Our website is www.pattayabridge.com Club News Sheet – No. 291

Our blogsite is www.pattayabridge.wordpress.com

My home phone is 038 422924 and my mobile number is 083 6066880 8^th June 2008

It is best to use my home number to contact me unless I am at the bridge club.

My e-mail is terry@pattayabridge.com or pattayabridge@yahoo.com

My MSN messenger ID is tj_quested@hotmail.com

Mon 2^nd 1^st Ted & Johannes = Bob & Robbie 57%

Wed 4^th 1^st Dave & Terry 65% 2^nd Jan & Peter 63%

Fri 6^th 1^st Dave & Ivy 68% 2^nd Paul & Gene 55%

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Bidding Quiz

Hand A Hand B With Hand A you elect to open 1♦ in 1^st seat. Partner responds 1♠, what do you bid?

♠ 8 ♠ -

♥ AKJ9 ♥ J8 With Hand B you open 1♦ and LHO overcalls 1♥. This is passed

♦ AKQ85 ♦ AK8753 round to you, what do you do?

♣ A73 ♣ KQJ62

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

♠ AK86 ♠ AK986

♥ AK10964 ♥ AK1096 With Hand D RHO opens 1♣, what do you bid?

♦ QJ4 ♦ QJ4

♣ - ♣ -

Hand E Hand F With Hand E you open 1♠ and partner bids 2♣,

(a) What do you bid? (b) What do you bid if playing Acol?

♠ J8743 ♠ 5

♥ A94 ♥ K4

♦ 4 ♦ QJ10952 With Hand F partner opens 1♠ and you bid 2♦. Partner then

♣ AKQJ ♣ AQ96 bids 3♣, what do you bid?

Bidding Sequence Quiz

G 1♠ pass 2♣ pass (a) Is 2♦ forcing in Standard American?

2♦ (b) Is 2♦ forcing when playing Acol?

H 1♠ pass 2♣ pass (a) Is 3♣ forcing in Standard American?

3♣ (b) Is 3♣ forcing when playing Acol?

J 1♠ pass 2♣ pass (a) What is 3♦ in Standard American?

3♦ (b) What is 3♦ when playing Acol?

K 1♦ pass 1♠ pass What is 3♥?

3♥
Michaels, double or Overcall? Board 28 from Wednesday 4^th

Dealer: ♠ AK86 Table A

West ♥ AK10964 West(B) North(C) East South

N-S vul ♦ QJ4 1♦ 1♥ (1) pass pass (2)

♣ - 2♣ (3) 3♥ (4) 4♣ 4♥

5♣ dbl all pass

♠ - N ♠ Q32

♥ J8 W E ♥ Q2 Expert Table

♦ AK8753 S ♦ 962 West(B) North(C) East South

♣ KQJ62 ♣ 109874 1♦ 1♥ (1) pass pass (2)

♠ J109754 2♣ (3) 2♠ (4) 4♣ 4♠

♥ 753 pass pass 5♣ 5♠

♦ 10 pass (5) pass pass

♣ A53

Table A: (1) What did you bid with this North hand C in this week’s quiz? The options are double, 2♥ or 2♦ (Michaels). I don’t like double as partner may well bid ♣’s and when you then bid the ♥’s the ♠ suit is lost. I don’t like Michaels 2♦ (and then bid ♥’s) because, although it promises both majors, it is a distortion of the shape. I think it’s best to overcall 1♥ and then reverse into ♠’s next go.

(2) A raise to 2♥ is a possibility.

(3) What did you bid with this West hand B in this week’s quiz? This shapely hand is NOT a good hand for the normally automatic re-opening double. Bidding the ♣’s is obviously very sensible and the alternative is pass (where are the ♠’s?).

(4) North got this wrong, this shows a strong hand but unfortunately the ♠ suit is now lost.

Table B: (4) Our expert North reverses into ♠’s.

(5) West now has the option of sacrificing in 6♣ or defending 5♠.

And what happened? Two pairs played in 5♣ doubled -2 for an average. One pair were pushed to 6♣ and went -4 for a bottom. Just one N-S pair played in 5 of a major. They actually played in 5♥ doubled which looks like it should make but they went minus one for a bottom. I believe that West doubled and so North reasonably played him for ♥QJx.

The bottom lines: -

- With a strong 6-4 hand, overcall the 6-carder and then bid the 4-carder.

There was a discussion after the hand as to how to bid the North hand. One player said to double and another said to bid Michaels. I have already expressed my views (overcall).

Look for the slam? Board 7 from Wednesday 4^th

Dealer: ♠ A10742 Table A

West ♥ AJ West North East South(F)

N-S vul ♦ A7 pass 1♠ pass 2♦

♣ K853 pass 3♣ pass 4♣ (1)

pass 4NT (2) pass 5♦

♠ KQJ98 N ♠ 63 pass 6♣ all pass

♥ 1083 W E ♥ Q97652

♦ 63 S ♦ K84 Expert Table

♣ J72 ♣ 104 West North East South(F)

♠ 5 pass 1♠ pass 2♦

♥ K4 pass 3♣ pass 4♣ (1)

♦ QJ10952 pass 4♦ (2) pass 4♥ (3)

♣ AQ96 pass 4♠ (4) pass 5♥ (5)

pass 6♣ (6) all pass

Table A: (1) What did you bid with this South hand F in this week’s quiz? Should you raise ♣’s (and thus go past 3NT) or protect your ♥K with 3NT? Partner’s 3♣ bid has presumably shown a decent hand and I prefer to look for the ♣ slam with 4♣.

