Board Suggested Bidding Commentary N E S W P P 1S 4C 4S P P P

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Arnold Sutton
5 years ago
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1 Board Suggested Bidding Commentary 1S 4C 4S BD: 25 S-A8752 Dlr: N H-A2 Vul: E-W D-J63 C-953 S-6 S-J4 H-J94 H-QT73 D-2 D-KQ9875 C-AKQJT762 C-8 S-KQT93 H-K865 D-AT4 C-4 N S E W BD: 26 S-5432 Dlr: E H-K432 Vul: Both D-K54 C-Q4 S-KJT8 S-AQ97 H-J65 H-8 D-Q3 D-AT C-K863 C-AJT752 S-6 H-AQT97 D-J98762 C-9 N S E W BD: 27 S-J865 Dlr: S H- Vul: None D-8732 C-T9532 S-A7 S-43 H-JT85 H-AK9743 D-KQJT4 D-A9 C-AK C-J64 S-KQT92 H-Q62 D-65 C-Q87 E W C 1H 1S 4S - - 1D 1H 1S 3H 3S 4NT 5H 6H Neither N or E has quite enough to open, but S should choose 1S over which W should pre-empt with his excellent C suit. W is guaranteed 8 tricks in Cs so a four level bid gives maximum pre-emptive value, whilst even if doubled, loses less than the value of game to NS. However, N has a great fit with S and will go on to 4S. With a possible 5 tricks for the defence, 5C is not such a sensible overcall by EW. The natural C lead and continuation will be ruffed by S, followed by 2 rounds of trumps, AK of Hs and 2 ruffs in dummy. Leading towards the A10 of Ds twice will ensure the overtrick. E chooses to open 1C with the intention to reverse into Ss next in order to show the playing strength of this hand. Over W s overcall of 1S, E has no hesitation in jumping to 4S. S s intervention may be just enough to deter E from investigating the slam, which will make because of N s problem in leading a D which fails to establish a trick [unless declarer goes in with the A]. The real point of interest in this hand is whether S should bid at all. He ideally would like a bid in his partnership system which showed two red suits {such a thing does exist, and is in common use by tournament players one such convention is called Wemble. This involves a cue bid of the opponent s suit showing two suits of the same colour [opposite to that of the opponent s bid], a bid of 2NT showing two suits of the same rank [again the other pair to the opponent s] and a jump bid to 3C showing two odd suits [different colour and different rank] }. Even though S is weak in points, any bid deters EW from reaching their maximum level and, if supported by partner, could identify a good sacrifice opportunity. In the suggested bidding, S chooses 1H rather than 1D because it would allow a simple rebid in the second suit without exaggerating strength. After a 1D opening by W, E might consider jumping to 2H, but there is plenty of time, so 1H will suffice. S may take the opportunity to show his S suit but, in any event, W will show both strength and H support by raising to 3H. N may add to the party by sticking in a further S bid, but E should not be deterred from investigating a slam. Remember S has passed on the first round, so will not have a strong hand in point terms, W has jumped the bidding. Blackwood asks for As and W shows the two missing ones. E has no doubt now about moving on to a slam in Hs. In fact 7H would be makeable except for the unfortunate 3-0 distribution and the fact that the QH is held by S. With more sophisticated cue bidding, it wouldn t surprise me if several pairs actually reached the grand slam and considered themselves very unlucky to go off! S will naturally lead the KS, after which the card play becomes straightforward: win the AS, draw 2 round of trumps, then run Ds until the QH is flushed out, Declarer ditching his second S on the third round of Ds.

