Club News Sheet – No. 211    www.pattayabridge.com        18th Nov 2006

 

       
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Mon 13th      1st N-S     Phil & Tomas                 56%         2nd    Eddie & Royd                56%

                    1st E-W    Derek & Gerard             63%         2nd    Knud & Per-Ake           59%

Wed 15th      1st N-S     Lewis & Terry                56%         2nd    Eddie & Royd                53%

                    1st E-W    Bob S & Paul K             63%         2nd    Derek & Gerard             61%      

Fri 17th         1st N-S     Phil & Tomas                 60%         2nd    Paul Biscoe & Eddie       50%

                    1st E-W    Peter Lux & Terry          63%         2nd    Derek & Gerard             61%

 

Bidding Quiz                           Standard American is assumed unless otherwise stated.

 

Hand A           Hand B           With Hand A it’s love all. What do you open as dealer?

 

AQJ10865    93

53                 AKJ872       With Hand B partner opens 1NT and you transfer with 2.

J7                  104               Partner obediently bids 2, what do you bid now?

84                K52

                       

Hand C           Hand D           With Hand C you are dealer at unfavourable vulnerability.

What, if anything, do you open?

107               A86543

KQJ865       A10              With Hand D you open 1 and partner responds 1NT, what do

A2                K86              you bid?

852              AK

 

Hand E            Hand F            What do you open with Hand E in first seat?

                                                               

J75               A5               

KQ9864       KQ               With Hand F (a) What do you open?

AJ4               K543            (b) Suppose you open 1 and partner responds 1, what now?

2                  AQ963        

 

Hand G           Hand H           What do you open with Hand G?

 

QJ7654        AK7

63                 Q53              With Hand H you open 2 and partner responds 2, waiting.

-                    AKQJ74       What do you bid now?

QJ1074        A                                               

 

                                                                       

                                                     

                                                     


Bidding Sequences Quiz       

                   

J      1      3      3                    3 is weak, is 3 forcing?

K     1NT   pass   2      pass       What is 4?

2      pass   4

L      1NT   pass   2     pass       What is 4NT?

2      pass   4NT

M    1      pass   1NT   pass       How strong is 3? Is it forcing?

3     

N     1NT   pass   2      pass       What is 2NT? Is it forcing?

2      pass   2NT

P      1NT   pass   2      pass       What is 3NT?

2      pass   3NT

Q     1NT   pass   2      pass       What is 3? Is it forcing?

2      pass   3

R     1NT   pass   2      pass       What is 4?

2      pass   4

 

 

Editorial

 

Late Arrivals. Having written about late arrivals just last week, we had no less that three people turn up after 1.00 p.m. Monday 13th. Play had already started and I will not change a movement/boards to accommodate late arrivers; but fortunately for them we had a 9 table Mitchell and I did not need to change any boards to accommodate the 10th table.

But be warned, this is an exception; and Dave told me that he would not have let them play had it been a Wednesday. The solution really is simple – aim to turn up about 15 minutes before play starts (1.00 prompt). In England that is just being polite; and despite the fact that we’re in Thailand now, Dave and I still retain our basic English manners. The Thai way of turning up 10 minutes late and saying ‘mai-pen-rai’ or “TIT” simply does not work with us.

If you are unavoidably detained and know that you will be a few minutes late then you may call my mobile on 0867445386 and I may reserve a place. This does not apply to consistent late arrivers like Albert, Henrik and a few others (names - OK Dennis?) who have run out of acceptable excuses for their habitual tardiness and will be (and have been in the past) turned away when late if it is not convenient.

 

Passed Out. The laws of bridge state that a passed-out hand should not be re-dealt. However, Pattaya bridge club is a friendly club and people come to play bridge, not sit around waiting. So on Wednesdays (when the boards are dealt at the table) a board should be re-dealt if it is passed out the first time it is played. This does not apply on Mondays or Fridays when the boards are pre-dealt by computer and I set the parameters to ensure that at least one player has 12 points or more.

