Club News Sheet – No. 205 www.pattayabridge.com 7^th Oct 2006

to news-sheet main page

to Pattaya Bridge home page

Mon 2^nd 1^st N-S Bob P & Ken 55% 2^nd Richard M & Kees 54%

1^st E-W Ivy & Wolfgang 60% 2^nd Bob S & Emil 57%

Wed 4^th 1^st N-S = Bob S & Terry = Alan & Henrik 56% 1^st E-W Bjorn & Knud 59% 2^nd Dave & Jim A 53%

Fri 6^th 1^st Noreen & Kevin Norris 66% 2^nd Bjorn & Knud 61%

Bidding Quiz Standard American is assumed unless otherwise stated.

Hand A Hand B With Hand A it’s both vul and RHO opens 1NT, what do you bid?

♠ QJ932 ♠ 543

♥ AJ9 ♥ 9852 With Hand B partner opens 1♠, what do you bid and what is

♦ J2 ♦ AK your aim?

♣ Q73 ♣ A865

Hand C Hand D With Hand C you open 1♠ and partner bids 1NT, what do you do?

♠ AQJ64 ♠ AQJ876

♥ 106 ♥ KQJ865 With Hand D RHO opens 1♣. (a) What do you bid and

♦ AJ3 ♦ - (b) What do you plan to bid next go?

♣ QJ5 ♣ 3

Bidding Sequences Quiz All of these sequences occurred last week.

E 1NT 2♠ dbl What is the double – negative or penalties?

F 1♣ pass 1♥ pass

1♠ pass 1NT How many points for 1NT?

G 1♠ pass 4♠ What is the raise to game?

H 1NT pass 2♣ dbl What is the double?

J 2♣ pass 2♦ dbl What is the double?

Editorial

I have finally succumbed and obtained a mobile phone, I though it would be a good idea if people could contact me if they are running late. So if you are coming to a session but have been delayed please phone me and your place will be reserved. The number is 0867445386, it’s in the member’s details on the web-site.

But please don’t abuse the system. Habitual late arrivals (the one or two know who they are without me stating their names again) will continue to be turned away if there is already a convenient number.

If you wish to contact me outside bridge days it’s still best to use my home phone (it’s right next to my computer where I spend most of my time) 038 422924.

Dress Code

Respectable shorts/trousers please. A shirt is preferred, although a T-shirt with sleeves is acceptable. Vest-type T-shirts and stringy things are not allowed.

Some visitors came to Pattaya,

but their attire left much to desire.

There was never a doubt

that they would be thrown out

and from the bridge club they had to retire.

Raising partner’s 1NT response to 2NT Board 2 from Friday 6^th

If partner responds 1NT to your opening bid then he is around 6-9. So you need a good hand (about 17-18) to raise to 2NT: -

Dealer: ♠ AQJ64 Table A

West ♥ 106 West North(C) East South

Both vul ♦ AJ3 pass 1♠ pass 1NT

♣ QJ5 pass 2NT (1) pas 3NT

all pass

♠ 102 N ♠ K9875

♥ AJ732 W E ♥ 954 Table B

♦ 107 S ♦ Q62 West North(C) East South

♣ A843 ♣ K7 pass 1♠ pass 1NT

♠ 3 pass pass (1) pass

♥ KQ8

♦ K9854

♣ 10962

Table A: (1) What did you bid with this North hand C in this week’s quiz? This raise to 2NT should show about 17-18 points. This hand is nowhere near and should pass; give partner a 6-count and 2NT will probably go down.

Table B: (1) This North got it right

And what happened? According to deep finesse 7 tricks is the limit for North, but both of the two over-bidding tables made 3NT or 3NT+1. Two tables stopped in the sensible 1NT; one making +1 and one going down one.

The bottom lines: -

A raise of partner’s 1NT response shows about 17-18 points.

Confused by ‘The Law’ Board 8 from Monday 2^nd

The simple version of the Law of Total Tricks says that it is sound to compete to the total number of trumps. But that does not mean that you should immediately bid 3♥/♠ opposite partner’s 1♥/♠ opening when you have less than 10 points but four trumps.

Dealer: ♠ Q8 Table A

West ♥ 1095 West North East South

Love all ♦ K72 1♠ (1) pass (2) 3♠ (3) pass (4)

♣ KQ987 pass pass (5)

♠ J6542 N ♠ A973 Table B

♥ AQ32 W E ♥ K4 West North East South

♦ Q10 S ♦ J8643 pass (1) pass pass 1♣

♣ 53 ♣ 42 pass 3♣ (6) pass 3NT (7)

♠ K10 all pass

♥ J876

♦ A95 Expert Table

♣ AJ106 West North East South

pass pass pass 1♣

pass 2♣ (6) pass 2♦ (8)

pass 3♣ (9) pass pass (10)

pass

Table A: (1) I would never dream of opening this hand – it’s two short for the rule of 20 and the ♠ suit is extremely poor.

