From a recent BBO team match

[Gerben42]

My team didn't get all of them right, all actions taken here seemed reasonabe though. Please give your thoughts but refrain from saying "doing X is stupid" pls.

 

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Opps silent.

 

1♣ - 1♥ (A direct 2♥ would not be strong)

1NT (12 - 14)

 

What is your bidding plan? (also see hidden line)

 

(If you bid NMF or similar partner shows a minimum with 2 Hearts)

 

 

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

We are silent, opps bid:

 

Pass - 1♠

2♣* - 2♥ * Drury

2♠ - 3♦

4♠ - Pass

 

Your lead.

 

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Auction:

1♠ ? 2♠ Pass

3♠* ?

 

* Invitational

 

What do you bid on first and second turn?

 

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Opps bid 1♦ - 1♥ - 4♥, your lead.

[hrothgar]

1. Nasty hand. I'll start with NMF. When partner shows a minimum with a doubleton heart, I'm in something of a pickle. Give partner a hand like

 

♠ Kxxx

♥ Qx

♦ KJx

♣ Qxxx

 

and slam looks pretty damn good. The key card would seem to be the Queen of Hearts. If we have a trump loser, than its much harder to construct a hand that can make slam but still be a minimum 1NT response. Case in point, slam is certainly reasonable on

 

♠ Kxxx

♥ xx

♦ AJT

♣ Axxx

 

However, I'm not sure if this control rich 12 count is a minimum. I suppose that the most reasonable hand that would have a good chance at 6♥ but be missing the Q♥ is something like

 

♠ xxx

♥ xx

♦ AJT

♣ AQJxx

 

This is a pretty narrow target to be aiming at (I doubt that most folks will be able to place the key jacks and 10s).

 

In any case, I think that slam has enough chances that I'm willing to start a cue bidding sequence. However, if I can't place the Queen of Hearts somehow (like Keycard) I'm gonna be quite conservative.

[hrothgar]

Hand 2:

 

Low club

[hrothgar]

Hand 3:

 

2♥ followed by Double

[hrothgar]

Hand 4:

 

Leading whatever Spade is "right" from xxxx

[Finch]

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Opps silent.

 

1♣ - 1♥ (A direct 2♥ would not be strong)

1NT (12 - 14)

 

What is your bidding plan? (also see hidden line)

 

(If you bid NMF or similar partner shows a minimum with 2 Hearts)

Bidding 7NT here is stupid, by the way.

I'll bid 3H if that's natural and forcing (I don't play NMF but I assume we've done something like ....2D - 2NT). I will not make any other slam moves unless partner shows enthusiasum. If he bids 3NT next I shall respect it.

[Finch]

[hv=d=y&v=t&s=s752hat98dq92ck43]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

We are silent, opps bid:

 

Pass - 1♠

2♣* - 2♥ * Drury

2♠ - 3♦

4♠ - Pass

 

Your lead.

Was 2H natural, or some sort of relay? What was 3D? What would it have meant if partner doubled 2C? (take-out of spades, or clubs?).

 

If 2H & 3D were natural(ish) so opener has a 5431 or similar I lead a trump. Not something I do that often, but I don't see much future in clubs.

[Finch]

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=shaj9853dq974cakq]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Auction:

1♠ ? 2♠ Pass

3♠* ?

 

* Invitational

 

What do you bid on first and second turn?

First turn: 2H

Second turn: to I really believe 3S is invitational - are they solid citizens? If so, I pass (but I'll double 4S if RHO raises). If they look as if they might 'invite' with a 6331 10-count for fun, I'll double 3S... but this could go nastily wrong.

[Finch]

[hv=d=l&v=b&s=st743haj5d754cq75]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

Opps bid 1♦ - 1♥ - 4♥, your lead.

A black suit.

Swap the black suits round and a spade is absolutely clear.

Here it seems a bit of a guess: I need less in clubs from partner to make a club right, but then declarer might have club length.

 

As dummy is likely to be 2-2 in the blacks anyway, I lead a spade. Hoping for a trick in each suit (or two trumps), or alternatively the chance to give declarer a club guess later.

[han]

1. Nasty hand. I'll start with NMF. When partner shows a minimum with a doubleton heart, I'm in something of a pickle. Give partner a hand like

 

♠ Kxxx

♥ Qx

♦ KJx

♣ Qxxx

 

and slam looks pretty damn good.

You would be missing two aces Richard.

[Gerben42]

Was 2H natural, or some sort of relay? What was 3D? What would it have meant if partner doubled 2C? (take-out of spades, or clubs?).

 

2♥ was natural, as was 3♦. Partner could have doubled 2♣ for take out.

 

Second turn: to I really believe 3S is invitational - are they solid citizens?

