Club News Sheet – No. 158     www.pattayabridge.com   12th Nov 2005

 

                                    Winner                                                   Runner-up

           

Mon   7th    N-S   1st    Jean-Charles/Thorlief      62%         2nd    Bob/Monte                 57%

                  E-W   1st    Tomas/Philip                   61%         2nd    Phil/Tom                     56%

Wed   9th    N-S   1st    Chuck/Terry                   56%         2nd    Alan/Bob P                55%

                  E-W   1st    Bob Short/Jim(Sco)        66%         2nd    Gene/Richard             59%

Fri   11th     N-S   1st    Jim(Sco)/John Gavens    62%         2nd    Chuck/Terry               59%

                  E-W   1st    Bill/Bob P                       62%         2nd    Paul Scully/Keith        55%

 

The standings in the Gold Cup competition are close; currently we have (best 30): -

 

1st Chuck     1877.2%        2nd Dave 1864.5%      3rd Bob 1851.9%    4th Clive  1799.3%

 

 

Bidding Quiz                           Standard American is assumed unless otherwise stated

 

Hand A            Hand B            A trivial one to start with, what do you open with Hand A?

 

♠ J862             ♠ 65                 With Hand B LHO opens 2♦, partner bids 2♠ and RHO …

♥ A85              ♥ AKJ3           (a) RHO bids 3♦, what do you do?

♦ K4                ♦ Q3                (b) RHO bids 4♦, what do you do?

♣ AK32           ♣ KQJ72

 

Hand C            Hand D            With Hand C partner opens 1♦, what do you bid?

 

♠ Q1054          ♠ AK10           With Hand D you open 1NT. Partner bids 2♣. You bid 2♦.

♥ Q                  ♥ A105            And Partner bids 2♥, showing a weak hand with 5 ♥’s and 4 ♠’s

♦ K73              ♦ 982               What do you do?

♣ AQ432         ♣ AQ97

 

Hand E             Hand F             With Hand E partner opens 1NT, what do you do?

 

♠ J762             ♠ J93                                      

♥ KJ42            ♥ J10953         With Hand F LHO opens 1♦, partner passes, and RHO responds

♦ 3                   ♦ AK               1♠, what do you do?

♣ 10652          ♣ AK2

 

Is it forcing?                           What does 4♠ mean in this sequence, and is it forcing?

                                                1♦ - 2♣ - 3NT - 4♠ ?

Leading Quiz

 

Hand G            West    North   East      South

 

♠ K43              pass     1♣       pass     1♥              With this Hand G you are East with this

♥ J109             1♠        1NT     all pass                   bidding. What do you lead?

♦ A105                                                                  Answer next page.

♣ Q854

 

With a balanced 15-17, open 1NT!                     Board 15 from Monday 7th     

 

Dealer:             ♠ J862                                           Table A

South               ♥ A85                                            West          North(A)    East(G)    South

N-S vul            ♦ K4                                              -                 -                 -               pass

                        ♣ AK32                                         pass           1♣   (1)      pass         1♥

                                                                                                        1♠     (2)     1NT (3)      pass         pass (4)

♠ AQ1095            N             ♠ K43                     

♥ Q6                  W    E          ♥ J109                     Table B

♦ Q62                    S              ♦ A105                    West          North(A)    East          South

♣ 1096                                  ♣ Q854                   -                 -                 -               pass

                        ♠ 7                                                 pass           1NT (1)      pass         2♦    (5)

                        ♥ K7432                                        pass   (6)    2♥              pass         pass

                        ♦ J9873                                          pass   (7)

                        ♣ J7

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you open with this North hand A in this week’s quiz? See Table B.

(2)  North’s poor opening choice has let West in cheaply.

(3)  North had intended a 1♠ rebid. 1NT is a poor bid as it promises 12-14 with a ♠ stop

      – the hand has no ♠ stop and is not 12-14; that just one of the problem with not opening 1NT with a balanced hand within your 1NT opening range – you usually have no sensible rebid.

(4)  Unfortunately South could not bid 2♦ now as that would have been conventional in their system – NMF.

Table B:     (1)  It’s a balanced 15 count and 1NT is totally obvious. See bottom lines. Note that this is not a flat type 4333 hand and should not devalue. The shape is average and the ♣AKxx are good. Anything other than a strong 1NT is silly.

