Sunday March 8th, 2015

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Board 12 West Deals N-S Vul	♠ 9 4 ♥ A 10 9 ♦ 8 ♣ A K Q 9 6 4 3
♠ A K Q J 8 7 3 ♥ 4 ♦ A 10 7 5 3 ♣ —	N W E S	♠ 10 5 2 ♥ K Q 5 3 ♦ Q 4 ♣ 10 8 7 5
	♠ 6 ♥ J 8 7 6 2 ♦ K J 9 6 2 ♣ J 2

West has 8 solid and 9 or 10 likely tricks along with excellent controls, so a 2C opening is plausible; on the other hand with only 14 hcp and such a shapely hand 1S is unlikely to be passed out. For slam almost all that matters is what partner has in diamonds. Opening 2C may lead partner to overbid based on heart and club values; I would expect a hand like x Kxxx xxx AKxxxx to head for slam after 2C. The auction opposite that hand might proceed 2C-3C; 3S-3NT and opener has to choose between bidding diamonds or insisting on spades.

Over West's 1S North counts eight winners; a jump to 3S asks partner to bid 3NT with any sort of spade stopper. What about diamonds? No one has bid them; partner may have length or a stopper or they may not lead the suit. It's worth the gamble to score a game. East may double to show support; I'm not a fan of that treatment but I'm not really sure what the best use of double in this sequence might be. Assuming East passes South, lacking the requested stopper, bids 4C. Partner has not asked for a suit and South can be fairly sure North has long, solid clubs. Whatever the sequnce up to this point (North may simply bid clubs, East may double, South may bid a red suit) West undoubtedly rebids 4S. North has too many losers to risk 5C and so 4S should end the bidding. If North or South does compete to 5C, E/W should double but I doubt if I would in either position; West, especially, appears to have a high offense/low defense hand unsuitable for defending. Most declarers managed 11 tricks but that looks difficult without the Ace of hearts lead.

Board 13 North Deals Both Vul	♠ A J 5 ♥ 9 6 4 ♦ 7 ♣ K J 10 9 4 2
♠ K 8 7 ♥ Q 3 ♦ K Q J 9 8 5 2 ♣ 7	N W E S	♠ 9 4 2 ♥ 10 8 5 ♦ A 10 3 ♣ 8 6 5 3
	♠ Q 10 6 3 ♥ A K J 7 2 ♦ 6 4 ♣ A Q

North has a fine weak two opening, but few pairs have that bid available in clubs. Not vulnerable I would certainly open 3C; with both vulnerable I'd open 3C anyway, based on the sturdy suit. This is technically unsound but I think worth the risk at matchpoints.

South counts on North for six playing tricks at equal vulnerability; the AK of spades and AQ of clubs should add four, and there are several chances for another, so it looks reasonable to head for game. Standard methods treat a new suit by responder as forcing, so South can bid 3H on the way. I'm sure some West bid diamonds but with only six or seven playing tricks the risk vs. reward looks poor -- they've already bid their suits and bidding simply gives them the option to double if their cards fit poorly. Whether West bids or passes North raises to 4H. This should end the bidding and South should finish +650 -- there's no obvious reason to guess the hearts correctly.

Board 21 North Deals N-S Vul	♠ 8 3 ♥ A Q 7 2 ♦ K J 7 6 2 ♣ J 8
♠ A ♥ K 9 8 5 4 ♦ Q 8 5 ♣ 10 5 3 2	N W E S	♠ Q 9 7 5 2 ♥ 10 6 3 ♦ 10 9 4 3 ♣ 9
	♠ K J 10 6 4 ♥ J ♦ A ♣ A K Q 7 6 4

North has a borderline "Goren 13" or "Rule of 20" opening; I would pass based on the doubtful Jx in clubs and and an awkward rebid -- if partner responds 1S, 1NT is probably best but partner may overbid expecting 12 to 14 hcp.

South can open in either clubs or spades. If the opponents keep quiet 1C followed by bidding spades twice will suggest the 5-6 shape; but all too often West will leap in a red suit and East may be able to raise. Today's hand, however, will have no qualms about bidding spades at the four level if necessary so I would open 1C, aiming for the most likely slam. If the suits were reversed I would open 2C but that opening crowds the bidding too much when you have a two-suiter where the longer suit is a minor.

North responds 1D or 1H and South forces to game with a 2S jump rebid. North continues with 2NT (no need to guess 3NT at this point) allowing South to rebid the spades. North has extra values but his strength is opposite partner's shortness. 3NT looks best and South has no reason to argue, having shown his shape and strength. North should finish with eleven or twelve tricks depending on a spade guess.

