Agony Uncle Robin's comments on this one. Robin was sitting North.
So many different sequences for one hand.
I think that the North hand is too strong for a 1NT bid. So I opened 1♣. East bid a diamond (I prefer a double on a 5-4-4- 0 hand which has so much potential, even if a little light on the points !) My Partner bid 2NT, and I (who was going to rebid 1NT to show 15-16) naturally bid 3NT over a balanced 11 or so points (well 10, but look at the source of tricks in clubs !).
| N |
E |
S |
W |
| 1♣ |
1♦ |
2NT |
P |
| 3NT |
P |
P |
P |
Liz got the duly appointed diamond lead to the Ace, and a diamond continuation. She could now afford to try the heart finesse, seeing as she had 6 clubs, 2 diamonds and a heart for 9 tricks, and even if the heart finesse lost, spades offered a trick if the opposition played the suit. The finesse won, so she made 10 tricks, for a fortunate top.
Other Bidding
| 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
|
| N |
E |
S |
W |
| 1NT |
P |
2♠ |
P |
| 3♣ |
P |
P |
P |
|
|
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| 7 losers, and a great source of tricks, 3C is not enough for me on this hand; prefer 2NT |
Same comment as bidding example 1. |
Now, I like the double on the East hand. The best bid from South I think, would be 2NT - showing a good raise to 3♣. Same applies as
1H dble 2NT P
where 2NT shows a (non-forcing) raise to 3♥, with a hand that would have bid 1♥ ...P... 3♥ in the olden days ! Don't forget that the 3♣ bid is weaker than if there had been no intervening double ! So, my suggestion to you is that any sequence 1of a suit ... dble 2NT should show a GOOD raise to 3 in the suit. I would have bid 3NT over 2NT, hoping that Liz had sufficient control in the diamond suit. Even 3♦ (as a sort of asking bid) would have elicited 3NT from Liz, with K Q x, and on reflection, as long as partner understood it, I think 3♦ is a better bid than 3NT. If you think about it, a bid of one of the (Presumed) opposition suits, must be seeking help in that suit, otherwise, you would just bid 3NT.
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Pair 7 simply bid like this, to the best contract. They had a low diamond lead from AJ to 5, and made their contract for a good score. |
Learning points
- A 2NT bid over the double, to show a good raise to the 3 level in the opening suit.
- Do not be frightened of doubling an opening bid, if you are short in points, but have a 5-4-4-0 or a 4-4-4-1 hand. Make your double, and then shut up!
- Always consider opening 1 of a suit with a balanced 14 count, when you can make a rebid of 1NT to show 15-16, especially with a good 5 card suit, like A K x x x. Also, You should put on your system card, that 1NT could be a very good 11 points, up to a very bad 15 points. This is safe against any complaint from the opposition.
So :
| N |
E |
S |
W |
| 1♣ |
dble |
2NT |
P |
| 3♦* |
P |
3NT |
P |
| P |
P |
|
|
*3♦ will normally be forcing, but also may well be looking for 3NT, so Partner shouldn't bid 4♦ , or any bid past 3NT!
The only thing is that I abrogate (Haven't used that word in years !) a suit of AJ652 (diamonds) for an overcall - it is looking to get a lead from 9x or 8x in diamonds, which will do your cause no good whatsoever.
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