(2) A trifle light for a 2-level overcall, but I would not argue with 2♣.

(3) I believe that East was confused here. The correct bid is 2♠ showing 6-10 points and 3 or 4 ♠’s. “The Law” only comes into effect later if the opponents push you, then this hand should bid 3♠ to show the 4^th ♠.

(4) South should not come in here as it’s at the 4-level and he’s in the ‘Sandwich’ seat with an unlimited opener on his left.

(5) And North cannot really balance as it’s at the four level.

Table B: (1) Most players sensibly passed.

(6) With good top cards and intermediates, this hand is worth a limit raise.

(7) It’s only 13 ‘points’ but with great intermediates South considered it worth a shot at game. I would not argue, but I do prefer to play inverted minors: -

‘Expert’ (6) Our experts play inverted minors (the two/three level raises are inverted). So 2♣

Table here shows a minimum of around10 points and is forcing.

(8) After an inverted minor raise, one generally bids stoppers.

(9) North has no major suit stopper to bid.

(10) And with doubtful majors South wisely passes.

And what happened? 3♠ went one down for a near top to N-S. 3♣ is the ‘par’ contract and went one down. 3NT also goes one down.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t open on a hand with 18 for the rule of 20, especially when the long suit is very weak.

- Your first raise of partner’s opening to the 2/3 level shows your strength.

- You only bid more (later) if necessary and then ‘The Law’ applies.

- Of course the above does not apply with pre-emptive raises (or Bergen raises).

- Experienced players should have a look at inverted minors.

You need shape to overcall a strong No Trump Board 10 from Monday 2^nd

When RHO opens a strong 1NT, he is strong! Thus you obviously need shape to make an overcall, especially if vulnerable. A natural overcall should be a 6 card suit and there are conventional overcalls (such as Multi Landy) to show two-suiters.

Dealer: ♠ 8654 Table A

East ♥ K8 West(A) North East South

Both vul ♦ KQ864 - - pass 1NT

♣ AJ 2♠ (1) dbl (2) pass 3♥ (3)

pass 3NT all pass

♠ QJ932 N ♠ 107

♥ AJ9 W E ♥ 10632 Table B

♦ J2 S ♦ 1097 West(A) North East South

♣ Q73 ♣ 9862 - - pass 1NT

♠ AK 2♠ (1) dbl (2) pass pass (3)

♥ Q754 pass

♦ A53

♣ K103

Table A: (1) What did you do with this West hand A in this week’s quiz? With no six card suit and no back-up suit you should simply pass. Overcalling a strong NT with 2♠ is very dangerous, especially vulnerable.

(2) And North doubled for penalties.

(3) Unfortunately South, for some strange reason, thought that it was for take-out.

Table B: (1) Unbelievably, more than one player found this poor overcall on Monday.

(2) And this North also doubled for penalties.

(3) And his partner knew it.

And what happened? 2♠ went three down for 800 to N-S and a total top. At most other tables N-S were in 3NT making 10 or 11 tricks.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t overcall a strong NoTrump with a 5 card suit, especially when vulnerable.

- A double after partner’s 1NT opening has been overcalled is penalties – negative doubles do not apply when it’s a 1NT opening.

You may think it’s cunning and cute

Over 1NT to bid with a 5 card suit.

But the opponents will double

And you’ll be in trouble

And lose all of your partners to boot.

It’s often good to pre-empt 3♣/♦ with a good 6 card suit Board 4 from Monday 2^nd

Although one ex-member disagrees, it is common practice to pre-empt with 3♣/♦ on just a 6 card suit as long as it’s a decent suit. It worked well on this deal: -

Dealer: ♠ AK985

West ♥ AQ5 West North East South

Both vul ♦ J76 3♣ 3♠ all pass

♣ 106

♠ Q104 N ♠ 72

♥ J W E ♥ 9872

♦ 1092 S ♦ AK43

♣ AQJ874 ♣ K52

♠ J65

♥ K10643

♦ Q85

♣ 93

And what happened? 3♠ went one down (and two down at another table). 3♣ by West would have made and so would 3♥ by South (according to Deep Finesse) but it’s impossible to reach after the pre-empt. At three tables North played peacefully in 2♠ to share the N-S top so the pre-empt always gets a good score whatever.

The bottom lines: -

- If you can’t open a weak 2♣/♦, it’s OK to pre-empt 3♣/♦ with a good 6 card minor.

The Championship Races Complete results are in the results folder and on the web.