Board 27 South Deals None Vul	♠ K 7 5 4 3 ♥ A 10 9 7 3 ♦ 8 7 4 ♣ —
♠ — ♥ K Q 8 ♦ 10 9 ♣ A K Q J 9 8 6 2	N W E S	♠ A Q 8 6 ♥ J 6 5 2 ♦ A 3 ♣ 5 4 3
	♠ J 10 9 2 ♥ 4 ♦ K Q J 6 5 2 ♣ 10 7

South has a fine suit to open 2D or even 3D; the only drawback is the possibility of missing a spade fit. That could be costly, but I think the odds favor diamonds being the best place to play; I would opt for 2D. Basically I hate to pass such a good suit. What should West bid? With most of my partners I would try 3D, asking partner to bid 3NT with a stopper. (We specify Michaels applies only at the two or four level.) Lacking that agreement, West can try 3C (hoping partner can bid 3NT) or 5C. There's not much point to 4C; if partner has no help then N/S probably have game. Over 3C North competes with 3D and East bids 3NT, making ten tricks on a diamond lead and twelve if South tries a spade instead.

If South passes, West opens 1C. Even if the suit were a major I would open at the one level, planning to leap to game next; this hand has plenty of tricks but lacks the controls expected of a 2C opening. North bids 2C, Michaels, and East doubles to show a fair defensive hand, about 10+ hcp, generally balanced. You can think of the 2C bid as being for takeout and the double as equivalent to a redouble. South bids some number of spadess; does 2C promise at least 5-5? Not vulnerable over a minor it is common to allow 5-4 since partner can get out at the two level. Despite East's double I would leap to 3S with South's hand, expecting to set up diamond tricks.

Given more bidding room West might bid hearts to show his stopper there, hoping partner can stop spades. It is a common agreement that when the opponents have bid or shown two suits bidding one of them shows a stopper there. Another possibility would be to jump in spades, suggesting shortness. Or West can simply gamble 6C, perhaps using 4NT to confirm partner has at least one Ace. I decided to blast 6C; North led his Ace but switched when I dropped the King. South could plausibly have had Qxx in hearts so this falsecard may work. Given the bidding and dummy, however, no shift looks better than continuing with the ten of hearts.

Board 30 East Deals None Vul	♠ — ♥ J 10 8 ♦ K Q 10 9 7 2 ♣ A 5 4 2
♠ A K 10 6 5 3 ♥ A Q 5 ♦ 6 ♣ 9 8 3	N W E S	♠ Q J 9 8 7 2 ♥ K 7 ♦ A 8 3 ♣ K 7
	♠ 4 ♥ 9 6 4 3 2 ♦ J 5 4 ♣ Q J 10 6

East opens 1S, much to West's surprise. West might bid a Jacoby 2NT or, playing splinters, 4D. That shows an opening bid with four (or more!) trumps and a singleton or void in diamonds; this allows East to plan on ruffing two diamonds in dummy. East's minimum 13 improves dramatically. Figuring partner for at least 11 hcp outside of diamonds, however, gives only 20 out of 30 hcp, so there could be two losers. The extra trumps should make the five level fairly safe, however, and it's hard to construct a hand for partner that does not include two key cards. East bids 4NT and proceeds to slam over the two ace or three key card reply. Alternatively, East might control bid 4H, but West will be reluctant to proceed with three possible club losers. Four of nine pairs bid this excellent slam.

Sunday, March 1st 2015

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

West opens 1C; East responds 1H. West has a nice club suit but the hand is, at best, on the high side of a minimum -- 14 hcp including a stiff Queen. West rebids 2C and 3NT by East should end the bidding. South leads a fourth-best spade for lack of anything better, but that allows declarer to risk the diamond finesse for at least +660. The recap shows 6C making but I see no obvious line for that.

Board 8 West Deals None Vul	♠ J 10 9 7 ♥ K 10 ♦ J 8 ♣ A K 10 8 6
♠ 8 3 ♥ A 7 6 4 2 ♦ K Q ♣ J 4 3 2	N W E S	♠ Q 5 ♥ Q 9 8 5 3 ♦ 9 6 5 2 ♣ 9 5
	♠ A K 6 4 2 ♥ J ♦ A 10 7 4 3 ♣ Q 7