 


The Bridge Club Championship Races

 

The current standings for all competitions are in the results folder and on the web-site. There was a lot of movement this week. The results had a big change when Bob Short finally got his 30th result in to qualify for the Gold Cup and leapt into 3rd place, close on Bob Pelletier’s heels. And Phil continues to do well, overtaking Mike in the Gold cup but remaining in 4th place due to Bob’s gigantic leap.

 

We currently have 7 people qualified for contention (30 results above 53%) in the Gold Cup:

 

1                                  Dave Cutler                        1861.5

2                                  Bob Pelletier                       1795.8

3                                  Bob Short                          1784.3

4                                  Phil Lovell                                               1762.6

5                                  Michael Guin                      1759.1

6                                  Bill Noe                              1747.5

7    Kenneth Johansson                                           1739.0

 

The top standings for the Silver Plate (best 10) and Bronze medal (best 5) are as follows. For clarity I have removed Dave, Bob P and Bob S who are currently in the top 3 positions of the Gold Cup.

 

Silver Plate                                                       Bronze Medal

     

4                                  Clive Bell                      637.8                           2          Clive Bell          334.3

5                                  Phil Lovell                    633.4                           5          Phil Lovell        328.5

6                                  Hans Bijvoet                 624.2                           6          Ruth Ibler         327.2

7                                  Derek & Gerard           623.7                           7          Jim Wallington  327.1

8                                  Alan Purdy                   617.4                           8          Lewis Berg       325.6

9                                  Michael Guin                616.3                           9          Hans Bijvoet     325.1

10                                Lewis Berg                   615.6                           10        Alan Purdy       322.7


Bid that 7 card major                   Board 14 from Monday 13th   

 

There was some ‘strange bidding’ here at Table B: -

 

Dealer:             93                                               Table A

East                  AKJ872                                     West          North         East(A)    South

Love all            104                                             -                 -                 3    (1)    pass (2)

                        K52                                           pass           4    (3)      all pass            

           

4                        N             AQJ10865            Table B

1094               W    E          53                         West          North(B)    East(A)    South    

A98532              S              J7                         -                 -                 pass (1)    1NT (4)

QJ9                                    84                        pass           2              pass (5)    2

                        K72                                            pass           3    (6)      pass         3NT (7)

Q6                                              pass           4    (8)      all pass    

KQ6                                         

A10763                                     

 

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you open with this East hand A in this week’s quiz? 3 really is fairly clear but I would not argue with 4♠.

(2)   This South hand has a stop but it’s not good enough for 3NT.

(3)   But in the balancing seat North can bid. With a six card major, 4 is much better than double.

Table B:     (1)  This East did not open 3; pass would never occur to me.

(4)   A bit light for a strong NT but it does have a reasonable 5 card suit.

(5)   East again failed to bid his ’s.

(6)   What did you bid with this North hand B in this week’s quiz? North thought that 3 was forcing. It is not; it shows a 6 card suit with invitational values. 4 is the correct bid.

(7)   South (correctly as it turns out) did not trust his bidding partner.

(8)   And this demonstrated the futility of bidding a ‘forcing?’ 3 last go. If you are going to convert 3NT into 4 anyway then bid 4 straight away with game values.

 

And what happened? Obviously most tables started with a 3 opening. 4 pairs found the good 4; 3 was passed out once and doubled once (both good for E-W) and there were the usual spurious results.

The bottom lines: - 

-         With a good 7 card suit and 8 points, open with a three level pre-empt.

-         Sequence Q, 1NT - 2 - 2 - 3 is invitational and may be passed.

-     Be sure you understand sequences N, P, Q and R to invite/bid game having transferred.


A great 18 opposite a 1NT response is worth game                    Board 22 from Monday 13th  

 

Only ½ of the field reached the easy 4 with these N-S cards: -

 

Dealer:             KQ                                             Table A

East                  974                                             West          North         East(C)    South(D)

E-W vul           J74                                              -                 -                 pass (1)    1

                        J10943                                       pass           1NT           pass         4    (2)

all pass      

J92                    N             107                      

32                   W    E          KQJ865               Table B     

Q10953              S              A2                       West          North         East(C)    South

Q76                                   852                      -                 -                 2    (1)    dbl   (3)

                        A86543                                      pass           3             pass         3    (4) 

A10                                            pass           4    (5)      all pass    

K86                                          

AK                                            

 

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you open with this East hand C in this week’s quiz? I do not allow a ‘gap’ between a 1 and a 2 opener. With a 6 card major if it’s too good for a weak two then I open one. At this vulnerability 2 looks right to me.