(5)  Transfer

(6)  West would now have to come in at the two level; with a strong NT opener sitting over them ˝ of the field chose not to. And even if he did South would compete to 3♥ opposite a 1NT opener.

(7)  Since the auction had died, I would bid 2♠ here – but then South would bid 3♦ to show his 2nd suit and N-S end up in ♥’s anyway.

 

Onto the play. What did you lead in the lead quiz? Obviously a ♠, but the ♠K is incorrect – you should lead small from an honour. In this situation that would mean that E-W may well pick up the whole ♠ suit and North score no ♠ whatsoever. This East incorrectly led the ♠K and North scrambled home in his poor 1NT contract.

And what happened? 1NT making was a very poor score for N-S. All but one of the other tables were in 2♥ or 3♥ by North, everybody making 9 tricks– so they all knew when to open 1NT and when to transfer.

The bottom lines: -

-         If you can describe your hand in one go, do so.

-         Opening 1NT makes it easy for partner.

-         Opening 1NT makes it difficult for the opponents.

-         Opening 1NT means you never have a rebid problem.

-         If you have a Kx holding try to open 1NT so that you can to protect it.

-         In Fact – it’s usually best to open 1NT whenever you can! It makes it easy for partner and difficult for opponents.

Double is take-out                                               Board 18 from Monday 7th    

 

Dealer:             ♠ 65                                               Table A

East                  ♥ AKJ3                                         West          North(B)    East          South

N-S vul            ♦ Q3                                              -                 -                 2♦            2♠    (1)

                        ♣ KQJ72                                       3♦     (2)     3♠    (3)      pass         4♠

                                                                                                        all pass

♠ Q103                 N             ♠ K94                     

♥ 10642             W    E          ♥ 8                           Table B

♦ A987                  S              ♦ KJ1064                 West          North(B)    East          South

♣ 63                                      ♣ 10985                  -                 -                 2♦            2♠    (1)

                        ♠ AJ8742                                       4♦     (2)     4♣   (4)      pass (5)    4♥    (6)

                        ♥ Q975                                          all pass      

                        ♦ 5                                                

                        ♣ A4

 

Table A:     (1)  With a decent 6 card ♠ suit, I prefer 2♠ to double.

(2)   With 4 ♦’s a raise to 4♦ will make it more difficult for North (The Law).

(3)   What did you bid with this North hand B(a) in this week’s quiz? I would double (showing ♣’s and ♥’s) with 4♣ as my 2nd choice. This North just supported ♠’s.

Table B:     (2)  This West knew about The Law.

                  (4)  What did you bid with this North hand B(b) in this week’s quiz? This time you are a level higher and it’s not so easy (that’s why West should bid 4♦). The only sensible bid for North now is double. He chose 4♣ …

(5)   … and fortunately for North, East pulled out the pass card before the insufficient bid was noted.

(6)   And so N-S managed to end up in the top spot. If E-W had noted the insufficient bid then North would have had no real option but to bid the poor 4♠ as South is barred from the auction if North bids anything but 5♣.

 

And what happened? 4♠ was bid 4 times, making 9 or 10 tricks. 4♥ was bid 3 times, making 11 tricks and the pair in 6♥ went one down.

The bottom lines: -

-     Raise partner’s pre-empt to the limit of The Law.

-     Look for the 4-4 fit; 4-4 is better than 6-2.

-     A ♠ overcall does not necessarily deny 4 ♥’s.

-     When the opponent’s bid and support a suit then dbl is usually for take-out. It certainly is in both of the situations for North above.


Got no stop?                                                         Board 16 from Monday 7th    

 

I have covered asking for a stop (cue bid the enemy suit, 4th suit forcing etc.) many times in the news-sheets. Here we have an example where showing a stop (and thus asking for a stop in another suit) is a possibility: -

 

Dealer:             ♠ Q42                                           

West                ♥ 985                                             West          North         East          South

E-W vul           ♦ 8                                                 1♦              3♣   (1)      3♥    (2)    pass

                        ♣ KJ9853                                      pass  (3)     pass

                                                                                                       

♠ A105                 N             ♠ 73                        

♥ J                     W    E          ♥ AQ762                

♦ AKQ7532          S              ♦ J109                     

♣ Q6                                     ♣ A107                   

                        ♠ KJ986                                       

                        ♥ K1043                                       

                        ♦ 64                                              

                        ♣ 42

 

(1)  An excellent example of a weak jump overcall.

