Swiss GP Pairs - 1

[broze]

[hv=pc=n&s=sakj8543hj8d5cj53&d=e&v=n&b=2&a=p]133|200[/hv]

 

Matchpoints

[gszes]

Almost no defense and suggesting a sacrifice at this vulnerability

is to much like walking a tight rope. 2s lets p know about

the overall weakness of your hand yet at these colors also

shows good enough spades to play opposite a singleton.

p need not fear spade losers and can invite with less than

normal due to knowing the spade suit is better than normal.

 

Preemption at a low level eliminating trump suit worries for p

and showing little to no defense all wrapped up in a nice cozy

 

2s bid.

 

 

[billw55]

Obvious 3♠ for me. Very sound 7 card suit, nothing outside.

 

At this vulnerability, I would consider 2♠ if the shape was 7222 or if the suit was weaker. But with this hand, I have no doubts.

[CSGibson]

This has to be the most normal 2nd seat red 3♠ bid ever. There is nothing remotely interesting about this problem.

 

#forumfail

[broze]

This has to be the most normal 2nd seat red 3♠ bid ever. There is nothing remotely interesting about this problem.

 

#forumfail

 

Fair enough. I did actually bid 3♠ at the table but felt I might be a bit heavy and we went on to miss a game. If p has a singleton/void spade, how many points should he need to raise? Are there any hands where he might want to play 3NT instead - I can't think of (m)any.

[ArtK78]

It is not a question of points - it is a question of tricks.

 

For a vul opposite nonvul 3♠ bid in second seat, one should assume that the bidder has close to 7 tricks. So, responder should bid game if he can produce 3 tricks opposite a typical 7-3-2-1 shaped hand. This is not an exact science, as you don't know for sure if a side suit KQ holding will produce a useful trick for partner. But you can be pretty sure that aces will produce tricks and the A, K or Q of trumps will produce a trick.

 

A spade void would be a negative factor. Partner might be assuming that his AKQxxxx of spades is worth 7 tricks. But opposite a spade void, it rates to produce only 6 tricks.

 

A singleton spade is not a plus, but it is not a big minus, either. Partner expects that you would have no more than 2 spades on average, and a singleton spade is not that far off.

 

As for your second question - whether it makes sense to bid 3NT on some hands. The answer is clearly yes.

 

The most obvious hand for a 3NT bid would be something like this:

 

Kxx

Axxx

Kxx

Axx

 

You can be reasonably sure that your side has 7 spade tricks (assuming partner has at least Axxxxxx for his 3 bid at this seat and vul) and you have 2 sure side tricks. Furthermore, you need to protect your ♦K from being led through on opening lead. 4♠ might still make, but you can only count 9 tricks - partner's seven spades and your two aces. If the ♦A is behind the K, there might not be a 10th trick in a spade contract.

[PhilKing]

Fair enough. I did actually bid 3♠ at the table but felt I might be a bit heavy and we went on to miss a game...

 

But what did partner have?

[Phil]

Normal 3♠ opening. Expect the field to make the same call, so nothing to sweat if you go -200 or partner has some magic cards in clubs and you make 170.

[Thiros]

Fair enough. I did actually bid 3♠ at the table but felt I might be a bit heavy and we went on to miss a game. If p has a singleton/void spade, how many points should he need to raise? Are there any hands where he might want to play 3NT instead - I can't think of (m)any.

 

Did both of your side-suit jacks end up working?

 

Opening 3♠ is clear. Second seat red on white, you really need to have the goods.