(2) RKCB for clubs. But note that using 4NT as Blackwood when ♣’s are trumps is very dodgy – you a virtually forced to bid slam unless partner responds 5♣ (whatever that means in your version of Blackwood).

‘Expert’ (2) Our experts play Kickback of course, where 4 of the suit above trumps asks for

Table: keycards. It really is important to play something other than 4NT as the keycard ask if a minor suit is trumps.

(3) 1 keycard; there is absolutely no advantage in playing 1430 when using Kickback.

(4) Do you have the trump queen? Note that at Table A North had no room to ask for the trump queen, there is always room to ask (and stop in 5 of the trump suit with no queen) when playing Kickback.

(5) Yes, I have the trump queen and the ♥K.

(6) Knowing you have the ♣Q, I feel happier than those guys at table A.

And what happened? Just the one pair bid 6♣. Other contracts were 3NT+3, 3NT+2 and 5♣+1.

The bottom lines: -

- The trump queen ask, unlike a king ask, does not guarantee all keycards and asker may well have a keycard missing and be looking for the small slam, aiming to sign off in 5 of the trump suit with no trump queen opposite.

- 1430 is designed to give more room for the trump queen ask; but it really is a waste of time – especially if a minor suit is trumps. Kickback is the only real solution.

- The sequence 1♠ - 2♦ - 3♣ generally shows a good opening (even if you do not play it as a game forcing reverse). With a weak opening opener should rebid 2♠.

Double for a lead Board 28 from Monday 2^nd

When the opponents freely bid to 3NT, then a double by the player not on lead asks partner to lead dummy’s first bid suit. It worked a treat on this deal.

Dealer: ♠ 9532 West(A) North East South

West ♥ Q85 1♦ pass 1♠ (1) pass

N-S vul ♦ 1072 3♥ (2) pass 3♠ (3) pass

♣ J96 3NT pass pass (4) dbl (5)

all pass

♠ 8 N ♠ KJ64

♥ AKJ9 W E ♥ 1062

♦ AKQ85 S ♦ 96

♣ A73 ♣ 10842

♠ AQ107

♥ 743

♦ J43

♣ KQ5

(1) East did not relish the thought of playing in 1♦ and so bid 1♠.

(2) What did you bid with this West hand A in this week’s quiz? A jump to 3NT is not a good bid as partner is unlimited and there may well be a slam. The best bid is 2♥, a reverse which is forcing (but maybe not in Standard French?). This 3♥ bid is wrong because it’s a splinter agreeing ♠’s and E-W had agreed that they play splinters in all positions.

(3) With a minimum East hopes to sign off in the ♠ fit at a low level.

(4) East assumed that West did not realize that his bid at (2) was a splinter.

(5) This is a good bid – it asks partner to lead a ♠.

And what happened? 3NT* went -2 for a top to N-S. Another West was in 3NT but did not get the double and so with no ♠ lead it made. 3NT was played by East at another table and went just one down.

The bottom lines: -

- A jump to one above the natural forcing bid is a splinter.

Dave’s Column Here is this week’s Dave input involving the best play for the contract.

North South You are South, declarer in 4♠ after East has opened 1NT.

♠ 6543 ♠ AK10987

♥ J94 ♥ 32

♦ Q98 ♦ K105

♣ AK9 ♣ 32

West leads the ♥5. East wins with the ♥Q and continues with the ♥K and ♥A which you ruff. West followed with the ♥6 and ♥7. You play the ♠A,K and East follows with the ♠Q and ♠J, West discarding a small ♣. You now play ♣A,K and ruff a ♣, East playing the ♣6,J,Q. How do you play the ♦ suit?

Dave’s Column answer Board 26 from Wednesday 4^th

Dealer: ♠ 6543 West North East South

East ♥ J94 - 1NT 2♠ (1)

Both vul ♦ Q98 pass 3♠ (2) pass 4♠

♣ AK9 all pass

♠ 2 N ♠ QJ (1) This is the bidding from the book, 2♠

♥ 10765 W E ♥ AKQ8 being natural and promising a 6-card

♦ A73 S ♦ J642 suit.

♣ 108754 ♣ QJ6 (2) This hand is worth an effort opposite a

♠ AK10987 6-card ♠ suit.

♥ 32

♦ K105

♣ 32

East has turned up with three points in ♠’s, nine in ♥’s and three in ♣’s for a total of 15. He cannot have the ♦A as that would give him 19. So play a ♦ to the ♦Q and finesse the ♦10 on the way back. If East has the ♦J you make your contract.