(2)  This is forcing unless you have an agreement (negative free bids) to the contrary.

(3)  But West has a problem here, North’s pre-empt has used up space. A cue bid of 4♣ would ask for a stop – but it’s gone past 3NT. One option is to bid 3♠. This is not natural because partner had denied 4 ♠’s (with ♥’s and ♠’s he would have negative doubled). So 3♠ is showing something in the ♠ suit and asking partner to bid 3NT with a ♣ stop. Now this is all very well, but there are a couple of problems. As little as ♣Jxx from partner will do and also if partner has ♣Ax(x) then the wrong hand is declarer – I wrote only last week about Qx belonging in declarer’s hand – and with this hand it would be crucial if there were not 10 top tricks. West has a big hand and cannot pass (even if partner’s 3♥ was not forcing) and I would simply bid 3NT and hope partner has something in ♣’s – but you all know me, if 3NT is a viable option, then bid it. Who knows, even if there was no ♣ stop North may not lead one (hoping to get South in for a ♣ through).

 

And what happened?

Nobody found 3NT! Six pairs played in 5♦ usually making 11 or 12 tricks.

The bottom lines: -

-     Raise partner’s pre-empt to the limit of The Law.

-     3NT+1 scores more than 5♣/♦.

-     Sometimes you simply have to gamble.

-     You can bid a suit that partner has denied in order to get him to bid NT with a stop in the opponent’s suit (this tactic is used when the cue bid ask is above 3NT).

-     Qx usually belongs in declarer’s hand, not dummy.


Redouble is for blood!                                         Board 13 from Monday 7th    

 

Dealer:             ♠ 985                                             Table A

North               ♥ J95                                             West          North         East          South

Both vul            ♦ 974                                             -                 pass           1♥            dbl

                        ♣ Q975                                         redbl (1)     pass (2)      1♠    (3)    pass (4)

                                                                                                        3♥              pass           4♥            all pass

♠ 42                      N             ♠ QJ106                 

♥ A743              W    E          ♥ K10862                ‘Expert’ Table

♦ Q3                      S              ♦ AK5                     West          North         East          South

♣ A8632                                ♣ K                         -                 pass           1♥            dbl

                        ♠ AK73                                         redbl  (1)    pass (2)      pass (3)    1♠    (5)

                        ♥ Q                                                pass   (6)    pass           dbl   (7)    2♦    (8)

                        ♦ J10862                                        pass   (9)    pass           dbl   (10)  pass (11)

                        ♣ J104

 

Table A:     (1)  10+ points. It’s often a mis-fit for partner. As this hand is short in ♦’s and ♠’s an alternative bid would be 2NT – Truscott or Jordan 2NT, showing a sound raise to 3♥ (a direct 3♥ is pre-emptive after a double)

(2)   North knows that his side is in trouble. In this sort of situation he has to look for the least expensive spot. With 4 ♠’s it would be best to bid 1♠ and with a 5 card ♣ or ♦ suit he would bid that. With nowhere to run to he correctly leaves it to partner to find a spot.

(3)   What did you bid with this East hand D in this week’s quiz? This is a terrible bid.

‘Expert’      (3)  This expert knows exactly what to do. LHO normally has ♠’s for his double –

 Table               so wait for him to bid them and then double him for penalties. Pass is correct.

(5)  South knows he’s in trouble – but there’s no harm in trying ♠’s before retreating into 2♦.

(6)  West cannot penalise ♠’s, so he passes in case partner can. This pass is forcing, partner must either double or bid.

(7)  I like big penalties.

(8)  OK, let’s try the ♦’s then.

(9)  Another forcing pass.

            (10) We may or may not have game, but the vulnerable penalty looks a good bet.

 

And what happened? 3♥ made exactly for an average. 2♦ doubled would have gone for 800.

The bottom lines: -

-     Redouble shows 10+ points and is often a mis-fit. It is frequently looking for a penalty and opener is expected to pass.

-     If the next hand bids, then opener should either double (penalties) or pass.

-     Do not bid after partner re-doubles unless you have a very shapely hand.

-     And note the forcing pass at (6). Opener is not allows to pass – if he can (and wishes to) penalise 2♦ he should do so, otherwise he has to bid.

-     With a sound raise to 3♥/♠ of partner’s 1♥/♠ opener, bid 2NT over a double (Truscott/Jordan 2NT).

