another thoughts please

[sceptic]

[hv=d=s&v=n&n=sakjh985d8cak6532&w=sq87h32d6543cqt94&e=st6542hjt76dkt9c8&s=s93hakq4daqj72cj7]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

 

West North East South

 

 -     -     -     1♦

 Pass  2♣    Pass  2♦

 Pass  3NT   Pass  Pass

 Pass  

[mike777]

I open 1nt.....

[awm]

Opening 1♦ is fine. While I have nothing against a 1NT opening with two doubletons, this hand has very concentrated values in the two suits and is also borderline too strong for 1NT.

 

2♣ is fine.

 

Over 1♦-2♣, I like a 2♥ rebid. This is a reverse and should show extra values. It shows the two suits (after all the reason not to open 1NT was the two suits) and also establishes a game force (because partner made a 2/1 bid and opener showed extras). This shows essentially exactly the south hand and makes follow-ups easier because the auction is now forced to game (presumably 1♦-2♣-2♦-2NT/3♣ would not be forcing).

 

Back to the actual auction, I'm not very fond of the 3NT bid. You could easily be off the entire heart suit; give south something like ♠Qxx ♥x ♦AKJxxx ♣Qxx and there is no obvious reasno to bid over 3NT but you'll be set on a heart lead with 6♣ cold. Of course, north has a problem assuming that 3♣/2NT would be NF (a problem south could've solved by reversing). Nonetheless I like a 2♠ bid here, showing spade values and enough for game. Obviously this could be a four-card spade suit, but what can you do? Over this south will try 2NT (extras, heart stopper) and north can rebid 3♣ to complete his pattern. This might get you to the good 6♣ contract.

 

My preference would be something like:

 

1♦ - 2♣

2♥(1) - 2NT(2)

3NT(3) - 4♣(4)

Some cuebids... 6♣

 

(1) 4+♥, longer diamonds, 15+ hcp

(2) Forcing because 2♥ forced to game

(3) Not much more to say, no sixth diamond, no three-card club fit

(4) Worth one more shot with a prime 15 hcp opposite 15+

.... south cooperates with prime values and the club doubleton

.... slam is on a 3-2 club break; not wonderful but should be over 50%

 

Obviously you are lucky to have "missed" the good slam here, as it fails on 4-1 clubs barring some very clever (i.e. double-dummy) play.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

#1 2H instead of 2D this shows add. strength

and your shape, additionnally you generate

a game forcing situation, always a great idea

#2 3NT is ok, North has a problem, unless 2C

did already create a game forcing situation,

in which case he could ( and should ) bid 3C

#3 6C was missed, because South failed to bid

2H which would have simplified the auction

... since 6C is down, no harm, but you would

have liked to be on the way to 6C, if you bid

6C is another matter

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[ArtK78]

6NT rolls in on this lie of the cards.

 

Not a bad contract. Terrible after the 4-1 club break, but it is still cold assuming that you tested the clubs by cashing the top honors first (not clearly the best play, but it works on this hand).

[mike777]

I think bidding 2h brings back the whole issue of does it promise extras or just shape. I guess most rebid a 5card minor suit with a minimum rather than 2h.

 

Since 2h does not promise extras for me....I am stuck falling back on 1nt opener.

[Fluffy]

I just don't understand why opener didn't bid 2♥ at second round.

[655321]

South may open 1NT, treating his hand as a balanced 17.

South may open 1♦, deciding that with 17 HCP and a 5 card suit, 2542, he is too strong for 1NT, planning to rebid 2NT to show a stronger balanced hand.

South may open 1♦, planning to reverse into 2♥ showing a strong hand.

 

All these options are reasonable. But opening 1♦ and rebidding 2♦ is not reasonable.

 

Having said that, with the bad club break on the actual hand you may have got lucky.

[Echognome]

Having said that, with the bad club break on the actual hand you may have got lucky.

Lead ♣J. If not covered you are home. If covered by the Q, return to hand and lead the ♣7. If not covered you are home. If covered you win and have 6532 with 94 (or T4) to drive out. Good spots to see you home!

 

NB: Note that I know this is very double dummy and have tongue-in-cheek.

[kenrexford]

I would have the exact same auction. However, it would be nicer with my technique of transfers by Opener. Thus, 2♦ would have shown the four hearts.

[the hog]

Can't understand why you didn't reverse with 2H. This shows extra values of course as well as long D and 4H. This would probably get you to 6.

[Codo]

No this is no 1 NT opener with xx and Jx in the doubeltons.

Yes this is an easy 2 Heart rebid and 90 % plays this as showing extras (WJ 2005 excluded).

 

I like this hand much more as a play problem. With open cards you can play for the clubs to come in, but what is the best way single dummy for 12 tricks?

 

Lets assume that they lead a spade, the unbidden major. OF course this is nice, you win a free finesse.

And now? You are home when clubs are 3-2, so maybe it is best to give up the chance of Qxxx with east by playing a low club to the jack but to draw two top tricks? If the Clubs break, you are home. They don´t.

 

So you need some diamond tricks: Yes this works.

You finesse in Diamond, play the ace and give up a Diamond for 3 Spade 3 Heart, 4 Diamond and 2 Club tricks.

 

So the slam has not just the 68 % chance for 3-2 clubs; You win with the singelton Club Q or when the diamond King is third with east or with some layouts where the king is doubelton with east.

(Of course the spade lead helps, but even without this, there are many hands, where you can squeeze west in clubs and hearts and east in spades and hearts.)

[gwnn]

The South hand is not 1NT-it's way too strong for it, the bad doubletons notwithstanding. It's a reverse over 1♦-1♠ and a jump to 4♥ (if pd doesnt bid on Jxxxx♥ and out) over 1♦-1♥. If pd responds on any excuse then it's just a 3♥ bid.