 

Unknown French, so assuming solid citizens, also from rest of the match it seems they were.

 

You would be missing two aces Richard.

 

Hmm then at least it won't be "pretty damn good"...

 

I'll bid 3H if that's natural and forcing

 

That would be natural and invitational. You could bid NMF followed by 3♥ that would show a 6-card and forcing. If you opt for that, partner bids 3NT.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi Gerben,

 

since I assume that was your league match yesterday with smirny,

I never would claim, any action made was ... .-)

 

1) Either you bid 4H, the lazy bid (I am quite often lazy)

or you go scientific: 2D, followed by 3H showing a strong

hand with hearts and slam interest, which you have

if partner shows a hand with good controls and max.

 

I give up.

 

2) Spade, I try to go passive

3) 2H, followed by dbl or Pass, depends on mood

4) spade

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[inquiry]

1) I would use 2!D as GF xzy if available, if not, 2D as nmf. If partner shows heart over xyz, I will bid 3H setting trumps and as a slam try (I have 36 Zar points and partner should have at least 26 putting us in slam range. I need a ♦ control from partner to try for slam. I would hate to get to high if he had KQx QJx JTx Axxx for instance. Once partner shows a minimum hand with only ♥, I would apply the brakes, as regardless of the zar point total, misfits have to be devaluated. I would consider both 3NT and 4♥, my scattered values and those nines suggest 3NT, especially if partner a) could have 4♠ and :P could have one heart (probably can't have both however)./

 

2) They have stretched to game and declearer has bid three suits, must be short in clubs. I would lead a spade now, and depending upon what we discover, everytime I get in.

 

3) Ugly hand. The two strategies (other than if you play at these colors (1s)-3H as an intermediate hand) are dble first then bid hearts and bid hearts first and then double. There are problems with both. With a spade void if you double first, you may not get a chance to show your hearts. Likewise with a spade void, if you bid hearts first, you maybe put into the awkward position of considering a reopening double with a void in their suit... this is something I am lothe to do without a lot of reasonably sure tricks in my hand.

 

So I will bid 2♥ initially, as I may never get a chance to show my suit if I don't bid it now. Over game try three spades, I guess I will reluctantly have to pass. I have 16 hcp, RHO had an opener and LHO had an invitational raise, my 16 and their expected 20 to 24 hcp leave partner with from 0 to 4 hcp, and they are probably on the upper end of that range. So that two bad things can happen if I double. First, partner might bid 4 of some suit and we get doubled and go down a few, second, partner who is probalby has 3 or 4 spades might pass hoping for the best with his weak hand (and expecting me to have a spade). We might beat 3S one, or it might make. But at imps I am willing to accept my +50 to avoid doubling them into game. If 3S was preemptive raise, I would double at my second oppotunity.

 

4) Four heart bidder has a big hand but didn't open 2NT. So the assumption is he is distibutional with a source of tricks (diamonds) and strong. Hopeing to set up quick tricks in spades seems to be a pipe dream, but I do have the club queen, so I hope to hit a useful club combination in partner hand and would guess to lead a club.

[Walddk]

My team didn't get all of them right, all actions taken here seemed reasonabe though. Please give your thoughts but refrain from saying "doing X is stupid" pls.

 

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9

 

 

opps silent.

 

1♣ - 1♥ (a direct 2♥ would not be strong)

1nt (12 - 14)

 

what is your bidding plan? (also see hidden line)

  (if you bid nmf or similar partner shows a minimum with 2 hearts)

 

dealer: you vul: they scoring: imp]133|100|Scoring: IMP ♠ 752 ♥ AT98 ♦ Q92 ♣ K43  [/hv]   We are silent, opps bid:   Pass - 1♠ 2♣* - 2♥    * Drury 2♠ - 3♦ 4♠ - Pass   Your lead.   Dealer: East Vul: N/S Scoring: IMP ♠ [space] ♥ AJ9853 ♦ Q974 ♣ AKQ     Auction: 1♠  ? 2♠ Pass 3♠* ?   * Invitational   What do you bid on first and second turn?   Dealer: LHO Vul: Both Scoring: IMP ♠ T743 ♥ AJ5 ♦ 754 ♣ Q75     Opps bid 1♦ - 1♥ - 4♥, your lead. 1. I am tempted to bid a straightforward 4♥. OK then, let me be scientific and bid 2♦. Partner shows a minimum with a doubleton heart. Now 3♥ will ask where he comes from, and if I get 3NT I will pass. He has xx in hearts, so 3NT could well be a better contract than 4♥. He had the option of raising to 4♥ with a couple of aces and kings. If he doesn't, all his values seem suited for notrump.   2. Spade. Trying to prevent heart ruffs.   3. 2♥ first. If 3♠ is indeed invitational, I will keep quiet now. I don't want to play on a 4-3 fit at the 4-level, and I am not particularly happy if partner leaves the double in, sitting under the suit with (likely) 4 trumps. I can't even be certain of defeating 4♠.   4. Spade. Dummy may have a lot of shape, but it may also be pretty balanced (19 count) 4432, 3442 among the possibilities. Every time dummy is shortish in clubs, I want to lead a spade. The same applies if he is 4441 or 3451. Leading a club could be right if his shape is 1453, but in that case I don't think a club would help anyway.   Roland