We currently have 6 people qualified for contention (30 results above 53%) in the Gold Cup:

1 Dave Cutler 1857.4

2 Bob Pelletier 1783.4

3 Michael Guin 1752.9

4 Bill Noe 1745.8

5 Kenneth Johansson 1732.8

6 Phil Lovell 1718.9

The top 10 for the Silver Plate (best 10) and Bronze medal (best 5) as calculated on 6^th Oct are: -

Silver Plate Bronze Medal

1 Dave Cutler 663.4 1 Dave Cutler 338.7

2 Clive Bell 637.8 2 Clive Bell 334.3

3 Bob Pelletier 636.0 3 Bob Short 328.9

4 Bob Short 633.5 4 Bob Pelletier 327.7

5 Hans Bijvoet 624.2 5 Ruth Ibler 327.2

6 Phil Lovell 618.0 6 Jim Wallington 327.1

7 Michael Guin 616.3 7 Hans Bijvoet 325.1

8 Bill Noe 613.1 8 Phil Lovell 323.7

9 Jim Wallington 612.4 9 Tom Grovslien 320.9

10 Jan v Koss 606.9 10 Jan v Koss 317.1
You need 12+ points (or shape) to raise partner’s 1♥/♠ to game Board 2 from Friday 6^th

5 different bidding sequences (from 5 tables) but just one table bid it sensibly.

Dealer: ♠ QJ7 Table A

East ♥ A7 West North East(B) South

N-S vul ♦ J1092 - - pass pass

♣ QJ107 1♠ pass 4♠ (1) all pass

♠ AK1082 N ♠ 543 Table B

♥ Q104 W E ♥ 9852 West North East(B) South

♦ 87 S ♦ AK - - pass pass

♣ K92 ♣ A865 1♠ pass 2♣ (1) pass

♠ 96 2♠ (2) pass 4♠ (3) all pass

♥ KJ63

♦ Q643 Table C

♣ 43 West North East(B) South

- - pass pass

1♠ pass 2♣ (1) pass

2♠ (2) pass 3♠ (3) pass

pass (4) pass

Table A: (1) What did you bid with this East hand B in this week’s quiz? This direct jump to 4♠ is a very poor/lazy bid. It is especially bad opposite a 3^rd seat opener. The direct jump to game should be pre-emptive with (usually) 5 trumps and shape. This hand is nothing like it.

Table B: (1) This East got it right

(2) I think that this is better than the alternative of 2NT. It does not guarantee a 6-card suit playing Standard American.

(3) But having got it right to start with East now considered, for some strange reason, that his hand was worth game.

Table C: (3) This East got it spot on. Bidding 2♣ and then raising to 3♠ shows a sound raise to 3♠ with just 3 card support. That describes this hand exactly.

(4) And with a minimum West obviously passes.

If you 2-way reverse play Drury opposite a 3^rd seat major suit opener, then 2♣ at (1) again happens to be the best bid (it shows a sound raise to 3♠ with just 3 card support) and the partnership would be able to stop in 2♠.

And what happened? 3♠ made exactly for a near top. It was only beaten by one pair who somehow managed to bid to 3NT and make it. Two pairs overbid to 4♠ (both down one) and one West actually passed and got an exact average for the pass-out.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t pass a 12 count with an excellent 5 card major.

- The direct jump to 4♥/♠ over partner’s 1♥/♠ opening is pre-emptive.

- This undistinguished 11 points and 3 miserable trumps is nowhere near worth a raise to game; it is only just about worth a raise to 3♠.

- Be wary of bidding game opposite a 3^rd seat 1♥/♠ opener if your partnership style is to often open light in 3^rd seat. More experienced partnerships may like to take a look at (2-way reverse) Drury.

A Strong Michaels Cue Bid Board 30 from Wednesday 6^th

The Michaels Cue Bid over a minor shows both majors. It is usually weak but can be a very strong playing strength hand: -

Dealer: ♠ - Table A

East ♥ 742 West North East South(D)

Love all ♦ QJ1098762 - - 1♣ dbl (1)

♣ 85 2♣ 5♦ pass 5♥ (2)

pass pass 6♣ 6♠ (3)

♠ 943 N ♠ K1052 pass 7♥ dbl all pass

♥ 109 W E ♥ A3

♦ AK543 S ♦ - Table B

♣ Q94 ♣ AKJ10762 West North East South(D)

♠ AQJ876 - - 1♣ 2♣ (1)

♥ KQJ865 2♦ pass 3♣ 4♥ (4)

♦ - pass pass 5♣ 5♥ (5)

♣ 3 dbl all pass

Table A: I’m not too sure about the bidding at Table A, but South certainly started with a double and subsequently bid 6♠.

(1) What did you bid with this South hand D in this week’s quiz? I do not like to double with two-suited hands. A 1♠ overcall (to be followed by 4♥) is a very sensible alternative but I prefer the choice at Table B.