                  (2)  What did you bid with this South hand D in this week’s quiz? This is a really good 18 count (good top cards and a 6-card major). I think it’s worth more than 3 and bid 4.

Table B:     (1)  This East correctly opened 2

(3)  This hand is too strong for a simple 2 overcall. 3 is probably the best bid as long as partner understands that it’s a strong bid. The ‘safer’ route is to double and then bid ’s.

(4)   So this shows a strong hand.

(5)   And North has an easy raise to game.

 

And what happened? Five pairs bid 4, four pairs missed it.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Do not have a ‘gap’. With a good 6 card major suit and 10 points do not pass, open with a two level pre-empt or else a one level bid if you think it’s too strong for a pre-empt.

-         18 points and a six card suit is too strong for the invitational sequence M: 1 - 1NT - 3.


Don’t bid again having pre-empted                     Board 8 from Monday 13th  

 

A good 11 points really is far too good for the pre-empt found at Table B: -

 

Dealer:             Q643                                          Table A

West                52                                               West(E)     North         East          South

Love all            KQ1053                                     1    (1)      pass           2           pass

                        96                                              2              pass           3NT         all pass

       

J75                    N             K8                        Table B

KQ9864         W    E          J3                         West(E)     North         East          South    

AJ4                     S              987                      2   (1)      pass           2    (2)    pass

2                                        AKQJ84               2    (3)      pass           pass         2    (4)

                        A1092                                        pass           pass           3            pass

A107                                          pass           3              pass         pass

62                                              4    (5)      all pass

10753                                       

 

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you open with this West hand E in this week’s quiz? I think that it’s far too good for a weak 2 (or via multi or whatever). It has good shape, points in the long suit and conforms to the rule of 20. For me it’s a clear 1 opener.

Table B:     (1)  This West chose to open a form of multi which included a weak 2.

(2)  Waiting.

(3)   Showing a weak 2 opener.

(4)   Balancing.

(5)   West’s hand appears to have improved with the opponents bidding ’s (hopefully partner has a singleton). But it’s breaking the golden rule of not bidding again having pre-empted. 3 is not going to make.

 

And what happened? 4 went one down at Table B and at all but one tables where it was bid. 3NT by East is an excellent spot. It was bid just twice, making +430 and +490 the two times it was bid.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Open hands that conform with the rule of 20 with a one level bid, not a pre-empt.

-         Do not bid again having pre-empted.

-         If you feel that your hand is worth another bid having opened with a pre-empt, then you probably should not have pre-empted to start with or else pre-empted one level higher.


When your hand improves                                   Board 21 from Wednesday 15th  

 

An interesting board. Both sides made a grand slam!

 

Dealer:             QJ7654                                      Table A

North               63                                               West          North(G)    East          South

N-S vul            -                                                  -                 2    (1)      3            pass (2)

                        QJ1074                                      4              all pass

       

K8                     N             A10932                Table B

Q874              W    E          AKJ105               West          North(G)    East          South    

A108742            S              QJ6                      -                 pass (1)      1            2   (3)

6                                        -                           2    (3)      4   (4)      4            5

                        -                                                 5              6   (5)      dbl   (6)    pass (7)

92                                              

K953                                        

AK98532                                  

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you open with this North hand G in this week’s quiz? 2 is obviously acceptable but I don’t like it as the suit is lost. I was North at table B.

(2)  And here we see the problem - 4 really is too high at unfavourable vulnerability opposite a partner who has pre-empted.

Table B:     (1)  I chose to pass and maybe get a chance to show both my suits later (with Michaels or a double or whatever). I think that pass is the best answer to question G.

(3)  And this time South has no problem showing his ’s at the two level.

(4)   Of course I was going higher, North’s hand has improved immensely with the bidding. But I knew that both South and West were short in ’s and the bidding would not die.

(5)   Prepared to bid this all along.