2 BD: 28 S-AK Dlr: W H-KQT5 Vul: N-S D-A9763 C-K4 S-Q862 S-T53 H-764 H-J98 D-542 D-KQT C-A63 C-QJ52 S-J974 H-A32 D-J8 C-T987 N S E W BD: 29 S-AQ52 Dlr: N H-QT9 Vul: Both D-QJ95 C-K4 S-6 S-K84 H-KJ7 H-A5 D-AK73 D-T42 C-QT763 C-AJ982 S-JT973 H D-86 C-5 E W BD: 30 S Dlr: E H-JT86 Vul: None D-AT C-85 S-A2 S-Q3 H-K973 H-A54 D-K972 D-J543 C-JT4 C-Q972 S-KJT9 H-Q2 D-Q86 C-AK63 N S E W D 1S* 2H 3H^ 4H *Some may prefer 1NT as it limits hand value. ^ Having ignored the limit bid of 1NT, 3H is the weakest possible bid here. 1NT 2C X 2S 3C 3S* 3NT * This bid invites E to bid 3NT if he holds a S stop. - 1C 1S 2S N opens 1D with the intention of showing strength later by reversing into Hs. S has little value but is forced to keep the bidding open with 6 points and again after the reverse bid by N. The 4 H game is actually the only one makeable despite of the 4-3 fit. Having said this 4H only makes because of the 3-3 distributions in both Hs and Ds in the EW hands. Because of this, ruffing the third round of Ds in dummy before drawing trumps secures the contract. An overtrick is even possible after a C lead or if N risks a C towards the K earlier in the play. After N s 1NT opener, S looks for an escape route via Stayman. W takes the opportunity to show strength and his C holding by the double [it also helps E with a lead choice if NS become declarers]. N shows his 4 Ss, but E shows interest in Cs, knowing that EW hold a good fit and the balance of the points. W now looks for a game contract possibility and checks initially whether E has a S holding. Kxx is seen to be good enough, so E becomes declarer in 3NT. S naturally chooses the JS as his lead. E eventually wins the KS, crosses to dummy with a D or H and takes the marked finesse in Cs. 10 tricks are then easy 5Cs, 1S, 2Ds and 2Hs. N becomes declare in 2S after simple support from S. Although S has a 15 count, Q x in Hs is a bit thin to go to 1NT, particularly when a fit in Ss has already been identified. Some Ss may even jump to 3S an invitation which would be wisely ignored by N. There is an argument for W to come in perhaps with a double over 1C or, alternatively after 2S, at this vulnerability. Even 3Ds is a decent sacrifice as long as it doesn t get doubled and defended well! Against 2S, E will probably elect to lead a minor suit, with a C the safer of the two. Cashing the AH actually helps declarer significantly, with 10 tricks almost certain now.

3 BD: 31 S-KJ52 Dlr: S H-AK8 Vul: N-S D-32 C-K654 S-A87 S-943 H-65 H-JT72 D-AKT8 D-74 C-AQJ2 C-9873 S-QT6 H-Q943 D-QJ965 C-T N S E W BD: 32 S-K543 Dlr: W H-KT Vul: E-W D-K984 C-T62 S-QT8 S-976 H-854 H-AQ76 D-AQJT7 D-632 C-A8 C-QJ9 S-AJ2 H-J932 D-5 C-K7543 N S E W BD: 33 S-AJT73 Dlr: N H-2 Vul: None D-Q64 C-8763 S-K82 S-4 H-K875 H-QT94 D-KJ D-A853 C-QJ95 C-AKT2 S-Q965 H-AJ63 D-T972 C-4 E W C X 1D 1NT 2C* 2D NT 1H 3H 4H W has the strength to use a reverse later in the bidding so opens with 1C. N has values and opts for a double [in spite of short Ds as there is no better choice]. E could support Cs now, but this might be rather risky until others have shown relative strength. S bids naturally with 1D and W can just sit back now. N converts to 1NT, not really liking Ds. Now E has a chance to come in, having shown a poor hand with his initial pass. S doesn t want to defend Cs, so bids on in Ds although if he could be confident that N would take a double as a take-out bid, then that might appeal more. As it happens, the defence can only defeat 2D if W can make all 4 trumps. This will happen on occasion and will give a better score than 2C just made by EW because of the vulnerability. Any E whos leaves N to play in 1NT may regret the decision as this gives NS their best chance of a top. A simple bidding sequence after W elects to start with 1NT. 2D is the most likely resting place if W chooses to open 1D. A small S is N s most likely lead against the NT contract, but in spite of setting up at least 3 tricks in that suit, if declarer takes the right decisions, as many as 9 tricks can be made fairly easily 1S, 2Hs, 4Ds and 2Cs. E chooses the suit below the singleton to open 1H, W has 12 points and four card support so jumps to 3H. E converts to game, perhaps after some thought. The singleton S and control in the minor suits should influence E s decision. However, the NS distribution will probably bring the contract s downfall. S will lead his singleton C and needs to make two trumps as well as the A, which, coupled with N s AS will defeat the contract. Even if E guesses well, leading a small H to the 8 [if S plays low] initially, he cannot avoid S going in with his AH at some stage, switching to a S and suffering at least 1 C ruff. After that, there is no possibility of setting up extra tricks in Ss or Ds, so declarer can do no better than make 4 trumps [1 ruff in each hand], 3Cs and 2Ds. This leaves him down 1. Any cautious EW stopping and making 3H will obviously score well.

