-bids 4C but East should assume "if all he needs is the King of hearts he'll use RKCB" and sign off at 4H. That should end the bidding; West cannot count 12 likely tricks opposite Kxxxx and out. The slam makes double-dummy and is likely to make in practice on anything but a spade lead, but note two finesses and a 3-2 trump break are needed -- not good odds.
Passed Hand Raise -- Board 10:
East might open 1C (Rule of 20, or Goren 13 count, including an Ace and two quick tricks) but I expect most passed. Add the 10 of diamonds to bolster that Jack and I would open. Assuming three passes, North opens 1H and East overcalls 2C. South has a complicated hand: x KQxx Q10xxx Kxx . Goren bidders would count 10 hcp, minus one for no Ace, plus three for a singleton with four trumps, for 12 points -- enough to invite game with a cue-bid of 3C. Losing trick counters would count 6 losers and consider inviting slam, not game! (But they, too, should deduct for the two Queens not balanced by Aces.) Cover card bidders assume the opening bid has 7 losers and expect to cover two with the high trumps, one each with the singleton and side King, one-half for the diamonds, so 7 minus 4.5 leaves about 2.5 losers, enough to bid game.
When raising, I try to visualize partner's hand. He's opened, so figure 12 hcp and at least 5332 shape. A plausible hand might be xxx Axxxx KJx Qx; only 10 hcp but pretty much a laydown 10 tricks. Since I can see a laydown game opposite a plausible sub-minimum hand, I would force to game. If I needed a full 12 hcp for a laydown game, I would merely invite -- if partner passes, he is more likely to have a not-so-perfect minimum than the one I'm hoping for. (Passed hand note - be cautious about overbidding opposite a third seat opening, but fourth seat openings should be full strength.)
Having decided to raise to game, South should consider finding a more descriptive bid than a simple blast to 4H. North could have a good hand for slam, or East/West might compete over 4H. It's true that East/West may benefit from any information South provides, but on balance I'm convinced partner will benefit more than the enemy. A direct raise to game traditionally shows five trumps, a singleton, and about 5-9 hcp; the theory is that even if game doesn't make, the opponents could make a part-score or game worth more than any penalty conceded.
South can cue-bid 3C, showing at least limit raise values, and then raise to game even over a sign-off. However, the most descriptive bid for South is a splinter jump to 3S: four trumps usually at least Qxxx, a singleton or void in spades, 10 hcp, and no otherwise no startling distribution on the side -- perfect!
North, holding xxx AJxxxx AK Ax, has five losers and can expect South to ruff two spades, cover the two trump losers, and provide the Queen of diamonds or King of Clubs to dump the club losers. 4NT reveals one key card (or zero Aces using plain Blackwood) and North bids the excellent slam.
25 points! -- Board 13:
West counts his hand three times to make sure it's really 25, then opens a strong 2C after three passes. No reason to preempt the bidding with 3NT on a strong hand, which is why many players play Gambling 3NT. (With partners who don't play Gambling 3NT, I describe 3NT as "9 tricks", typically seven running tricks in a minor and two side aces.) East replies according to style; my favorite is "2H bust", so East bids 2D here promising 4+ points (or at least one King or Ace as some play.) This mildly positive response is forcing to game, so West can save some bidding room with a 2NT rebid, confident partner won't pass. East now bids 3D as a transfer -- systems are "on" when notrump is the first natural bid for our side. West dutifully bids 3H and East bids 3NT. West has extra values and would like to make a slam try -- but looking at all the Aces, how likely is East to cooperate? Well, if East has two Kings or the KQ of trumps he should. West cue-bids 4C but East should assume "if all he needs is the King of hearts he'll use RKCB" and sign off at 4H. That should end the bidding; West cannot count 12 likely tricks opposite Kxxxx and out. The slam makes double-dummy and is likely to make in practice on anything but a spade lead, but note two finesses and a 3-2 trump break are needed -- not good odds.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunday April 10th, 2011
Right-click here for hands.