 

♠ 9842             Note: This particular deal is not a perfect example of why E-W should look for

♥ A                  the penalty. But change West’s hand slightly to something like this (a more

♦ Q973            typical redouble) this and it’s a different story, with N-S going for a huge number.

♣ AQ86

Responding with (sub)minimal values                 Board 23 from Monday 7th    

 

Dealer:             ♠ J109                                           Table A

South               ♥ AJ                                              West          North         East          South

Both vul            ♦ J84                                              1♠     (1)     pass           pass (2)    pass (3)

                        ♣ 86432                                       

                                                                                                       

♠ KQ873              N             ♠ -                           Table B

♥ K94                W    E          ♥ Q86532                West          North         East          South

♦ AKQ5                S              ♦ 762                       1♠     (1)     pass           1NT (2)    pass

♣ Q                                       ♣ K1097                 3♦     (4)     pass           pass (5)    pass

                        ♠ A6542                                       

                        ♥ 107                                            

                        ♦ 1093                                          

                        ♣ AJ5

 

Table A:     (1)  What would you open with this West hand? It’s not strong enough for 2♣ and I don’t think it’s good enough for a strong or Benji two either. So it’s 1♠ and hope.

(2)  I would never pass here. Actually this hand is a nice 5-count, but partner’s ♠ opening has not improved it. I would still bid, however. 1NT is the bid, followed by 2♥ if partner bids 2♣/♦.

(3)  South had a think here, but with length in the suit opened I think that pass is usually correct.

Table B:     (1)  East got it right – 1NT.

(4)   A sigh of relief, 1♠ was not passed out.

(5)   But unfortunately this East fell from grace by passing partner’s forcing bid.  He should bid 3♥ here.

 

And what happened? The results really were all over the place! Varying from 6♥ doubled minus one to 1♠ (twice) and 3♦ twice. The best spot looks like 4♥ to me but nobody out of 8 tables found it!

The bottom lines: -

-     Don’t pass partner with a void in his suit if you can possibly muster up a bid.

-     1NT followed by a new suit is weak.

-     1x – 1NT – 3y is game forcing.

-     Don’t pass partner’s forcing bids.

-     Slam is not usually a good bet with three aces missing.

 

As nobody found 4♥, I had to call in the experts: -

 

West          East                  and it’s so simple that I don’t even have to add any comments.

1♠              1NT                 Just one pair found the ♥ fit, but I don’t know why they bid 6♥,

3♦              3♥                    especially with 3 aces missing.

4♥              pass

Don’t make a weak bid with game-forcing values               Board 10 from Wednesday 9th    

 

Dealer:             ♠ A9862                                       

East                  ♥ J8643                                         West(C)     North         East          South

Both vul            ♦ 8                                                 -                 -                 1♦            pass

                        ♣ 85                                              1♠     (1)     pass           1NT (2)    pass

                                                                              2♣    (3)     pass           2NT (4)    pass

♠ Q1054               N             ♠ J3                         3NT           all pass

♥ Q                    W    E          ♥ AK75                  

♦ K73                    S              ♦ QJ42                    

♣ AQ432                               ♣ K97                     West(C)     North         East          South

                        ♠ K7                                              -                 -                 1♦            pass

                        ♥ 1092                                           2♣     (1)    pass           2NT (5)    pass

                        ♦ A10965                                      3♠      (6)    pass           3NT         all pass

                        ♣ J106

 

Table A:     (1)  What did you bid with this West hand C in this week’s quiz? Seen ‘Expert’ Table

(2)  1NT, 12-14, is correct here. 2♥ would be incorrect as it’s a reverse showing about 15+ points and 5 ♦’s.

(3)  Now West is in a spot – he wants to show his ♣ suit but unfortunately 2♣ is not forcing here unless you have a specific agreement (like CBS or NMF).

(4)  Fortunately East bid – I would have passed.

‘Expert’      (1)  This is correct – bid out your shape. With game forcing values you can bid 2♣

  Table              and then bid ♠’s next go.

(5)  I think that 2NT is best here – it’s still 12-14.

(6)  And West bids out his shape – forcing.

 

And what happened? Just about everybody reached 3NT, making +1 or +2.

The bottom lines: -

-     Don’t make a weak bid with a game forcing hand.

-     As responder with a 5 card minor and a 4 card major, bid the minor first if you have game going values.

-     After a sequence like 1♦ - 1♠ - 1NT, 2♣ is simply weak, saying you don’t like 1NT, unless you agree to play it as conventional.

