Sunday, December 1st 2013

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Board 5 North Deals N-S Vul	♠ A J 10 6 4 ♥ 9 3 2 ♦ J 7 5 ♣ 9 4
♠ K Q 7 5 3 2 ♥ A Q 8 ♦ A Q ♣ A 7	N W E S	♠ — ♥ K J 6 4 ♦ 10 9 3 2 ♣ K Q 5 3 2
	♠ 9 8 ♥ 10 7 5 ♦ K 8 6 4 ♣ J 10 8 6

West opens 2C in fourth seat. This hand is marginal and I considered 1S instead, but figured everyone else would force. East is strong enough for a natural, positive 3C: 8+ hcp and a suit headed by two of the top three honors. (With a stronger hand, the suit might be weaker.) "Steps" bidders, of course, respond 2S (7-9 hcp.) Other players may choose 2D waiting or semi-positive. Since East's suit is marginal and he expects West to bid spades, 2D may be better than 3C. Our auction proceeded 2C-2D; 2S-3C; 3NT-? This suggests six spades; West could've shown a second suit or raised clubs with 5-4 shape, or rebid 2NT on 5332. East decided to pass at this point, despite her extra strength.

If the bidding begins 2C-3C, West shows his spades and East rebids 3NT. West is apt to persist with his control-rich hand, perhaps raising to 4NT -- but would that be quantitative or Blackwood? West may even blast 6NT. As it happens, there aren't enough tricks at notrump or spades. Marty Bergen might like this hand as an example of playing slam in a strong seven-card fit rather than notrump, but 6C needs the diamond finesse and 6H also requires the lucky 3-3 trump split. Another day East's cautious bidding might miss a good slam, but all in all I was happy to land in 3NT.

Board 25 North Deals E-W Vul	♠ 9 2 ♥ Q J 9 7 5 4 ♦ J 6 ♣ Q 8 6
♠ J 10 7 4 ♥ 10 8 6 2 ♦ A K 8 2 ♣ 5	N W E S	♠ A Q 6 5 ♥ A ♦ 7 5 ♣ A J 9 7 3 2
	♠ K 8 3 ♥ K 3 ♦ Q 10 9 4 3 ♣ K 10 4

North's hand isn't my idea of a weak two, but I'm sure many opened it based on the favorable vulnerability. Actually, I would consider opening 3H but the scattered side honors might deter me. Over 2H East must decide between 3C and double-then-bid-clubs. The problem is that partner is likely to bid diamonds over the double and the hand is really not worth driving to the 4C level.

If North passes East has an easy 1C opening; South overcalls 1D, and West doubles to show both majors. (This is the only negative double that actually promises two suits.) East jumps to 3S to show his great playing strength and West raises to game. I can't see reaching slam on these cards.

At our table North opened 2H, East bid 3C and South bid 3H. With only an 8-card fit I'd rather let my vulnerable opponents play at the three level. Over 3H East made the mistake of repeating clubs; 3S would've fetched game, another risk of South's bidding.