O'Kennedy Cup at Dun Laoghaire Bridge Club - Sunday 19 January 2025

Q.  Paul Williams

I am in the West seat playing Strong & 5, club can be 2, non-forcing.  I open 1♣️ and my left hand opponent overcalls 2♦️, alerted as a weak jump. Partner bids 2♠️ with South calling 4♦️. I bid 5♣️ followed by three passes.  How could or should we have overcome the opponents bidding to reach a slam?

#1 Kevin O'Dea 24-Jan

Preempts work.  If you were playing against me, I would have bid 5♦ as South over East's 2♠. What would you bid now?  I think your 5♣ bid is enough. Perhaps your partner could have bid 6♣ , given that you had bid a 5♣ (Vulnerable)? The East hand has improved a lot when opponents bid & support ♦ .  East's ♣ Q5 is great support.

#2 Denis Mortell 24-Jan

As Kevin says, preempts work.  West has opened the bidding and East has a five loser hand - though no fit as yet. Double-dummy, a t/o double works well here. But, if West's 1♣ opening was intended to be a more common 12-14, 1NT rebid, e/w may need to find their 5/3 major fit, if there is one. So, I prefer East's 2♠ to a t/o double. Over 4♦ by South, if West passes, suggesting 12-14, I rebid 4♥  with East's cards. In the actual hand, after a free bid of 5♣ by West vulnerable, isn't East worth 6♣? With three tricks, a singleton diamond and Qx in trumps, I think so.