(6)   With three apparent top tricks and a partner who has bid at the three level East chose to double the vulnerable opponents.

(7)   My partner’s gestures indicated that I (North) must be crazy; ‘sacrificing’ at the six level when vulnerable against not.

 

And what happened? At table B West quite reasonably led the K (he knew that there must be a void or two around and it was more likely that North was ruffing ’s). South apologised for his mild criticism of partner’s ‘crazy bidding’ when he gathered in the 13th trick. 6 doubled +1 was obviously a clear top to N-S. Most E-W’s were in 4 or 5 making 13 tricks.

The bottom lines: - 

-         There is a saying ‘the 5-level belongs to the opponents’. North did not believe it on this deal.

-         It is often best not to open with a pre-empt when holding a two-suited hand.

-         Bridge is not all about points, shape and a fit with partner are often far more important.

-         Here we have the perfect example. N-S have a combined 16 ‘points’ but make 13 tricks (or 11 tricks against double dummy defence).

-         6520 type shape becomes enormous if partner freely bids one of your long suits. Add on ten points or so and most certainly do not defend.

-         Note that even if 6 had gone one down ( lead) that’s still a great score for N-S.

-         Hands where either side can make 13 tricks against very sensible defence are somewhat rare.


Another slam - 1                                                       Board 12 from Wednesday 15th  

 

Here’s another slam from Wednesday that only one E-W pair bid.

 

Dealer:             Q                                                Table A

West                10                                               West          North         East(F)     South

N-S vul            KQJ9843                                    1              3    (1)      3    (2)    pass

                        9543                                          pass (3)      pass

       

K109653           N             A874                    Table B

K542              W    E          A9763                  West          North         East(F)     South    

-                          S              A107                   1              3    (1)      4    (2)    all pass  

A87                                    Q                        

                        J2                                              

QJ8                                           

652                                           

KJ1062                                     

 

Table A:     (1)  Weak

                  (2)  What did you bid with this East hand F in this week’s quiz? Without the jump overcall a 4 splinter is best; but you can’t splinter after the weak jump overcall and I think that 4 (cue bid agreeing ’s) is probably best although this 3 bid should also have worked out fine.

(3)  Unfortunately West did not know that partner’s bid was forcing. Even if it was not I would bid 4.

Table B:     (2)  This 4 bid does not do the hand justice. 3 (forcing!) or 4 are the good alternatives. Slam should easily be reached after either.                       

 

And what happened? Just one pair reached 6, 4 was a popular spot.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Raising partner’s major to four (with or without  a weak jump overcall) is not forward going. With a great hand, find another (forcing) bid.

-         A cue bid of the opponent’s suit should agree trumps and show first round control.

-         A new suit is natural and most definitely forcing unless you play negative free bids which I don’t particularly recommend.

 

With this particular deal a simple basic bidding sequence could have gone: -

 

West          North         East            South

1              3              3              pass

4              pass           4NT           pass

5  (4)        pass           6              all pass                      (4) 2 keycards without the Q

 


Another slam - 2                                                       Board 23 from Friday 17th  

 

Just two pairs reached an excellent slam on Friday.

 

Dealer:             QJ1087                                      Table A

South               87                                               West(F)     North         East          South

Both vul            92                                               -                 -                 -               pass

                        8542                                          1NT (1)      pass           2            pass

2              pass           3NT (2)    all pass  

A5                     N             94                        

KQ                 W    E          A10632                Table B     

K543                  S              AQ1086              West (F)    North         East          South

AQ963                               10                        -                 -                 -               pass

                        K632                                          1   (1)      pass           1    (3)    pass

J954                                           2    (4)      pass           4NT (5)    pass

J7                                               5   (6)      pass           5NT (7)    pass

KJ7                                            6    (8)      pass           pass (9)    pass

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you open with this West hand F(a) in this week’s quiz? I have no problem opening 1NT with two good doubletons, but this hand is far too strong.

(2)  3 (forcing) is a better bid but partner will probably bid 3NT anyway. Nobody knows that slam is in the air after the poor 1NT opening.

Table B:     (2)  This is the best opening bid.