Competition Corner -- Negative Double
Board 1: South opens 1H in third seat, West overcalls 1S. North stretches for a negative double, showing the minors. East stretches for a 2S raise. Both actions are minimum but sound. South counts five losers and can expect North to ruff at least one spade (they bid and raised, so presumably they have 8, leaving at most two for partner.) The double suggests a couple of high card tricks, and if you play that a minimum double includes a tolerance for partner' suit, South can take a shot at 4H. West has a good defensive hand and poor prospects at 4S; East likewise has minimal shape, so 4H should end the auction. South ruffs the oepning club lead and ducks a spade to prepare for a ruff. West cannot stop that but can safely win and lead the Queen of hearts (there is even a slight chance partner has the Ace.) Declarer wins the King in dummy, Ace of spades, ruff a spade, diamond toward the Queen. Unlucky! South loses two more diamonds and a trump for down 2. South can save a trick by playing the Ace of diamonds before ruffing in dummy, since there is no layout that avoids losing a diamond altogether, but there is no path to 10 tricks.
Slam Away -- Board 13:
North opens 2NT (better than 1S.) South bids 3C as Stayman (or Puppet Stayman), North bids 3S, and South suspects a slam if North has little in clubs. However, there is no obvious way to show the void -- a jump to 5C may well be taken as natural. South can make an artificial slam try by bidding 4H over 3S -- there is no reason to use Stayman and then insist on the other major, so this must show a fit for spades. (But don't try it without discussing it first with partner!) North has an excellent hand -- four key cards -- but no diamond control. A 5C cue-bid doesn't encourage South, who retreats to 5S, which North passes. An astute East will now lead a low diamond and the defense collects the first three tricks. If instead of the cue-bid North relies on Blackwood, South shows zero Aces or Key cards with a 5C or 5D response depending on methods, either of which West may double for a lead. North redoubles 5C to show first-round control, which has the same effect as the cue-bid -- South knows his void is opposite an Ace. However, East has no clue about diamonds, leads a club as requested, and declarer claims all the tricks.
Most pairs reached a heart game by North after a transfer sequence; an unrevealing auction allows N/S to steal 12 tricks on anything but an unlikely diamond lead.
Board 24: West opens 2S, North overcalls 3H. Some "Law of Total Tricks" devotees might bid 3S as East but this is not sound with zero points and a flat hand. South is looking at 17 hcp, but the King of spades is badly placed. South can protect it by bidding notrump but has no reason to expect a single stopper will be enough. South forces to game with a 3S cue-bid, which North should intially take as requesting a spade stopper. West doubles to show the Ace of his suit; North bids 4H to show his good suit (and no stopper.) I would pass as South; slam makes easily but note that the QJ of diamonds provide the 11th and 12th tricks, I don't think either North or South can safely proceeed beyond game.
Competition Corner -- Negative Double
Board 1: South opens 1H in third seat, West overcalls 1S. North stretches for a negative double, showing the minors. East stretches for a 2S raise. Both actions are minimum but sound. South counts five losers and can expect North to ruff at least one spade (they bid and raised, so presumably they have 8, leaving at most two for partner.) The double suggests a couple of high card tricks, and if you play that a minimum double includes a tolerance for partner' suit, South can take a shot at 4H. West has a good defensive hand and poor prospects at 4S; East likewise has minimal shape, so 4H should end the auction. South ruffs the oepning club lead and ducks a spade to prepare for a ruff. West cannot stop that but can safely win and lead the Queen of hearts (there is even a slight chance partner has the Ace.) Declarer wins the King in dummy, Ace of spades, ruff a spade, diamond toward the Queen. Unlucky! South loses two more diamonds and a trump for down 2. South can save a trick by playing the Ace of diamonds before ruffing in dummy, since there is no layout that avoids losing a diamond altogether, but there is no path to 10 tricks.
Slam Away -- Board 13:
North opens 2NT (better than 1S.) South bids 3C as Stayman (or Puppet Stayman), North bids 3S, and South suspects a slam if North has little in clubs. However, there is no obvious way to show the void -- a jump to 5C may well be taken as natural. South can make an artificial slam try by bidding 4H over 3S -- there is no reason to use Stayman and then insist on the other major, so this must show a fit for spades. (But don't try it without discussing it first with partner!) North has an excellent hand -- four key cards -- but no diamond control. A 5C cue-bid doesn't encourage South, who retreats to 5S, which North passes. An astute East will now lead a low diamond and the defense collects the first three tricks. If instead of the cue-bid North relies on Blackwood, South shows zero Aces or Key cards with a 5C or 5D response depending on methods, either of which West may double for a lead. North redoubles 5C to show first-round control, which has the same effect as the cue-bid -- South knows his void is opposite an Ace. However, East has no clue about diamonds, leads a club as requested, and declarer claims all the tricks.