North opens 1C; South responds 1S, planning to rebid in diamonds. West does not have a sound overcall but at matchpoints I'm sure 2H was a popular choice. North raises spades. East can assume N/S have the values for 4S; there seems little point in bidding 4H and there isn't enough shape to justify sacrificing at 5H. South should clearly bid game; might there be enough for slam? Try visualizing: opener might have Qxxx xxx x AKJxx, for example. You don't want to assume such perfect cards but it reasonable to make some sort of slam try. One possibility would be a 4H self-splinter; a jump by opener could by agreement show shortage since with a 5-5 hand South could bid and rebid hearts, but I wouldn't risk 4H here without prior agreement. 3D initially sounds like a game try, but that's OK -- if partner accepts by bidding 4S then South can continue beyond game. North has four trumps (opener may sometimes raise with only 3), can ruff a diamond and has nice clubs, but the hand is minimum in high cards. North makes a "counter-try" of 3H, suggesting South bid game if values in hearts will be useful. This does little for South opposite the singleton so South settle for game. Twelve tricks seems to require the 2-2 spade split, finessing in clubs and finding the Ace of hearts with West.

Board 22 East Deals E-W Vul	♠ K J 10 7 3 ♥ — ♦ K Q 10 8 7 4 ♣ K 3
♠ A Q ♥ A K Q 10 7 6 ♦ A 5 ♣ Q 9 8	N W E S	♠ 9 2 ♥ J 8 4 ♦ J 6 3 ♣ A J 10 7 5
	♠ 8 6 5 4 ♥ 9 5 3 2 ♦ 9 2 ♣ 6 4 2

West opens 2C in third seat; North should come alive with his strong 6-5 hand and the favorable vulnerability. 3D to start with followed by spade bids up to 4S looks right. What are you agreements over interference? The classic approach would be double for penalty, pass for weakness, bids natural and forcing to game; East should bid with about six hcp and a fair suit rather than be shut completely out. This is a queen or so lighter than the usual slam-positive response without interference. A more "scientific" scheme would be double = 0-3 hcp, pass = 4-6, bid with 7+; this gives up the ability to specifically suggest a good hand for defense in exchange for better definition of strength. In any case, pass looks best here -- East does not want to bid 4C and pass up 3NT, nor is it clear to double for penalty. Pass is 100% forcing -- we don't allow them to play a contract undoubled after our 2C. South has nothing to say; West would double with a more balanced hand but here it must be right to bid hearts. North continues with 3S or, better, 4S. Over 3S East will support hearts and then double if North bids again. Over 4S East must guess whether to bid 5 or double North. It seems unlikely E/W will bid slam unless East has the opportunity to bid clubs, and even so 12 tricks depends on the club finesse.

Board 27 South Deals None Vul	♠ J 5 2 ♥ 6 ♦ 10 9 7 4 3 ♣ A 10 7 5
♠ K Q 9 4 3 ♥ J 9 ♦ J 6 5 ♣ 6 4 3	N W E S	♠ 8 7 6 ♥ 8 7 2 ♦ A 8 2 ♣ J 9 8 2
	♠ A 10 ♥ A K Q 10 5 4 3 ♦ K Q ♣ K Q

South opens 2C and North responds according to system, 2D negative (0-7), 2D waiting (0+), 2D semi-positive (promising at least King or perhaps two Queens, forcing to game) or 2H (steps, 4-6 hcp, forcing to game.) South has ten tricks in hand but need not jump -- a new suit by the 2C opener is forcing. Possible auctions:

2C-2D (negative, waiting or semi-positive)
3H-4C  
4D-4H
pass

Opener sets the suit and asks for cue-bidding, then makes one more try with 4D, but should pass over 4H trusting that responder would continue with a better hand, such as the King of spades along with the Ace of clubs.

2C-2H (4-6 hcp)
3H-3NT
?

The steps response crowds the bidding, as it often does, but also lets opener know that responder cannot have both an Ace and a King or two Aces. Slam, then, requires something like AJx in either minor. This would be hard to diagnose; I would give up on slam unless I hoped for a swing such as in a team game against better opponents.

Three pairs (including mine) overbid to slam; one more stopped at 5H despite missing only one key card. As always, the most important question is "Do we have 12 tricks?" Only after establishing that does it makes sense to ask "Do we have two likely losers?", which Blackwood or Key Card attempts to answer.