And what happened at the Pattaya bridge Club. Everybody made 10 tricks in ♠’s but only one pair bid game. At our table South bid 2♠ at (1) in error (they were playing it as 5 ♠’s and a minor) and North passed, as would I.

Dave’s 2^nd Column Here is Dave’s 2^nd input involving the best play for the contract.

West East You are West, declarer in 7NT. North leads a ♠, plan the play.

♠ AKQ ♠ J106

♥ QJ10 ♥ A42

♦ 32 ♦ AKJ104

♣ KQJ109 ♣ A5

Dave’s 2^nd Column answer Board 27 from Wednesday 4^th

Dealer: ♠ 9872 West North East South

South ♥ 83 - - - pass

Love all ♦ 9865 1♣ pass 1♦ pass

♣ 832 2NT (1) pass 7NT (2) all pass

♠ AKQ N ♠ J106 (1) 18-19 points

♥ QJ10 W E ♥ A42 (2) This is the bidding in the book, at our club

♦ 32 S ♦ AKJ104 everybody bid a more modest 6NT.

♣ KQJ109 ♣ A5

♠ 543 Anyway, North leads the ♠9, what is the best

♥ K9765 play if you are in 7NT?

♦ Q7

♣ 764

You have eleven top tricks and can make 7NT if either red suit finesse works. Which one should you take?

You should combine your chances by playing the ♦A,K, if the ♦Q does not drop then take the ♥ finesse.

And what happened at the Pattaya Bridge Club? Everybody bid to 6NT and obviously took a red suit finesse immediately to ensure the contract. Cashing the ♦A,K when only in 6NT risks going down unnecessarily.

Restricted Choice? Board 24 from Friday 6^th

Dealer: ♠ 6432 West North East South

West ♥ AK6 pass 1♦ pass 1♠

Love all ♦ K982 pass 2♠ all pass

♣ A4

This was the bidding at all three tables on Friday.

N West leads the ♥Q which you win in dummy.

W E You play a ♠ from dummy, East plays the ♠8, you

S play the ♠A and West plays the ♠Q.

What now?

♠ AK1097

♥ 43 Do you play the ♠K hoping for a 2-2 ♠ split or do

♦ 1073 you enter dummy and finesse the ♠10?

♣ 862 Are the odds about even or is one play definitely

superior? Answer on the next page.

Bidding Quiz Answers

Hand A: 2♥, a forcing reverse showing power and shape. 3NT is not a good alternative as partner is unlimited and you may well miss slam.

Hand B: 2♣, or maybe pass. This is not a hand for the usual automatic re-opening double as it is too shapely with few defensive tricks.

Hand C&D: These two hands are very similar, with a ♥ moved to a ♠ for Hand D.

So what are the options? – Double, an overcall or a Michaels cue bid?

Hand C: With a 6-card major it’s best to bid it, so bid 1♥ with the intention of reversing into ♠’s next go. Doubling and then bidding ♥’s over partner’s expected 2♣ response would show a good hand with a good ♥ suit but a ♠ fit may well then get lost.

Hand D: With 5-5 it’s different. With a medium strength hand it’s best to overcall the higher ranking, but with either a weak (6-9) hand or a very strong hand (as this one) then it’s best to start with a Michaels cue bid of 2♦ and then bid on. Double is again a poor choice as you are fixed when partner responds in ♣’s.

Hand E: This is the same Hand E from news-sheet 288. I said to bid 3♦ if you play two-over-one (that was my ‘expert’ sequence’) but was unsure in other systems. I sent the hand off to Sally Brock to find the Acol Expert’s opinion. Here is her reply to my e-mail:

“In modern Acol (i.e. BM Standard), a 2♦ rebid over 2♣ is forcing and 3♦ would be a splinter, just as in your ‘expert’ sequence in your attached document. Thereafter the auction would continue exactly as that.”

So the answer to (a) and (b), or in any normal system, is a 3♦ splinter.

Hand F: 4♣. Forcing and looking for slam. 3NT (thus protecting the ♥K) was a popular choice when the hand occurred but is a bit pessimistic. Partner’s 3♣ bid should show a good/distributional hand and 6♣ looks like a good bet.

Bidding Sequence Quiz

G 1♠ pass 2♣ pass 2♦ is forcing in either system.

2♦

H 1♠ pass 2♣ pass (a) 3♣ is up to partnership agreement. Forcing is best.

3♣ (b) 3♣ is not forcing playing Acol.

J 1♠ pass 2♣ pass 3♦ is a splinter agreeing ♣’s in either system.

3♦

K 1♦ pass 1♠ pass 3♥ is a splinter agreeing ♠’s in any system.

3♥

Restricted Choice?

You should enter dummy and take the finesse. I went all over this in very fine detail in news-sheet 288. Taking the finesse works 66% of the time. However, it seems that 100% of the declarers in the Pattaya bridge club don’t believe me (or the laws of mathematics) and every single declarer tried to prove me wrong by played for the drop. They failed; East held ♠J85.