 

‘Denying’ a 4 card major

 

As I said above, there’s no problem with by-passing a 4 card major if you intend to bid it next go. But what if partner is inconsiderate enough to rebid 3NT – what would you then bid with this West hand in the sequence 1♦ - 2♣ - 3NT - ?

Actually there is no problem. Partner has shown a big hand (18+ or else a good long ♦ suit) and so slam will be there. So simply bid 4♠, this is natural, absolutely forcing, and looking for slam.

Open 1NT and you’ve said it all                         Board 7 from Wednesday 9th    

 

Dealer:             ♠ AK10                                        

South               ♥ A105                                          West          North(D)    East          South(E)

Both vul            ♦ 982                                             -                 -                 -               pass

                        ♣ AQ97                                         pass           1NT           pass         2♣   (1)

                                                                              pass           2♦              pass         2♥    (2)

♠ Q94                   N             ♠ 853                       pass           3♥  (3)        all pass

♥ Q8                  W    E          ♥ 9763                    

♦ J1064                  S              ♦ AKQ75               

♣ KJ84                                  ♣ 3                         

                        ♠ J762                                          

                        ♥ KJ42                                         

                        ♦ 3                                                

                        ♣ 10652

 

(1)  South took a view here. With a singleton ♦ 1NT did not look attractive, and if partner has a 4 card major (or even a 5-card major) then 1NT would be a very silly contract indeed. Now for this ‘Garbage’ Stayman bid you really should be 54xx, 45xx or 4441 (short ♣’s) but South took a reasonable gamble – if partner did not have a 4-card major then he would bid 2♥ (although it’s promising 5) and hope that that was a decent spot.

(2)  And that’s what happened.

(3)  Now South has shown 4 ♠’s, 5 ♥’s and a weak hand. His range is around 0-7 so the average is about 4 points. North decided that his flat hand was worth a try for game. My opinion is that this is not a ‘view’ but simply a very poor bid. Opposite partner’s advertised weak hand you will go off in 3♥ most of the time and partner will need a super maximum to make game. The problem is that this North hand has only 3 trumps and is also totally flat – it is way against the odds to bid on and risk going down.

 

And what happened? 3♥ went minus one for a poor score. 2♥ making would have been a good score. At other tables there were the usual spurious results but 1NT made exactly and 2NT was 3 down. Looks like 2♥ would have been a great spot. The bottom lines: -

-     Deduct a point for the totally flat 4333 type shape – it does not generate tricks!!

-     Take note of the above sentence – I’ve written it in just about every news-sheet that I’ve ever written but even one of the ‘best’ players in the club seems to fail to comprehend it.

-     Don’t convert partner’s top into a bottom by trying for a very pushy game – especially at pairs scoring. And don’t try to blame partner when it’s you who blew it!

-     Taking a view which probably has a greater than 50% chance of working is reasonable.

-     Taking a ‘view’ which has about a zero to 5% chance of working is not reasonable.

-     When you open 1NT you have said it all – partner is the captain.

-     The sequence 1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥/♠ is weak and opener should pass.

-     The above sequence shows 5 cards in the major bid – it is taking a view if you have only 4 and obviously you should just ride it out in a silly 1NT if partner is likely to bid on.

-     Obey The LAW. 5 + 3 = 8, so the two level. Bidding 3 is asking for a minus.

 

And just a word about 5-4 major suit hands opposite 1NT. With a weak hand, bid as above (Stayman and then the 5 card suit). With a strong hand you can bid Stayman and then jump or else you can use a transfer and then bid the 4 card major. Both of these are generally considered to be game forcing but I guess that you could use one of them as invitational if you have another way to show 5-5 in the majors. The ‘best’ solution is to play Quest transfers.

Being sandwiched – part 1                                   Board 11 from Wednesday 9th    

 

Dealer:             ♠ A82                                           

South               ♥ AQ742                                       West          North         East(F)     South

Love all            ♦ 96                                               -                 -                 -               1♦

                        ♣ Q73                                           pass           1♥              1NT (1)    pass (2)

                                                                              pass           dbl   (3)      pass         pass

♠ 10765                N             ♠ J93                       pass (4)

♥ 86                   W    E          ♥ J10953                

♦ 854                     S              ♦ AK                      

♣ J1098                                 ♣ AK2                    

                        ♠ KQ4                                          

                        ♥ K                                               

                        ♦ QJ10732                                    

                        ♣ 654

 

(1)  What did you bid with this East hand F in this week’s quiz? Now a 1NT overcall of an opening bid is 15-18 and this would be a reasonable bid over a 1♥ opening. But the situation here is different – it is LHO who has opened and RHO has bid. Bidding a natural 1NT here is very dangerous – you are ‘sandwiched’ between two unlimited hands opposite a passed partner. It’s a recipe for disaster – either one can double you for penalties.

