Not so much a play problem, rather a bidding exercise - contributed by Neil Ogg |
Show Detail |
Interestingly enough both pairs who bid and made the Grand Slam on Board 21 play the Strong/Either Or Club System. This system uses a 1C opener to indicate either a strong 16+ point hand or a natural club suit. Responses then show points so the joint point holding can be established quickly and clearly. A further benefit of the system is that all Acol Strong 2 bids are replaced by 1C. This leaves the 2 level free for useful Weak 2 Pre-empts.
.
At Table 4 Bill, playing N with 16 points, opened the strong club. Holding 15 points I responded 1NT, showing 12+ points. Bill then bid 2NT indicating a flattish hand with at least 16 points, (he could have bid 3C showing strength and clubs but opted for the more economical 2NT). Given my distribution, a NT contract did not seem attractive. From Bill's bid I knew we were in slam territory as our minimum joint point holding was 31. I could also assume from Bill's bid that he held at least 2 or 3 clubs. A slam in clubs seemed the best option. I then bid 4C, (Progressive Gerber asking for Aces). Bill responded 4H showing one. I bid 4S asking for Kings. Bill responded 5S, (should have been 5H showing 3 but a natural mistake given the adrenaline flow!). Holding all the Aces and Kings, the long club suit and the Heart shortage I felt that a Grand Slam was on and bid 7C - which Bill played and made.
. Anyone interested in trying this system, which does help get to game and slam contracts but for some reason is rated Level 4 by the EBU, (although it is actually very simple), please contact me and I shall be pleased to supply a short description of it.
.
Neil
________________________
Note from Web Admin: This was Board 21 played on 28 October 2010 Congratulations to Neil & Bill who achieved a joint top for this board with a score of +2140 and were top N/S on the evening.
The contracts for this board were:
One other pair bid the Grand Slam in Clubs; Two pairs bid 5C making 13 tricks; One pair bid 6C making 13 tricks; One pair bid 3NT making 12 tricks; One pair bid 3NT making 13 tricks.
|
|
|
|