(3)   With 5-5, always bid the higher ranking.

(4)   What did you bid with this West hand F(b) in this week’s quiz? A balanced 18 so 2NT? That’s possible but I much prefer the reverse; it describes the hand more accurately.

(5)   RKCB for ’s.

(6)   0 or 3 keycards.

(7)   Kings?

(8)   One, the K has already been counted.

(9)   With two kings missing I won’t chance the grand.

 

And what happened? Just two pairs bid 6, both making +1 to share the top.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Do not open 1NT with a good 18 points.

-         Note the power of having a fit. 13 tricks are cold in ’s (you do not need the finesse nor the K to drop in 3 rounds) with just a combined 28 points. Top cards and having a fit is what good bidding is all about.

-         If West had rebid 2NT instead of the 2 reverse then the slam should still be reached: -

1 - 1 - 2NT - 3 (forcing) - 4 - 4NT etc.


Another slam - 3                                                       Board 3 from Wednesday 15th  

 

N-S blundered their way into a slam on this deal from Wednesday.

 

Dealer:             1086                                          

South               KJ9864                                      West          North         East          South(H)

E-W vul           8                                                 -                 -                 -               2  

                        643                                            pass           2    (1)      pass         3NT (2)

pass           4    (3)      pass         4    (4) 

43                      N             QJ952                  pass           5    (5)      pass         6    (5)

10                   W    E          A72                      pass           6    (7)      pass         pass (8)

932                     S              1065                    pass

QJ109752                          K8                      

                        AK7                                          

Q53                                           

AKQJ74                                   

A                                               

 

(1)   Waiting.

(2)   What did you bid with this South hand H in this week’s quiz? Anybody who has read a few of my news sheets (I said a lot in news-sheet 188) or has played with me for a while knows exactly what I think of a system with a 3NT rebid to show a big balanced hand. Rubbish. Anyway, Benjamin twos or the Multi 2 appear not to have got to the States and this American simply bid 3NT. 3 is a far better bid with this hand of course.

(3)   If North had a 5-card suit he would be in a dilemma (pass or try the major suit?); that’s why the 3NT rebid sucks. Anyway, with a 6 card suit he had no real problem so he bid it.

(4)   Of course it never occurred to North that South would take this as a transfer. I guess it’s logical but having transfers/Stayman over 3NT are alien to me as I prefer to play a  sensible system where you do not have to leap to 3NT with a big hand.

(5)   Anyway, North (me) corrected.

(6)   And South finally decided to bid his ’s.

(7)   Since I did not fancy being declarer in slam with a singleton as trumps I bid my ’s again. South must have a stop for his 3NT bid and I hoped it was not A singleton.

(8)   And South finally realised that Qxx was pretty decent support.

 

And what happened? Looks like we were the only pair with a bidding system sophisticated enough to bid the excellent 6. Most were in game (or a partscore!) and the one pair with a bidding system even more ‘sophisticated’ than ours (?) ended up in 7 minus one.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Having just 2 as the only strong opening bid simply is not enough. When are Benjamin twos or Multi 2 going to make it across the big pond?

-         Any system where you have to open or rebid 3NT to show a 25+ balanced hand is simply rubbish. Especially when there are numerous solutions; Benjamin, Multi 2 or the Kokish relay for example. I much prefer one of the first two; i.e. a strong or Muli 2 opening. I could never get this common sense message across to Chuck but I’ll try with Lewis and have a serious chat with him soon.

-         Playing Benjamin twos a 25+ balanced hand is a doddle: 2 - 2 - 2NT is game forcing and leaves all of the options of Stayman and transfers below the level of 3NT.

-         Qxx is good support for partner’s 5+ card suit, especially if you have a singleton elsewhere.


Play Multi Landy                                                 Board 17 from Wednesday 15th  

 

And here we have another example of where the European convention (Multi Landy) really is far better than the similar American convention (Cappelletti): -

 

Dealer:             106                                            

North               J8                                               West          North         East          South

Love all            Q984                                          -                 pass           1NT         2    (1) 

                        A8753                                        pass           2    (2)      all pass

 

873                    N             AKJ                     

7543               W    E          A106                   

K52                    S              J763                            

J42                                     K109                  

                        Q9532                                       

KQ92                                        

A10                                          

Q6                                            

 

(1)   South thought that they were playing Cappelletti and decided to bid 2 to show both majors. With so many values outside the majors, pass is probably more prudent.