(2)  With a minimal opener, South passes. To bid (2♦) would be a poor bid as partner may be able to chop 1NT.

(3)  Chop, chop.

(4)  West could redouble here (SOS) but it’s a lost cause whatever he does.

 

And what happened? It was a disaster for East, minus 3 and 500 away. And at other tables? Two N-S’s bid 3NT making exactly. At another table East decided to double the freely bid 3NT, exactly why he thought he could defeat it is a mystery to me.

The bottom lines: -

-         Be wary about bidding in the ‘Sandwich’ position, and don’t bid 1NT with a balanced 15-18 points as you may well get clobbered.

-         In fact there is a special meaning for 1NT in this position, it’s not surprisingly called the Sandwich NT! It is a take-out bid, not strong enough for double but not shapely enough for a jump to 2NT (the UNT, which would have to be extremely shapely indeed in this position – say 6-6). But it should be shapely (5-5), because as we saw above, you’ll get clobbered if it’s a flat hand.

-     Don’t double the opponents in a freely bid 3NT just because you have 4 tricks unless you think that you can generate another trick or have reason to believe that partner has something.
Being sandwiched – part 2                             Board 2 from Wednesday 9th    

 

And we have much the same thing here, where a 1NT bid in the sandwich position should have been a disaster again. Fortunately for North E-W were beginners: -

 

Dealer:             ♠ QJ5                                           

East                  ♥ KQ62                                         West          North         East          South

N-S vul            ♦ J976                                            -                 -                 1♣   (1)    pass

                        ♣ K7                                             1♠              1NT (2)      2♥    (3)    pass

                                                                              pass   (4)           

♠ AK1042            N             ♠ 97                        

♥ 9                     W    E          ♥ AJ873                 

♦ AK32                 S              ♦ Q105                   

♣ 1062                                  ♣ AJ4                     

                        ♠ 863                                            

                        ♥ 1054                                          

                        ♦ 84                                              

                        ♣ Q9853

 

(1)   Obviously he should have opened 1♥

(2)   A ‘Sandwich NT’. Showing the two unbid suits. Unfortunately this hand really is lousy shape for the bid and it should have been punished.

(3)   South did alert the 1NT bid, but East did not bother to ask and simply bid his ♥’s. Had he asked and learnt that North has the red suits then double would have been very profitable.

(4)   Quite why West did not bid game is also mysterious – perhaps he thought that North had 15-18 points and partner was a bit light?

 

And what happened? 2♥ made +2 and scored about average. At other tables 3 E-W pairs found 3NT scoring 400 or 430. Obviously if North was doubled at this vulnerability it would have been a completely deserved absolute bottom.

The bottom lines: -

-         If the opponent’s alert a bid which appears to be natural – then ask! Some people do play (and abuse) the weirdest of conventions.

-         Be wary of bidding in the ‘sandwich seat’.

-         Look for the penalty if somebody bids NT in the sandwich seat.

Being sandwiched – part 3                                   Board 8 from Friday 11th     

 

This time we have a slightly more reasonable ‘Sandwich NT’ bid: -

 

Dealer:             ♠ J3                                              

West                ♥ K864                                          West          North         East          South

Love all            ♦ KJ10983                                     1♣             pass (1)      1♥    (2)    1NT   (3)

                        ♣ 2                                                2♣    (4)     3♦    (5)      3♠    (6)    pass  

                                                                              4NT  (7)     pass           5♦            pass      

♠ K106                 N             ♠ Q876                    6♠              pass           pass         dbl     (8)

♥ A3                  W    E          ♥ 10952                   all pass

♦ -                          S              ♦ Q4                       

♣ KQJ98753                         ♣ A64                     

                        ♠ A952                                         

                        ♥ QJ7                                           

                        ♦ A7652                                       

                        ♣ 10

 

(1)   A weak 3♦ is not really a good bid here as the hand has a 4 card ♥ suit.