Most pairs reached a heart game by North after a transfer sequence; an unrevealing auction allows N/S to steal 12 tricks on anything but an unlikely diamond lead.
Board 24: West opens 2S, North overcalls 3H. Some "Law of Total Tricks" devotees might bid 3S as East but this is not sound with zero points and a flat hand. South is looking at 17 hcp, but the King of spades is badly placed. South can protect it by bidding notrump but has no reason to expect a single stopper will be enough. South forces to game with a 3S cue-bid, which North should intially take as requesting a spade stopper. West doubles to show the Ace of his suit; North bids 4H to show his good suit (and no stopper.) I would pass as South; slam makes easily but note that the QJ of diamonds provide the 11th and 12th tricks, I don't think either North or South can safely proceeed beyond game.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thursday 4/7/2011
Right-click here for hands.
Play Safe? Board 28:
West, looking at around 9 tricks, opens his longer suit, 1C. East responds 1S. South porbably passes -- usually the right course when they bid your long suit -- but South's spades are quite strong and the response may be on Qxxx or such. Many experts play that after the opponents bid two suits, all suit bids are natural except in known 5 card suits. You would want a suit at least this good to volunteer it knowing you have a bad to horrible break; adding the ten of spades would probably tempt me to bid if I were sure about our understandings. Most players, however, would take 2S as some sort of Michaels bid, a quite unnecessary treatment when both double and 2NT are available to show hearts and diamonds.
Assuming South passes, West proceeds with a 2D reverse, suggesting more clubs than diamonds and something like 17+ points. With extra length such as here, a concentrated 13 is enough. East can bid 2H whether natural or artificial -- he'd like to hear delayed spade support or find out more about West's hand. West reveals at least 5-6 shape by rebidding 3D. East can now count on at least 19 out of 20 hcp in the minors for 10 tricks plus the Ace of hearts. If the diamonds are solid or can be etablished by a ruff (West is likely to have one of the minor suit Jacks) there should be a good play for slam. East cannot be sure spades are controlled but chances are partner is short or has theAce or King, or perhaps they won't lead them. Blackwood reveals one Ace and East bids 6C. (Playing RKCB, East first sets the trump suit by bidding 4C over 3D, and West asks for key cards.)
North can lead his spade to try for a ruff -- they didn't confirm all the Aces, so partner may have the Ace of spades or trumps -- or try to preserve his diamond winner by leading a trump. I'd probably lead the trump but North lead spades against my partner, Jack Hinckle. West ruffs and, looking closely, has a 100% line of play -- trump to the Ace, overtake the Queen, pull the last trump and lead a low diamond toward the nine. West can pressure the defenders first by playing two more trumps, watchign for diamond discards.
Should West take the safety play? With six diamonds out, there are 64 possible combinations for the defenders (2 raised to 6th power), which includes a void and six possible singletons for each defender. Four of those would be the helpful Jack or 8, so the odds two diamond losers if you don't play safe are about 8 out of 64, roughly 12.5%. I would not expect very many pairs to be in this slam and so it does seem reasonable to take the sure bet. Surprisingly, three pairs did bid the slam.
Trying for an overtrick (worth about 1 matchpoint in this case), West attempts to ruff a diamond in dummy, catering to the likely 4-2 split. South, however, ruffs the second diamond and returns partner's spade lead. Declarer can ruff high but has difficultty avoidng a diamond loser.
Perhaps a better line for the overtrick would be to play one high diamond (running the slight 2/64 risk of a void), trump to dummy (leaving one for ruffing), diamond toward the hand. South has no trump in this case but would also be ruffing "air" if he did have another trump. When South discards, declarer ruffs a low diamond, returns to hand by ruffing a spade high, pulls trumps and cashes his remaing minor suit cards for an attempted squeeze. When nothing develops he can cash the heart ace for his 12th trick and concede the last. This appears to improve the odds of making seven with minimal risk.
