The bidding started with East passing and South opening 1NT to show a balanced 12-14 pts. West with 12 points might consider 2D, but with 8 losing trick count “LTC” you will need help from partner to make 90 points for achieving 8/13 tricks, whereas if you stay quiet, South has got to make 7/13 tricks to avoid losing 100 points for going one down vulnerable in 1NT.
Furthermore, West has the advantage of the opening lead, and is sitting over the opponent’s stronger hand (south). It is also possible that bidding 2D over 1NT may be conventional if you play Astro or Landy or similar.
Finally, if West bids, will that encourage North to find a major suit fit to produce the par result of 2H or 2S making for +110?
It is finely balanced judgement and experience that prevails, and despite most Wests trying 2D, they achieved 7/12 matchpoints for making it, or 2/12 matchpoints for the more likely result of going one down.
My partner chose to defend against 1NT and lead a low diamond. Declarer won with the 10 in dummy, and lead a club to the Q which was ducked and then JC which West won with the A. Having seen my 2D at trick 1, West knew I had 3, so lead KD to pin QD and force the A from South. South now tried the KS, but I ducked, and not wishing to guess who had the A or J tried a small H. West gratefully won with JH, then cashed J74 of diamonds, on which I followed with 6D then discarded 6C (encouraging in C) then 9S. West dutifully lead 8C and after North wins KC, East took the last 3 tricks with AS, AH, 9C for -2.
Good judgement in not making a risky overcall together with accurate defence enabled us to take all of the matchpoints. Could South have done better? Taking a chance on starting and continuing with Spades at trick 2 would have worked better, but there is still a lot to do to untangle 3S,1H,2D,1C making 7 tricks before E/W find their 7 tricks.
How did you do?
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