Seattle ATB

[Mbodell]

ATB after the following board at MP:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=sjh9763dakq72ck74&w=sak2hqj854d9654c3&n=stha2djt3caqj8652&e=sq9876543hktd8ct9&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=4spp5cpp5spp6cppp]399|300[/hv]

 

Made 7 on the ♦8 lead for 2.5/25 MP. ATB.

[aguahombre]

West. His action bid the slam for them. It might have been reasonable in the long run; it might not. But, it was his credit if 5S worked well, and his charge if it didn't.

 

He might suspect that partner could provide a quick trick since his spades are so crappy, but still with no defensive trick himself, what happened was certainly possible.

 

East's lead which allowed the overtrick was reasonable. South believed the 5-level belongs to the opponents, so he bid six. :rolleyes:

[gnasher]

I think West should probably save - although we've made them guess, it looks as though they've guessed right. Against that, one wouldn't want to bid 6♠ and then hear 7♣.

 

Obviously no blame attaches to East. Nobody invited him to do anything, and there was nothing special about his hand.

 

South's actions look strange. Was that a successful sandbag, or was he just lucky?

[rhm]

Hard luck, that is no blame.

Opponents wanted to play 5♣, in other words they thought 6♣ was against the odds. Of course this assumes that South was not "walking the dog"

It was reasonable for West to sacrifice in 5♠.

 

Now opponents bid 6♣.

Never sacrifice again if it is your side, who pushed the opponents into game or slam, unless you suspect an opponent is walking the dog.

Take your chances on defense.

Unfortunately there was no defense. This happens to everybody some of the time.

But in general I think it is in the long run a losing policy not to compete out of fear opponents might have underbid.

 

Rainer Herrmann