Play Safe? Board 28:
West, looking at around 9 tricks, opens his longer suit, 1C. East responds 1S. South porbably passes -- usually the right course when they bid your long suit -- but South's spades are quite strong and the response may be on Qxxx or such. Many experts play that after the opponents bid two suits, all suit bids are natural except in known 5 card suits. You would want a suit at least this good to volunteer it knowing you have a bad to horrible break; adding the ten of spades would probably tempt me to bid if I were sure about our understandings. Most players, however, would take 2S as some sort of Michaels bid, a quite unnecessary treatment when both double and 2NT are available to show hearts and diamonds.
Assuming South passes, West proceeds with a 2D reverse, suggesting more clubs than diamonds and something like 17+ points. With extra length such as here, a concentrated 13 is enough. East can bid 2H whether natural or artificial -- he'd like to hear delayed spade support or find out more about West's hand. West reveals at least 5-6 shape by rebidding 3D. East can now count on at least 19 out of 20 hcp in the minors for 10 tricks plus the Ace of hearts. If the diamonds are solid or can be etablished by a ruff (West is likely to have one of the minor suit Jacks) there should be a good play for slam. East cannot be sure spades are controlled but chances are partner is short or has theAce or King, or perhaps they won't lead them. Blackwood reveals one Ace and East bids 6C. (Playing RKCB, East first sets the trump suit by bidding 4C over 3D, and West asks for key cards.)
North can lead his spade to try for a ruff -- they didn't confirm all the Aces, so partner may have the Ace of spades or trumps -- or try to preserve his diamond winner by leading a trump. I'd probably lead the trump but North lead spades against my partner, Jack Hinckle. West ruffs and, looking closely, has a 100% line of play -- trump to the Ace, overtake the Queen, pull the last trump and lead a low diamond toward the nine. West can pressure the defenders first by playing two more trumps, watchign for diamond discards.
Should West take the safety play? With six diamonds out, there are 64 possible combinations for the defenders (2 raised to 6th power), which includes a void and six possible singletons for each defender. Four of those would be the helpful Jack or 8, so the odds two diamond losers if you don't play safe are about 8 out of 64, roughly 12.5%. I would not expect very many pairs to be in this slam and so it does seem reasonable to take the sure bet. Surprisingly, three pairs did bid the slam.
Trying for an overtrick (worth about 1 matchpoint in this case), West attempts to ruff a diamond in dummy, catering to the likely 4-2 split. South, however, ruffs the second diamond and returns partner's spade lead. Declarer can ruff high but has difficultty avoidng a diamond loser.
Perhaps a better line for the overtrick would be to play one high diamond (running the slight 2/64 risk of a void), trump to dummy (leaving one for ruffing), diamond toward the hand. South has no trump in this case but would also be ruffing "air" if he did have another trump. When South discards, declarer ruffs a low diamond, returns to hand by ruffing a spade high, pulls trumps and cashes his remaing minor suit cards for an attempted squeeze. When nothing develops he can cash the heart ace for his 12th trick and concede the last. This appears to improve the odds of making seven with minimal risk.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday, 4/6/2011
Right-click here for hands.
Better Bidding -- 5-5 majors over 1NT
Board 30: South opens a 15-17 1NT and North has 5 cards in each major. Some play gadget jumps (3H and 3S) to show such hands, but there is no need to waste a bid for this rare shape -- ordinary transfers handle them perfectly. With 5-5 majors and game-forcing values, North starts with 2H (transfer to spades) and rebids 3H. A new suit at the three level after a transfer (or Stayman) is game-forcing, and this specific sequence logically shows 5-5 since North would use Stayman with only 5-4 in the majors. North has only 8 hcp, so forcing to game may not be appropriate if partner is minimum with only 3 card support -- it will be hard to use the side suit if the defense forces dummy to ruff early. Also, South may occasionally open 1NT with 2-2 in the majors, such as Ax Kx AQxx Kxxxx. To show game-invitational values such as here, North starts with 2D (transfer to hearts) and follows with 2S. A new suit at the two level after a transfer (this is the only sequence) is invitational, and again the bid logically shows 5-5 since with 4-5 North could begin with Stayman. (If you play Stayman followed by 2H as weak with 4-4 or 5-5 majors, then 2D-then-2S sequence might be 4-5 or 5-5.)