(2)   North believed that they had agreed to play Multi-Landy, where 2 shows a single suited hand and one normally relays with 2. As it happens of course, he would also bid 2 if he knew that his partner’s bid was Cappelletti and still arrive in the silly 2 contract with the 4-2 fit. What a ridiculous convention Cappelletti is!

 

And what happened? The 4-2 fit did not play well and scored a joint bottom.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Cappelletti sucks! This deal is the perfect example. If overcaller shows both majors (2 with multi-Landy or 2 with Cappelletti) then advancer has no way of getting into the best fit when he is equal length in the majors if playing Cappelletti.

-         Playing Multi Landy it’s easy. Over 2 (both majors) advancer simply bids 2 if he is equal length in both majors and the best fit is always found.

-         All of the world should learn from each other. The Americans invented the best natural bidding system going (2/1) but few Europeans play it. England invented Multi-Landy and England (or rather Scotland) invented Benjamin twos, the Americans should look at both of them.

-         There is absolutely no reason why you cannot play Benjamin (or Multi 2) with either Standard American or 2/1.

-         Cappelletti, along with a few other conventions like Smolen, should be thrown on the rubbish heap.

-     If you insist that Cappelletti is fine, then obviously you can only use the 2 bid when 5-5 in the majors.

 

 

 


4 after a transfer asks for aces/keycards        Board 19 from Wednesday 15th  

 

What was your answer to bidding sequence K? N-S missed an easy slam here: -

 

Dealer:             K3                                             

South               AJ1098542                                West          North         East          South

E-W vul           73                                               -                 -                 -               1NT

                        A                                                pass           2              pass         2

pass           4   (1)      pass         4    (2) 

Q762                 N             J10985                 pass           4    (3)      all pass

3                     W    E          Q6                           

K10654              S              92                       

K106                                 J954                    

                        A4                                             

K7                                             

AQJ8                                        

Q8732                                      

 

 

(1)   What was you answer to the 4 bid in this week’s bidding sequence K quiz? “Standard” is that it asks for aces, with 4NT as quantitative. However, if you play Roman Keycard Blackwood then it’s obviously best to use 4 as Roman Keycard. That’s what is stated in ‘the No Trump bidding book’ and what North assumed was being played.

(2)   But the opposition asked South what the 4 bid was and he admitted to having no idea.

(3)   North was in a bit of a spot now. Should he bid 6 anyway? But actually the ethics/rules are clear here and this North is totally ethical; North has to assume that South understood the bid and responded correctly. So 4 showed 1 or 4 keycards (playing 1430) and so with two keycards missing he signed off in 4.

 

And what happened? South made 13 tricks. Just one other pair missed the slam and only one other declarer made 13 tricks.

The bottom lines: - 

-         I wrote a leaflet a year or so back on when 4 asks for aces or keycards and when it’s 4NT; it’s on the web and there are copies in the conventions folder and it’s obviously something that every partnership should agree upon.

-     Basically, if partner’s last natural bid was one or two NoTrump then 4 asks for aces/keycards.

-     South’s 2 bid here was not natural and so 4 is an ace (Keycard) ask.

-     Had South super-accepted then ’s are agreed and 4NT would be RKCB.

-     Clearly it is best if you play Roman keycard for the 4 bid having transferred to ask for keycards. This deal is a perfect example of why, North needs to know about the two missing aces and the K.

-     Using Stayman it’s very slightly different but totally logical:

      (1) 1NT - 2 - 2 - 4     is Gerber.

      (2) 1NT - 2 - 2 - 4NT   is Quantitative.

      (3) 1NT - 2 - 2 - 4     is Roman Keycard ask.

(4) 1NT - 2 - 2 - 4NT  is Quantitative with 4 ’s and not 4 ’s. Experienced pairs would not use this sequence (4) as it’s better to establish partner’s shape using SARS.