4 BD: 34 S-64 Dlr: E H-AK85 Vul: N-S D-AQT87 C-K5 S-K97 S-J853 H-Q63 H-T72 D-432 D-K9 C-A982 C-JT43 S-AQT2 H-J94 D-J65 C-Q76 N S E W BD: 35 S-T96542 Dlr: S H-3 Vul: E-W D-J986 C-J5 S-K8 S-Q7 H-AQ865 H-KJ972 D-KT7 D-32 C-A43 C-K762 S-AJ3 H-T4 D-AQ54 C-QT98 N S E W BD: 36 S-63 Dlr: W H-J62 Vul: Both D-AKQJ6 C-762 S-A9 S-KJT42 H-8754 H-KT9 D-75 D-T98 C-AT853 C-J9 S-Q875 H-AQ3 D-432 C-KQ4 N S E W D 1S 2H 3C* 3NT - - 1NT X 2S 3H 3S 4H 4S X D 3NT N reverses into 2H after opening 1D. S s 3C is fourth suit forcing and N has to gamble on 3NT. He knows that the strength is there, but may be temporarily relieved to see S does have some holding in Cs. Unfortunately for NS both finesses in Cs and Ss do not work and a C lead from E will defeat the contract. However, note that E must not discard any Hs when N runs his long Ds as this gives N the chance of finessing the QH if running the J. W can double S s 1NT with 16 points and N has an easy choice to show a weak hand with Ss. E has good values, but sees that a game possibility in Hs exists. 3H suggests this and W duly obliges. However, if S shows the slightest support for N s suit, N will opt for an obvious sacrifice in 4S given the favourable vulnerability. Even 3 off doubled will be better for NS than 4H making by EW. E will lead a H initially, after which EW will come to 2 tricks in Cs and one in each of Ss and Ds. N will probably open light with a solid D suit, leaving S with little choice to bid to game. Most players will opt to jump straight to 3NT, although others may temporise with an interim 1S. If S does bid IS, N will simply repeat Ds at the 2 level, over which S will jump to 3NT. In either case, W will probably lead a 4 highest C, S will win and run 5 D tricks followed by the winning H finesse. Now it all comes down to what EW have discarded on the, long Ds and how S elects to get off lead. Virtually all routes will lead to the loss of 5 tricks in Cs, Ss and possibly, 1H. Unless E or W make a real error of judgement, N will be penalised for the light opener and should lose the post-mortem with S who genuinely had the strength for his bidding. Of course, had Ss and Cs divided evenly, declarer might have had a better chance of success!

Dear teacher, Bidding. Opener's rebid. The opening 1NT. Game contracts. Opener rebids in notrumps. Distribution points. Overcalls

Dear teacher, Bidding. Opener's rebid. The opening 1NT. Game contracts. Opener rebids in notrumps. Distribution points. Overcalls Dear teacher, Nothing is more important to someone learning bridge than to have a good teacher. A good teacher will introduce the right topics at the right time, simplifying the learning process and making