South has a minimum but 4 quick tricks and a fit for both majors; it seems reasonable to bid game in the stronger major, hearts. Four hearts should make unless West gambles on a singleton spade with partner: Ace of spades, high spade for the ruff and asking for a diamond back, second ruff. This is an unlikely defense which would backfire on the more common holding of two spades each with South and East, and in any case a high diamond from AKQ is the obvious lead, which eliminates the entry for the second ruff. The defense is likely to collect two aces and a heart.
Four spades is tricky for for both West and South; West should count points and realize partner cannot be expected to get in to return a heart for West to ruff. So West leads the Queen of diamonds (from AKQ tight), followed by the Ace, ruffed in dummy. South is likely to cross to hand with a club in order to lead a trump toward dummy's KQ. West ducks, and ducks the second spade. If declarer leads another spade, West wins and forces dummy again with the third high diamond. This leaves West with the only remaining trump. Declarer starts on the hearts; West should wait and ruff the third round, eliminating the last entry to dummy. West can now smother dummy's Jack of clubs with the Queen and the defense eventually collects a club trick for down one. As it happens, declarer can prevail by leading a high spade off dummy at trick three (smothering East's Jack) or crossing to hand with the apparently more dangerous heart (denying West a safe exit in clubs later in the hand), but neither play is obvious without looking at all the cards.
Better Bidding -- 5-5 majors over 1NT
Board 30: South opens a 15-17 1NT and North has 5 cards in each major. Some play gadget jumps (3H and 3S) to show such hands, but there is no need to waste a bid for this rare shape -- ordinary transfers handle them perfectly. With 5-5 majors and game-forcing values, North starts with 2H (transfer to spades) and rebids 3H. A new suit at the three level after a transfer (or Stayman) is game-forcing, and this specific sequence logically shows 5-5 since North would use Stayman with only 5-4 in the majors. North has only 8 hcp, so forcing to game may not be appropriate if partner is minimum with only 3 card support -- it will be hard to use the side suit if the defense forces dummy to ruff early. Also, South may occasionally open 1NT with 2-2 in the majors, such as Ax Kx AQxx Kxxxx. To show game-invitational values such as here, North starts with 2D (transfer to hearts) and follows with 2S. A new suit at the two level after a transfer (this is the only sequence) is invitational, and again the bid logically shows 5-5 since with 4-5 North could begin with Stayman. (If you play Stayman followed by 2H as weak with 4-4 or 5-5 majors, then 2D-then-2S sequence might be 4-5 or 5-5.)
South has a minimum but 4 quick tricks and a fit for both majors; it seems reasonable to bid game in the stronger major, hearts. Four hearts should make unless West gambles on a singleton spade with partner: Ace of spades, high spade for the ruff and asking for a diamond back, second ruff. This is an unlikely defense which would backfire on the more common holding of two spades each with South and East, and in any case a high diamond from AKQ is the obvious lead, which eliminates the entry for the second ruff. The defense is likely to collect two aces and a heart.
Four spades is tricky for for both West and South; West should count points and realize partner cannot be expected to get in to return a heart for West to ruff. So West leads the Queen of diamonds (from AKQ tight), followed by the Ace, ruffed in dummy. South is likely to cross to hand with a club in order to lead a trump toward dummy's KQ. West ducks, and ducks the second spade. If declarer leads another spade, West wins and forces dummy again with the third high diamond. This leaves West with the only remaining trump. Declarer starts on the hearts; West should wait and ruff the third round, eliminating the last entry to dummy. West can now smother dummy's Jack of clubs with the Queen and the defense eventually collects a club trick for down one. As it happens, declarer can prevail by leading a high spade off dummy at trick three (smothering East's Jack) or crossing to hand with the apparently more dangerous heart (denying West a safe exit in clubs later in the hand), but neither play is obvious without looking at all the cards.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday Evening, 4/5/2011
Right-click here for hands.
