Hard to spot

[pescetom]

A tricky hand that came up in a national MP tournament:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=saq2haj54dcqt9875&w=s875hk72d7542ca64&n=sjt963h8dakt986c2&e=sk4hqt963dqj3ckj3&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=p?]399|300[/hv]

 

Out of 145 tables that played this hand, 3 made 4♠=, 25 made 4♠+1, 8 made 4♠+2, 1 made the PAR of 6♠=.

68% of NS did worse than any of these.

How would your partnership bid this as NS, assuming normal competition?

[Cyberyeti]

6♠ is a terrible contract that happens to make, we would play 4♠ or just possibly 5♠.

[pescetom]

6♠ is a terrible contract that happens to make, we would play 4♠ or just possibly 5♠.

 

Agreed, but how do you get to game in spades?

Many people didn't.

[Tramticket]

We have a two-suited 2S opening available, which will get us to 4S.

 

I am a bit strong for the bid, but opening 1D or 1S both have problems, so I probably open 2S at this vulnerability.

[Cyberyeti]

Agreed, but how do you get to game in spades?

Many people didn't.

 

over 1♦-(1♥)-2♣-(2♥) it's easy for our methods, x shows 4 spades, 2♠ shows 5, neither promise extra values, it's more difficult if W doesn't bid 2♥ but after N opens, S is bidding game, but that just might be 3N.

 

We actually have a gadget for this.

 

1♦-(1♥)-2♣-(P)

2♦-2♥(artificial ask inv +)

2♠(nat not max)

 

and now it's a question of what S does, I wouldn't criticise 3N but 3♣ (nat GF) is plausible over which 3♠ shows the 6-5 and gets you to 4♠

[FelicityR]

With one opponent already passed, it's not unreasonable to pass too with the North hand is my honest opinion. You have the top suit ♠s in a two suited hand that you should be able to come into the auction later - all being well. The hand could be a total misfit, and whilst that is a pessimistic view, opening vulnerable at the one level with highly-distributional hands without the requisite high point count is asking for trouble.

[Cyberyeti]

With one opponent already passed, it's not unreasonable to pass too with the North hand is my honest opinion. You have the top suit ♠s in a two suited hand that you should be able to come into the auction later - all being well. The hand could be a total misfit, and whilst that is a pessimistic view, opening vulnerable at the one level with highly-distributional hands without the requisite high point count is asking for trouble.

 

How are you going to enjoy the not unlikely 1N from E, 2♣ (hearts and another) from partner ?

[HardVector]

(p)-p-(1h)-p-(2h)-3h-(p)-4s

[Cyberyeti]

(p)-p-(1h)-p-(2h)-3h-(p)-4s

 

S will overcall 2♣ (or if you are in the UK, the auction will start 1N from E and S will overcall that, most likely with 2♣ hearts and another)

[Tramticket]

How are you going to enjoy the not unlikely 1N from E, 2♣ (hearts and another) from partner ?

 

In this scenario, partner will be playing 2C!

[pescetom]

I forgot to add that you are playing in Italy, where 1NT is almost certainly strong and 1-level openings of less than 10 HCP are disapproved of unless part of a written and pre-alerted agreement.

So it's usually going to continue P (1H) 2C (2H) ?

Unless of course you have a 2 suited opening or are willing to open a weak 2D natural despite those spades.

[Cyberyeti]

I forgot to add that you are playing in Italy, where 1NT is almost certainly strong and 1-level openings of less than 10 HCP are disapproved of unless part of a written and pre-alerted agreement.

So it's usually going to continue P (1H) 2C (2H) ?

Unless of course you have a 2 suited opening or are willing to open a weak 2D natural despite those spades.

 

I would argue that Jxxxx, x, AKxxxx, x is a very good 8 count but J109xx, x, AK1098x, x is worth a 10 count of anybody's money.

 

 

What do most people in Italy play 1♥-2♣-2♥-X as ?

[pescetom]

I would argue that Jxxxx, x, AKxxxx, x is a very good 8 count but J109xx, x, AK1098x, x is worth a 10 count of anybody's money.

I would agree with your evaluation, but the regulations count HCP independent of shape or texture - and West just happens to be the national head of tournament directors B-)

 

What do most people in Italy play 1♥-2♣-2♥-X as ?

How one plays that double and how South should respond is a key point of this discussion - I don't see any particular national tendency, although for most it would indicate the remaining two suits - the question is rather with what lengths, and what South needs to "raise" either suit.

[KingCovert]

A tricky hand that came up in a national MP tournament:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=saq2haj54dcqt9875&w=s875hk72d7542ca64&n=sjt963h8dakt986c2&e=sk4hqt963dqj3ckj3&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=p?]399|300[/hv]

 

Out of 145 tables that played this hand, 3 made 4♠=, 25 made 4♠+1, 8 made 4♠+2, 1 made the PAR of 6♠=.

68% of NS did worse than any of these.

How would your partnership bid this as NS, assuming normal competition?

 

Well, I play Canapé with my partner, so I'd definitely open this. It's a great hand. I'd open 1S intending to bid 3D showing a minimal 6-5 in the two suits.

 

P-1♠-2♥- X

3♥-4♦- P-4♠

 

1♠ shows 10-16 4+♠

X is a support double.

4♦ shows at least 5♦, but I think it agrees spades and is just patterning out in case 5♠ has to be played.

 

At this point, I probably don't have the guts to make a forward going bid, even with my extra values... I probably just bid 4♠ allowing partner to pass with 5♠ or continue with some 4♠ 6+♦ hand that doesn't want to play a 4-3 fit. Although, I know the ♥ situation on this auction, and the A♥ seems like a huge card. Partner can be 5062 though, and we could easily be making no more than 10 tricks.

 

If I was feeling somewhat insane, I'd bid 4♥ to show my extras and partner would probably continue 5♦. Again though, do I really like partner's bid with a void in their best suit? I could try bid 5♥ as a last ditch if I was really insane.... But, it's hard to imagine going past 5♠ even in the most optimistic of situations... And, as pointed out, 6♠ is a horrible contract... Truly.