Match point dilemma

[whereagles]

MPs, V vs V. Who should have bid what?

 

[hv=d=w&v=b&n=sjxxxxhxdqtxxckjx&w=stxxhakjtxd9xcaxx&e=saxxh9xxxdajxxcxx&s=skqhqxxdkxxcqt987]399|300|Scoring: MP

West East

1♥ 2♥

(all pass)

 

Result: E/W +110[/hv]

In the end East said he would have taken a push to 3♥, which goes the obvious 1 down (this declarer would not have guessed trumps).

 

Should South have bid 3♣ vulnerable?

Should North have reopened 2♠?

Was it just bad luck?

[inquiry]

North could have reopened, not with a 2♠ bid, but rather with a double. The sad news is after the double, if EW take the push to 3♥ THEY ARE MORE likely to guess the hearts right. And getting to 3♣ vul is not bed of roses. You don't show the diamond 8, if EAST has it, they have 2♦ tricks (after ♥A and diamond 9 switch, and without it, EW take a diamond ruff instead of two top diamonds. To go along with the ♠A, ♣A, ♦A, and ♥A so 3♣ is down at least (and probably only) one, but at matchpoints a good chance that one would be doubled, and vul.

 

The fact that NS got a bad board is due to the conservative and lucky bidding of only 2♥ with EAST hand that included 4 card support, two aces, and a club ruffing value and a useful jack. I think the bidding was fine... sometimes they get you, here they did.

[awm]

I would balance 2♠ with the north hand. Coming into this auction as south is way too dangerous with a balanced hand and dubious values. But north is in the passout seat -- he knows opener is not sitting in wait with some huge hand. He has singleton heart in a fit-showing auction. Double will win when passing out 2♥X is right, but north's hand is very light on defense and south may well pass out a making 2♥X. Ignoring the (relatively small number) of times when you actually want to defend 2♥X, 2♠ is a standout bid. This can't be a "self-sufficient suit" since north passed over 1♥, and south will know to pull to 3m with an unsuitable dummy for spades.

[jdonn]

I don't think either player should balance. This vul is bad for declaring, and it's plain to see 2♠ is getting creamed on a heart lead with any competent defense. Alternatively they will bid 3♥ and are much more likely to guess hearts now for an even worse board.

 

Agree with Inquiry, the reason for the bad board is east didn't make a limit raise. Probably most were in 3♥ going down.

 

Agree with AWM that if north were to balance, 2♠ is clear over dbl.

[inquiry]

2♠ is down one on perfect play as well. It can make if the defense slips, and it can be down two if declarer slips. Again, at mp, it also risk a double, and down two would be an unhappy situation even without the double. The correct line after ♥ and ♥ ruff is to pull trumps, despite the control problems with repeated heart forces... with careful play he will eventually win 4♠, 1♦, 2♣.

 

I am also skeptical of the claim that the declarer will only make 2 ♥. 2♥ by WEST actually has a chance for two overtricks. For example, a diamnod lead give away the overtrick at trick one. After a spade start, declarer is playing for 8 or 9 tricks depending upon guess in hearts. It seems a spade lead will be made. If declearer makes a discovery play in spdes, and finds five with north to souths 2, he at least has a chance to get hearts correct.

[jdonn]

2♠ is down one on perfect play as well. It can make if the defense slips, and it can be down two if declarer slips.

You are right, 2♠ is down 1 I was wrong at a glance. Although this is only because spades break and no one has a singleton in a minor. In any case even -100 will be bad when most NS are plus against 3♥ The spade lead against that seems automatic, and then there is no reason they would guess hearts right. And the balance could still lead to 2♠X or 3♥ with a correct guess. I still don't like it.

[han]

If anybody should bid it is north imo. South has a clear pass.

[Apollo81]

I'm sure I wouldn't come in on the South hand.

[Foxx]

It is not South's place to act with a balanced, aceless hand when West could still be strong. North has a routine reopening action, and double and 2♠ both have merit. I would bid 2♠ if it were clear that a 3♣ removal by South meant that a scramble was on. Otherwise double.

 

It is curious that North's reopening action will come back around to get him, since East goes on to 3♥ and then West can use the clues from the bidding to make it and get an improved score. Only a 3♥ contract reached without any activity by N/S should go down.

[Guest Jlall]

I will go as far as to say it is a HUGE mistake to not balance with the north hand. Absolutely huge. I would balance at imps red/white. You cannot sell out with this hand, it's just not possible. You have a stiff heart and 5 spades and partner will never bury you since you haven't overcalled 1S. You should just roll over and die and give them an automatic good board if you won't balance here at matchpoints.

[whereagles]

Thx all. Not clear-cut to me who should bid what, though I see there's a tendency to put the onus on North.

[Codo]

I think too that south has a clear pass and north a 99 % 2 Spade bidwith the reasonings Adam and Justin gave.

[helene_t]

If North doesn't bid 2♠ with this hand, with what hand would he?

 

South has absolutely no reason even to think about bidding.

[Halo]

I think it is up to North to bid - 2S for me. I would bid at IMPs and MP.

[Edmunte1]

2♠ in MP's is pretty obvious for me. Leaving them in 2♥ won't get us usually a good score. I wouldn't have balanced in IMP's in red.