Competition Corner -- Negative double with long suit
Board 13: North has a borderline 1S opening and East a questionable 2H overcall; both have good hands and good spots in their major but topless suits. Assuming both take the agressive action, what does South do with an aceless 10 count and a good 6 card suit? 3D would be a game-forcing bid, committing the side to bid a game or double the opponents. South's hand isn't strong enough for that action. The solution is a negative double: opener expects both minors, but South can correct any club bid to diamonds without raising the bidding level. A negative double shows a six card suit and a fair hand but not enough to bid the suit immediately. West raises to 3H, which will probably buy the contract undoubled. South leads the King of spades, which appears to cost a trick, but North grabs the Ace of trumps and returns a low spade to signal a club entry. South wins the second trump and leads his higher club (emphasizing the desire for a spade return; when switching suits, don't lead low if you want partner to switch back to another suit.) North wins the Ace, gives South his ruff and South exits with a club, the defense later collecting a trick in each minor for down two.
Getting to slam over a preempt -- Board 16:
West opens 1C, East replies with a strong 2H or 1H if playing weak jump shifts. South takes advantage of the vulnerability to jam the bidding with 3S. This is passed to East; how to proceed? Having jump-shifted, a 4H rebid cannot be mistaken for a complete sign-off, but East might make that bid with a King or so less than his actual 8 trick powerhouse. East knows his side has enough for slam, if a fit exists; and odds are West has at last two hearts. Possible bids are a straight jump to 6H; better would be 4NT RKCB to make sure partner has one key card. Add the ten of hearts to East's hand and I would say that would be the obvious bid. As it is, the heart suit may not play well opposite a singleton or void, and the preempt suggests an increased likelihood of a bad break. Laura Guthrie tried a 4S cue-bid -- clearly forcing, and clearly a slam try, followed by 5H. West should realize Kx of trumps is much better than partner could count on, and with control of both minors including an Ace, should raise to 6H. When partner makes a slam try, don't just count your points -- ask how much partner knows about your hand, and whether your cards are better than could be expected. A player who voluntarily bids to 5 of a major should not be asking about your overall strength, but rather how useful the cards you have are for slam. Viewed in that light West's hand is excellent.
East should bid this way only after deciding that driving to slam without a known fit is too risky; don't torture partner with an undiscussed sequence when the odds favor a direct bid yourself -- "she who knows, goes." I think perhaps East should gamble the slam (after using 4NT) but the risk of a shaky trump suit was significant, and the 4S sequence would clearly be best with a suit like AQxxxx. Basically, use this sort of creative bidding when you are prepared to forgive partner for getting it wrong, not as a method for transferring the blame!
Competition Corner -- Negative double with long suit
Board 13: North has a borderline 1S opening and East a questionable 2H overcall; both have good hands and good spots in their major but topless suits. Assuming both take the agressive action, what does South do with an aceless 10 count and a good 6 card suit? 3D would be a game-forcing bid, committing the side to bid a game or double the opponents. South's hand isn't strong enough for that action. The solution is a negative double: opener expects both minors, but South can correct any club bid to diamonds without raising the bidding level. A negative double shows a six card suit and a fair hand but not enough to bid the suit immediately. West raises to 3H, which will probably buy the contract undoubled. South leads the King of spades, which appears to cost a trick, but North grabs the Ace of trumps and returns a low spade to signal a club entry. South wins the second trump and leads his higher club (emphasizing the desire for a spade return; when switching suits, don't lead low if you want partner to switch back to another suit.) North wins the Ace, gives South his ruff and South exits with a club, the defense later collecting a trick in each minor for down two.
