How well do you know your reverses?

[smerriman]

I just played in a pickup 7 board IMP team match on BBO.

 

Reverse auctions (well, auctions in general, but hey) can be tricky even with a regular partner - virtually impossible with a pickup partner. But when it's just some quick fun, sometimes you have no choice.

 

On board 3 I picked up a nice 1246 16-count and decided I was strong enough to reverse into diamonds.

 

[hv=http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?&s=SA84HKJ753DJ75CT3&w=SQT9653H964D983C6&nn=smerriman&n=S2HQ2DAKT6CAK9842&e=SKJ7HAT8DQ42CQJ75&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=PP1CP1HP2DP2NP3CP3HPPP&p=S5S2SKSAS4S3H2S7CAC5C3C6CKC7CTH4D9DAD2D5C9CJD7D8CQHJD3C2S8S9HQSJDKD4DJH6SQC4DQH3H7H9D6HTH8H5S6C8HAHKSTDT]400|300[/hv]

 

First up, I had to guess whether 2NT was lebensohl, whether 2♠ would be the weakness bid, or whether partner didn't really have a system. Luckily, my bid seemed to be 3♣ either way - but should I pass 3♥? I decided it would be safest. 3NT is down 1, though would require excellent defense to beat, and 3♥ was just making, so it worked out OK (though partner misplayed it for down 2).

 

The very next board, I am rather surprised to pick up an even better hand - a 2146 18 count.

 

[hv=http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?s=ST85HAQJ63DAT9C63&w=S42HT8752DQ654C95&nn=smerriman&n=SAKH4DKJ32CAKT874&e=SQJ9763HK9D87CQJ2&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=P1CP1HP2DP3HP4CP5DP6DPPP&p=SQS5S4SKCAC2C3C9CKCQC6C5C4CJD9DQD4D2D7DTDAD5D3D8S8S2SAS3DKS6H3D6DJS7H6H2&c=12]400|300[/hv]

 

OK, this time 3♥ must be some strength, but it's still a bit of a misfit. Do I stop at 3NT? I don't like it, so I bid 4♣. Is a jump to 5♦ weak or strong? Who knows, but let's give slam a try. Oh dear, a 4-3 fit - but it's somehow cold and I manage to bring it home.

 

Would you believe it, the very next board I'm staggered to pick up a 1345 20-count. I am very close to misclicking on my second bid, since I'm laughing out loud too hard, but I manage to reverse into diamonds for a third consecutive time.

 

[hv=http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?s=SAT842HK8743DTC98&wn=selo56&w=SQJ76HT2DQ9CT7532&nn=smerriman&n=S3HAQ9DA732CAKQJ6&e=SK95HJ65DKJ8654C4&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=1CP1SP2DP2HP2NP3HP4NP5DP6HPPP&p=C2CAC4C8HQH5H3H2HAH6H4HTH9HJHKS6C9C3CKD4CQD5S2C5CJD6S4C7S3S5STSJCTC6D8H7DTD9DADJD2DKH8DQSAS7D3S9S8SQD7SK]400|300[/hv]

 

Still not having a clue what system we were playing, I played for time with 2NT, but after 3♥ took the plunge into an ice-cold slam. Sadly, partner drew trumps without realising one spade ruff was all that was required :( (Edit - actually, the club break was pretty unlucky; drawing trumps may well be the right line anyway - hadn't really looked too closely.)

 

An interesting match for sure.

[steve2005]

Bd 3 any bid other than (correction) 2H risks missing a heart fit in most people's opinion..

If you don't know if 2NT is Lebensohl then it's too late. Discuss your methods after the match.

[FelicityR]

Can I have you as a rubber bridge partner :)

[Cyberyeti]

The third one we have a gadget for which gets a picture of what's going on in there by accident.

 

1♣-1♠-2N (GF unbal with a semi forced 3♣ relay, over which you're intending to rebid 3♦ showing a massive 5-4)-3♥(5+-5+) and now we know where we're playing, also 3♠ would set spades over 3♥ so 4♠ is KC in hearts here. The danger is bidding 7 which fails when the clubs don't split and partner is lacking ♥J.

[kuhchung]

i can't believe your reverse auctions with a pickup partner were better than your reverse auctions with me. unfair