[Gerben42]

(other than if you play at these colors (1s)-3H as an intermediate hand)

 

You're right - I should have done that at my table.

[whereagles]

1.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

1♣ - 1♥ (A direct 2♥ would not be strong)

1NT (12 - 14)

 

 

2.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

Pass - 1♠

2♣* - 2♥ * Drury

2♠ - 3♦

4♠ - Pass

 

Your lead.

 

3.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

1♠ ? 2♠ Pass

3♠* ?

 

* Invitational. What do you bid on first and second turn?

 

4.

[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sa2hak9732dq97ck9]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

Opps bid 1♦ - 1♥ - 4♥, your lead.

1. 4♥. Slam needs a magic hand from opener, like Kxx Qxx KJx Axxx. Very hard to find out about it, so I just finish this off.

 

2. Trump seems right. Would lead king of clubs if I had 4 trumps, though.

 

3. This might be a bit biased from knowing the rest of the auction, but 2♥, followed by dbl.

 

4. x♣. Prefer to lead from strength than length. ♣Q could be better, but I'll settle for a bread-and-butter smallish one.

[mikeh]

1. If 2♦ as art gf is available, I use it and bid the minimum number of ♥ next, expecting partner to upgrade any hand with the ♥Q and some controls. I am not playing 3N.

 

2. trump... when in doubt, don't lead trump... unless the auction tells you to.. and this one does.

 

3. 2♥ then double, but Frances is right in that this could be ugly

 

4. appropriate ♠ spot depending on lead methods.

[MickyB]

Dealer: North Vul: None Scoring: IMP

♠ A2 ♥ AK9732 ♦ Q97 ♣ K9

 

Opps silent.

 

1♣ - 1♥ (A direct 2♥ would not be strong)

1NT (12 - 14)

 

What is your bidding plan?

If it makes a difference to anyone, the actual auction was 1♣:1♦, 1♥, where 1♦ showed 4+hearts and 1♥ was likely to be good 11-13 balanced. If you bid 2♦ (XYZ), partner will bid 2♠ (which I think promises 4=2=3=4 shape).

[hrothgar]

<!-- ONEHAND begin --><table border='1'> <tr> <td> <table> <tr> <td> Dealer: </td> <td> North </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Vul: </td> <td> None </td> </tr> <tr> <td> Scoring: </td> <td> IMP </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td> <table> <tr> <th> <span class='spades'> ♠ </span> </th> <td> A2 </td> </tr> <tr> <th> <span class='hearts'> ♥ </span> </th> <td> AK9732 </td> </tr> <tr> <th> <span class='diamonds'> ♦ </span> </th> <td> Q97 </td> </tr> <tr> <th> <span class='clubs'> ♣ </span> </th> <td> K9 </td> </tr> </table> </td> <td>  </td> </tr> </table><!-- ONEHAND end -->

 

Opps silent.

 

1♣ - 1♥ (A direct 2♥ would not be strong)

1NT (12 - 14)

 

What is your bidding plan?

If it makes a difference to anyone, the actual auction was 1♣:1♦, 1♥, where 1♦ showed 4+hearts and 1♥ was likely to be good 11-13 balanced. If you bid 2♦ (XYZ), partner will bid 2♠ (which I think promises 4=2=3=4 shape).

If I have complete shape at 2♠, there's very little reason not to explore for slam.

 

The opponents don't have a good sac (especially if partner has a 4=2=3=4 pattern)

 

If I'm think about bidding 6, I'm not going to worry about them setting 4, so I'm not going to worry about the information that the auction has exchanged. (Yes, its unfortunate that relay responder will be declaring the ♥ contract)

 

I see little reason not to take advantage of all our cool toys...

[Codo]

1. 4 ♥, no bidding plan.

2. a trump

3. I had bid 2♥ and pass. But both bids had been painfull...

4. I don´t see, that this bidding screamd for a special lead. Opener had no splinter and no 4 ♦ call, so he has a (semi-) balanced raise...So I belive hes has some balanced 18-20. I lead a trump, even fearing, that this can cost a trick.