RKCB theory question:
If you play RKCB (regular or 1430), what do you make of this auction: 2C-2H (steps); 4NT ? In standard methods the equivalent auction 2C-2D; 4NT would NOT be any form of Blackwood; opener has merely shown a huge balanced hand with 28-30 hcp, too strong to rebid 3NT. Playing steps, however, the 2H response creates a game force, so a 28-30 hand could simply rebid 2NT, then surprise partner by continuing over a game bid. My partner intended this as RKCB for hearts, the "last suit bid", but as 2H was artificial I did not assume such. There could be a problem setting hearts before asking, however; a jump in hearts would be to game and sound like a sign-off. There is some logic in this sequence to using 4NT to ask about hearts, but don't try this without discussing it first. I think a better solution would be to agree that when the 2C bidder bids a suit and immediately follows with 4NT, it asks about his suit, not "last suit." Example: 2C-2S (7-9); 3H-3S (both natural); 4NT. Since there is no room for opener to set either major as trumps before using 4NT, which will be more useful? With hearts as trumps the King and Queen of spades may not be important; but if spades are trumps the King and Queen of hearts, filling in opener's suit, are still apt to matter. So it could make sense to agree that 4NT asks about hearts but opener could be planning to play in either suit.

Some players avoid all this by using regular Blackwood unless a suit has clearly been agreed.

Wednesday February 11th, 2015

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

After two passes, West opens 1D and East responds 1S. While 3NT looks tempting, there could still be game or slam in hearts or diamonds; West rebids 2H, a strength-showing reverse. If you haven't discussed the bidding after a reverse, however, or if partner has not agreed reverses are 100% forcing, I have more sympathy for 3NT. Two basic styles exist over reverses: most bids are weak and can be passed; stronger hands must jump, bid a game or bid the fourth suit; or, all suit bids at the three level are forcing, weaker hands must rebid at the two level, and therefore 2NT may be artificial -- an application of lebensohl.

East may simply bid 3NT but there could be slam in diamonds, especially if partner has a fitting honor in spades along with short clubs. 3D, however, even if forcing, risks missing 3NT. Playing lebensohl I like 2NT, planning to sign off at 3NT if partner bids the expected 3C but reconsidering if partner rebids 3S or 3D. Here, West rebids 3NT; this suggests extra values along with something in clubs which reduces the likely value of the spade honors so I think East can reasonably pass.

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

What should South open? I would never open 2C with the intention of rebidding in diamonds; that sequence should promise a six-card suit and more playing strength. South's hand is nowhere close to "a trick short of game" in diamonds or even notrump. So the choice is between 1D, with game fairly unlikely if partner passes, and treating the hand as balanced. As a balanced hand I would rate this about 21.5; all in all I don't think we'll miss game if partner passes 2NT. But 2NT practically gives up on a diamond slam so I would simply open 1D and force to game if partner responds.

North responds 1S; does East bid? This is very light for a vulnerable, two level overcall; at a team game the result could easily lose a match. But I'd hate not to mention such a powerful suit and at matchpoints 2C for a lead is appealing. South ought to hammer that but in the modern style few pairs would treat a double here as penalties, and in any case North would be reluctant to defend with concealed four-card diamond support. South may simply blast 3NT; I would prefer 2H as there might be game there or even slam in either red suit. North must make a forward-going bid; playing lebensohl over reverses, 3D should be forcing, while a weaker hand would bid 2NT first. Not playing lebensohl North should bid 3C to show a good hand unsure of where to play.

South has roughly an Ace more than minimum reversing strength; but any move beyond 3NT risks missing the best game. At a team game it would be OK to land at 5D but at matchpoints 3NT looks like the practical bid. West leads a club and East either grabs his two tricks or puts in the ten, hoping partner has an entry and can continue the suit.

If South opens 2C or 2NT, I would expect a Stayman auction, with East doubling for a club lead. East can now place South will all the cards and salvage some matchpoints by taking his King and Ace.

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

North opens 1H; while the modern style is to open 1NT with many hands in the 15-17 range, a five card major with a side four-card suit is pushing things too far. North has an easy rebid in clubs over any response. East preempts, either 3S or 4S. The shape and vulnerability favor the more aggressive bid but keep in mind you are highly unlikely to play 3S doubled and very likely to be doubled at 4S. Still, 4S might stampede them to the five level or interfere with slam exploration so I think it's worth the risk.

South was mulling 1H-or-1NT and is quite surprised by the bidding. With control of spades and the big fit, South should push toward slam. Most partners would take 4NT as Blackwood or Key card, and that appears to be the consensus of experts (per Bridge World Standard.) North shows two Aces or Key Cards and South bids 6H. Unfortunately the mirror shape and bad club split strands declarer with two club losers even if East does not give partner a ruff. This is a slam everyone ought to bid and go down in -- that's bridge!