Getting to slam over a preempt -- Board 16:
West opens 1C, East replies with a strong 2H or 1H if playing weak jump shifts. South takes advantage of the vulnerability to jam the bidding with 3S. This is passed to East; how to proceed? Having jump-shifted, a 4H rebid cannot be mistaken for a complete sign-off, but East might make that bid with a King or so less than his actual 8 trick powerhouse. East knows his side has enough for slam, if a fit exists; and odds are West has at last two hearts. Possible bids are a straight jump to 6H; better would be 4NT RKCB to make sure partner has one key card. Add the ten of hearts to East's hand and I would say that would be the obvious bid. As it is, the heart suit may not play well opposite a singleton or void, and the preempt suggests an increased likelihood of a bad break. Laura Guthrie tried a 4S cue-bid -- clearly forcing, and clearly a slam try, followed by 5H. West should realize Kx of trumps is much better than partner could count on, and with control of both minors including an Ace, should raise to 6H. When partner makes a slam try, don't just count your points -- ask how much partner knows about your hand, and whether your cards are better than could be expected. A player who voluntarily bids to 5 of a major should not be asking about your overall strength, but rather how useful the cards you have are for slam. Viewed in that light West's hand is excellent.
East should bid this way only after deciding that driving to slam without a known fit is too risky; don't torture partner with an undiscussed sequence when the odds favor a direct bid yourself -- "she who knows, goes." I think perhaps East should gamble the slam (after using 4NT) but the risk of a shaky trump suit was significant, and the 4S sequence would clearly be best with a suit like AQxxxx. Basically, use this sort of creative bidding when you are prepared to forgive partner for getting it wrong, not as a method for transferring the blame!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thoughts on using 4NT
Hadn't posted in a while; no link to results for this one. A hand posted recently in a bridge discussion group inspired this:
You're dealer and open a standard 1C with x Jxxx Kx AKQJxx . Next hand overcalls 1S, partner bids 2H and your right-hand opponent (RHO) bids 2S. Partner's bid isn't game-forcing in competition, even if you play 2/1 GF normally; you'll lose out on too many part-score battles if partner cannot bid 2H with a nice 11 count. But your hand has only five losers and partner ought to cover three or four of those with his expected 10+ points. You should certainly force to game; what about slam? You can find out everything you need to know about slam with a 4NT Roman Key Card Blackwood bid: you are interested in the three missing aces and the King and Queen of hearts. But partner needs four of those cards for slam, and three to make a five level contract. You cannot be sure partner has three; 4NT isn't safe, sound or sensible. This is a common situation -- if you can suggest slam without forcing the bidding beyond game, trust that partner with a fist full of key cards will drive to slam. Here, bid 3S, a somewhat ambiguous game-force. Partner should initially assume you are asking for a notrump stopper, but when you follow up with 4H it should be clear you are suggesting slam. In some cases you might bid something like 3D; partner will think that's a real suit but again when you follow up with 4H partner should get the message you had more than enough for game. At first glance either 3H or 3C would seem to describe your hand better than 3D or 3S, but you should realize bids in "old" suits might be passed if partner stretched for his 2H call. In general, anytime you go out of your way to throw in an extra bid on the way to game, you are suggesting slam interest.
You're dealer and open a standard 1C with x Jxxx Kx AKQJxx . Next hand overcalls 1S, partner bids 2H and your right-hand opponent (RHO) bids 2S. Partner's bid isn't game-forcing in competition, even if you play 2/1 GF normally; you'll lose out on too many part-score battles if partner cannot bid 2H with a nice 11 count. But your hand has only five losers and partner ought to cover three or four of those with his expected 10+ points. You should certainly force to game; what about slam? You can find out everything you need to know about slam with a 4NT Roman Key Card Blackwood bid: you are interested in the three missing aces and the King and Queen of hearts. But partner needs four of those cards for slam, and three to make a five level contract. You cannot be sure partner has three; 4NT isn't safe, sound or sensible. This is a common situation -- if you can suggest slam without forcing the bidding beyond game, trust that partner with a fist full of key cards will drive to slam. Here, bid 3S, a somewhat ambiguous game-force. Partner should initially assume you are asking for a notrump stopper, but when you follow up with 4H it should be clear you are suggesting slam. In some cases you might bid something like 3D; partner will think that's a real suit but again when you follow up with 4H partner should get the message you had more than enough for game. At first glance either 3H or 3C would seem to describe your hand better than 3D or 3S, but you should realize bids in "old" suits might be passed if partner stretched for his 2H call. In general, anytime you go out of your way to throw in an extra bid on the way to game, you are suggesting slam interest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)