(2) Now it’s this bid that really led to South’s downfall. As I said, I don’t really like the double but guess that it’s acceptable. Anyway, South now has the rather awkward task of showing his two-suiter at the 5-level and the only way to do that sensibly is to bid the higher ranking (so 5♠) now and then bid ♥’s later if necessary. This 5♥ bid here simply shows a ♥ suit that was too strong to overcall and does not imply a ♥-♠ two-suiter.

(3) And here we see the problem, South has forced partner to give preference at the seven level!

Table B: (1) This South showed his two suits immediately with a Michaels cue Bid.

(4) I play that if a Michaels bidder bids again (3♥) then it shows a game forcing hand. However, I did not know if North realised this and so I bid 4♥. Note that this is totally different from the scenario above in that South has already shown ♠’s and ♥’s and so never has to bid his ♠ suit.

(5) South is pushed to the 5-level, but again there is no need to bid the ♠’s.

And what happened? 5♥ doubled made but even going down one was a good score as 5♣ is making.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t double with two-suited hands.

- The Michaels Cue bid is very specific about the suits, so use it with a very powerful two-suiter as well as with weak ones.

- Bid 5-5’s (and 6-6’s) from the top down…

- … that is unless you have already shown the two suits (with Michaels or whatever) and then you just keep on bidding the cheapest if pushed (partner will correct if necessary).

A Double fit is good Board 2 from Wednesday 4^th

A couple of pairs punted game on a combined 22 points – but how do you sensibly bid it? I have inverted the minor suits for convenience.

Dealer: ♠ K954 Table A

East ♥ Q1042 West North East South

N-S vul ♦ J1083 - pass pass 1NT

♣ 5 pass 2♣ (1) pass 2♠

pass pass (2) pass

♠ A86 N ♠ 107

♥ J97 W E ♥ A863 Table B

♦ 94 S ♦ K7 West North East South

♣ KJ1073 ♣ Q9642 - pass pass 1NT

♠ QJ32 pass 2♣ pass 2♠

♥ K5 pass 3♠ (2) pass 4♠

♦ AQ652 all pass

♣ A8

(1) is “Garbage Stayman” and North would pass a 2♦ response.

But North has a difficult choice at (2) now. Should he pass (correct if South has ♠QJ32 ♥K53 ♦A8 ♣ KQ65) or try for game? The problem is that North has no idea that South is maximum with a superb ♦ fit. Is there a scientific way to bid this hand?

Yes, but it’s really only for more advanced pairs so I have not put it in the news sheets. If you are interested I have put the solution in http://www.pattayabridge.com/NTbookadditions.htm

and it’s all fully described in the No trump bidding book.

And what happened? ½ the field stopped in 2♠ and ½ bid game. Everybody made 11 tricks.

The bottom lines: -

- Assuming that your singleton is usefully opposite a 1NT opener is a sheer gamble. More advanced pairs should use more advanced methods – see Stayman Super-accepts in the NT bidding book(or have a look at where this hand is completely described on the web site).

Bidding Quiz Answers

Hand A: Pass. You need a shapely hand to overcall over a strong No Trump, and if it’s one-suited it needs to be a decent 6-carder, especially vulnerable.

Hand B: 2♣. With the aim of bidding an invitational 3♠ next go (thus showing just 3 ♠’s). An immediate 3♠ is played as 4 card support by most players. 2♣ followed by 4♠ over a minimal rebid by opener is an overbid. An immediate 4♠ is an extremely poor bid as it shows a pre-emptive hand with long ♠’s. The only other decent option is to downgrade the hand (3 miserable trumps and a doubleton AK are poor) and raise to just 2♠.

Hand C: Pass. It’s not good enough for a raise to 2NT which shows about 17-18 points. Just work it out, partner is 6-9 and to invite game with just 15 is asking for a minus.

Hand D: (a) 2♣, Michaels, showing both majors.

(b) 3♥ (or 4♥ if partner does not know that 3♥ is forcing).

There are also a couple of reasonable alternatives:

1- (a) You could overcall 1♠ and then (b) bid 4♥ next go.

2- (a) You could double and then (b) plan to bid ♠’s and then ♥’s. I don’t really like this option and using Michaels and subsequently bidding ♥’s to show the strong hand type is clearly the best way to describe this hand.

Bidding Sequences Quiz Answers

E 1NT 2♠ dbl Penalties. Negative doubles do not apply when partner has opened 1NT

F 1♣ pass 1♥ pass 1NT here is 6-9, exactly the same as if responder had bid

1♠ pass 1NT it first go.

G 1♠ pass 4♠ The direct raise to game is weak and pre-emptive.

H 1NT pass 2♣ dbl The double shows ♣’s and asks for a ♣ lead.

J 2♣ pass 2♦ dbl The double shows ♦’s and asks for a ♦ lead.

The double of any cipher bid shows values in the suit bid and asks for that suit to be led.