(2)   Correct, always bid 4 card majors up the line

(3)   The dreaded Sandwich NT – showing the two unbid suits. But this time it’s a better example. This hand is nowhere near shapely enough for a pre-emptive 2NT in this ‘vulnerable’ position and double should show a better hand in this ‘vulnerable’ position. I think that one should have 5 cards in both of the suits but I guess that 4 ♠’s here is just about OK(?) as that would be at the one level.

(4)   Brushing the overall aside without bothering to ask what it was (North did alert the bid). I would play 2♣ here as a weak bid and would start off with a double.

(5)   Pre-emptive, North knows that South has ♦’s and ♠’s.

(6)   And this East bid his ♠ suit, oblivious to the fact that South has ‘bid’ them.

(7)   With reasonable ♠’s West decided to go slamming. I don’t like bidding Blackwood with a void, but I guess that it’s a reasonable bet that N-S have the ♦ ace.

(8)   Since nobody bother to ask my partner what I had, I’ll tell you.

 

And what happened? 6♠ doubled went 5 down for an absolute bottom to E-W. One N-S pair reached 5♦ which made. One West bid 6♣ but that went one down. The bottom lines: -

-         If an opponent alerts, then ask what it means if you are not sure.

-         K106 is not a slam quality suit opposite just 4 cards.

 

The Sandwich NT

 

Bidding 1NT in the ‘Sandwich’ position is dangerous. Do not do it with the ‘traditional’ 15-18 balanced (but pass). I cannot really recommend the ‘Sandwich NT’ bid (showing the other two suits) to inexperienced pairs as it’s very dangerous and too easily abused. Here’s a definition from the internet: -

 

Sandwich No Trump – ‘This term refers to the bid of No Trump, generally on the one level, of a player made between two bidding opponents after two suits have been mentioned. This bid describes a distribution of 5-5 in the other two unbid suits’.

 

 Contacting Others

 

We now have a list of some member’s/guest’s telephone/e-mail details on the web-site. When you open the main page there is a ‘contact members’ link in the left column. When you click that you’ll be asked for a password. At the moment it contains 20+ entries, if you would like your details included then give them or e-mail them to me and I’ll include them and tell/e-mail you the password.

 

 

Bidding Quiz Answers

 

Hand A:     1NT. No other sensible option.

Hand B:      (a) Dbl or 4♣. I prefer double (take-out).

                  (b) Dbl. Take-out. You don’t mind if partner bids 4♥, 4♠ or 5♣. In situations like this where the opponents have bid and agreed a suit double is generally for take-out.

Hand C:     2♣. In this situation you can ‘deny’ a 4 card major as you are going to bid it next time. You should only do this with game forcing values.

Hand D:     Pass. You have said your hand and partner wants to play in 2♥. A raise to 3♥ is totally unwarranted as it overtreads the Law (without being pushed) and it’s very likely to go down as partner has promised zero points and this hand has the worst shape possible.

Hand E:      Pass or 2♣? Pass is the ‘correct’ bid, but won’t you look silly when they run their 5 or 6 ♦ tricks and partner has a 4 (or even 5) card major suit? Now to bid Garbage Stayman here is not perfect – it’s great if partner turns up with a major suit (about a 50% chance) but even if he doesn’t have one then 2♥ may still be the best spot. It’s a gamble, but one that may be worth taking as you have a reasonable spot in 2♥ when it fails (when partner has no 4 or 5 card major).

Hand F:      Pass. A traditional 1NT overcall (15-18) is very dangerous opposite a passed partner when both opponents have bid. If you advertise a flat hand then either opponent can easily double you if they know that they have the balance of power; opposite a passed partner you could easily go for a big number.

 

Is it            1♦ - 2♣ - 3NT - 4♠ ? 4♠ here is natural and absolutely forcing. Responder has 12+

Forcing?    points with 5+ ♣’s and 4 ♠’s and is looking for slam. Hand C fits the bill. He bid ♣’s first to show his shape and now bids his ♠’s because opener has not denied 4 ♠’s with his 3NT bid (it could easily be a balanced 18-19 points with 4 ♠’s).

 

Leading     A low ♠. Do not lead the ♠K, declarer is marked with a ♠ honour and if it is Qxx

Quiz           or Jxxx then a low ♠ may enable your side to pick up the whole ♠ suit. Don’t listen to people to say to lead an honour in partner’s suit, that’s with Ax, Kx or Qx.