6 Different Results - great duplicate hand!
East opens a standard weak 2♠
South will probably bid 2NT (16-18HCPs) and very good stops in ♠ s, though being minimum some will pass. The benefit of pre-emptive bids!
North has the most difficult decision 2NT (correct if partner is at the weak end of his bid), 3NT (correct if partner is at the top end) or 3♣ your stayman (puppet or normal - that will committ you to a minimum of 3N) where partner will show 4♥ s and you end in 4♥
If you are going to game, go via Stayman as Norths hand is great for a ♥ contract and with the weak 2♠ statistically partner is more likely to have a fit.
So now the play!!
2♠ should make, any lead apart from A♠ should make but it is easy to for East to lose control of trumps if ♥ s are continually played or East misses the chance to play ♣ s. So -1, = and +1!
2 pairs were in 4♥ - it should be off one, but one pair made. ♠ lead with the 2N overcall is probably not best. Singleton trump leads are not normally good. Q♦ doubleton is probably not good. So the best lead is probably the J♣ or a low ♣ and the contract is one off!
3N should and did go one off, but only with the obvious ♠ lead. Leading Partner's suit is often best, even when it isn't as partner cannot criticise!
|