Sunday, January 25th, 2015

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Board 15 South Deals N-S Vul	♠ Q J 10 8 7 ♥ A 7 4 3 ♦ Q J ♣ 3 2
♠ 6 ♥ J 10 9 5 2 ♦ K 10 8 7 5 ♣ 9 6	N W E S	♠ K 5 2 ♥ Q 8 6 ♦ 9 6 ♣ J 10 8 7 4
	♠ A 9 4 3 ♥ K ♦ A 4 3 2 ♣ A K Q 5

South has 20 hcp but relatively little playing strength until a fit is located; 2C would certainly be an overbid. With a singleton King, many would opt for 2NT*, but I prefer a simple 1C -- we probably aren't missing game if that gets passed out. If the partnership style is to generally ignore diamonds if a major suit is available over 1C, I would recommend opening 1D, otherwise you might miss slam in that strain.

North responds 1S and South can bounce to game or try to portray his strength and shape to explore for slam. South is definitely not strong enough to push the bidding beyond 4S on his own. South might splinter (4H) if that's in the arsenal, but as I would make the same bid without the King of hearts I don't think that describes the hand as well as the simple jump to 4S. Only one pair bid this slam which needs (and gets) one of two finesses. South might reverse (1C-1S-2D) or jump shift (1D-1S-3C) before supporting spades; that would be my choice if the King of hearts were, say, in spades. Note that 1x-1S-4S is NOT a weak, preemptive or "shut-out" bid; having opened the bidding, South cannot have such a hand, and 4S denotes a strong hand. If South splinters or bids both minors before supporting spades, North should drive to slam.

*The ACBL does not allow an agreement to open 1NT or 2NT with a singleton (under the General Convention Chart), but players are allowed to deviate from their agreements. However, doing so twice with the same partner appears to constitute an implicit and therefore illegal agreement. Personally, I never open 1NT or 2NT with a singleton but have overcalled in notrump with such hands for lack of a better alternative. On one recent hand LHO opened 1D and I held A AKxx AQ109xx xx . What would you bid? I opted for 1NT as the least misdescriptive call.

Board 16 West Deals E-W Vul	♠ Q 7 2 ♥ Q 2 ♦ K 9 7 6 ♣ A Q J 5
♠ 10 ♥ K J 9 8 7 ♦ Q J 4 3 ♣ K 7 6	N W E S	♠ 9 6 4 3 ♥ 10 6 5 ♦ 10 8 5 2 ♣ 10 9
	♠ A K J 8 5 ♥ A 4 3 ♦ A ♣ 8 4 3 2

North opens a minor; the classic advice is to open 1D with 4-4 to prepare a club rebid, but when the hand is suitable for a notrump rebid or three-card raise I have no intention of bidding both minors and prefer to open 1C in an up-the-line style. If partner responds 1H I'll rebid 1NT; over 1S it's close between 1NT and 2S; I would prefer either to the sequence 1D-1S-2C where we may play a 4-3 or 4-2 minor "fit" rather than notrump or spades.

South responds with 1S or a strong jump to 2S. Some possible sequences:
1C-2S; 2NT-3C; 3S; 4NT-5D; 6C or 6S. At clubs, the spades can be used to pitch hearts, but an opening heart lead will require the clubs to come in so it is not clear that the 4-4 fit provides much of an advantage on this layout.

Against 6S West does not expect partner to have anything useful and fears blowing a trick with nay lead but a trump; this might solve a problem for declarer but every lead looks risky. South plays two rounds of trumps and notes the bad split. As I played the hand I thought I was giving myself a chance to pitch either a club or heart as needed, but on review here I don't think I would've succeeded against 4-1 split in both black suits. Well, maybe: four rounds of trumps, club finesse, Ace of diamonds, club finesse. If East shows out, ruff a diamond with the last trump -- you still have control of every suit. Now low to the Queen of hearts -- but if West hops up with the King there's no entry left to enjoy both the Queen and Ace of hearts.

Board 20 West Deals Both Vul	♠ K 10 9 7 ♥ K Q J 10 8 2 ♦ K ♣ 9 5
♠ 3 ♥ 7 6 3 ♦ J 8 7 ♣ A K Q 8 3 2	N W E S	♠ A 4 ♥ A 9 4 ♦ A Q 6 4 3 ♣ J 7 6
	♠ Q J 8 6 5 2 ♥ 5 ♦ 10 9 5 2 ♣ 10 4

West opens either 1C or 3C. Vulnerable, with virtually nothing outside of clubs, I prefer the preempt, but nothing is ideal. I wouldn't dream of passing such a lovely suit. North overcalls (1H or 3H) and if East trusts partner to note the vulnerability 3NT looks like a reasonable shot. South leads a major; East might hold up once in hearts but should win the first spade or second heart and run the clubs. When the King of diamonds pops up East claims +660.