           


Agree DOPI after Blackwood is interfered with                  Board 20 from Wednesday 15th  

 

North got his revenge for the missed slam on the very next board: -

 

Dealer:             A9752                                       

West                6                                                 West          North         East          South

Both vul            97543                                         1              2    (1)      dbl   (2)    2

                        A5                                              3             pass           3            4    (3)

4NT           5    (4)      dbl   (5)    pass

K10                   N             643                       6  (6)        dbl   (7)      all pass

AQ8652         W    E          K1094                     

A                        S              Q106                  

KQJ2                                 1096                   

                        QJ8                                           

J3                                              

KJ82                                         

8743                                         

 

 

(1)   Michaels, weak and showing ’s and a minor.

(2)   I prefer pass or 3or 4. This double conveyed the impression to West that East had a decent hand.

(3)   South now knows that North’s minor is ’s.

(4)   With the last missed slam in mind, North decided to put E-W to the test by interfering with their Blackwood when holding two aces.

(5)   I believe that East just wanted to defend 5 doubled. Apparently they did not play DOPI although this happens to be correct bid for zero aces. Playing Roman keycard it says zero keycards which is incorrect of course (pass with one).

(6)   West did not know about the aces/keycards but was still under the impression that East had a reasonable hand.

(7)   Gotcha.

 

And what happened? North cashed his two aces. Everybody else was in 4 or 5.

The bottom lines: - 

-         Michaels is an excellent convention as long as it is not abused. I do no use it with any old two suited overcall. In my style it either weak (as here) or very strong.

-         Play DOPI and avoid slams with two aces off the top.

-         DOPI is best played as double = 0 keycards, pass = 1 keycard, bid = 2 keycards, etc.


Bidding Quiz Answers

 

Hand A:    3, pretty obvious. I would not argue with 4. It’s only in the quiz because somebody passed!

Hand B:    4. Showing game values and 6 ’s. 3 is invitational and may be passed.

Hand C:    2. A vulnerable pre-empt in first seat should be reasonable. If you think it’s too good then open 1which is fine. For me there is no such thing as a hand that’s too good for 2 but not good enough for 1 – my style does not allow a ‘gap’.

Hand D:    2NT, 3, 3NT or 4? Tricky. But this is a great 18 count with a six-card major and I bid 4. 2NT and 3 may be passed and 3NT implies only 5 ’s. It’s true that partner may be very short in ’s but I still prefer to take that gamble rather than one of the other ones. 3 is an acceptable alternative which may elicit doubleton support from partner but may lead to complications.

Hand E:    1. It conforms with the rule of 20 and is far too good for a pre-emptive 2.

Hand F:     (a)  1. The hand is far too strong for 1NT.

(b)  2. A reverse. I prefer this to the decent alternative of 2NT.

Hand G:    Pass. If you open 2 then a possible fit may be missed. I think it’s best to pass to start with and hope to show the hand type later.

Hand H:    3, game forcing. It’s far too good for 2NT (non-forcing in basic Standard American) and 3NT is a terrible bid as you may well miss a 5-3 major suit fit.

If you play Benjamin twos then you can start with 2 (artificial game force) and then bid 2NT if you prefer not to bid this great suit.

 

 

Bidding Sequence Answers

                 

J      1      3      3                    3 is absolutely forcing.

K     1NT   pass   2      pass       4 is traditionally an ace ask, but it is best played as a Roman

2      pass   4                   Keycard ask.

L      1NT   pass   2     pass       4NT is quantitative.

2      pass   4NT

M    1      pass   1NT   pass       3 is about (good)16-17 points but is not forcing.

3     

N     1NT   pass   2      pass       2NT is 8-9 with 5 ’s. It is non-forcing.

2      pass   2NT

P      1NT   pass   2      pass       3NT is 10+ with 5 ’s. Partner should pass or correct to 4.

2      pass   3NT

Q     1NT   pass   2      pass       3 is 7-8 with 6 ’s. It is non-forcing.

2      pass   3

R     1NT   pass   2      pass       4 is 9+ with 6 ’s. It is mildly slam invitational if you also

2      pass   4                    play Texas transfers or South African Texas.