Those pesky spades again

[pescetom]

[hv=pc=n&s=s74hkj7dk8caq9865&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1s2h4s?]150|225[/hv]

 

This board shook things up in yesterday's MP tournament.

At your table the bidding went as shown.

Your partner has a conservative intervention style, opponents are unknown.

How do you read the situation and what is your call?

[Cyberyeti]

Well the first bid is easy, 4N 2 places to play, what I do when I hear partner's response is less clear.

[HardVector]

Why would you want to play anywhere but hearts? The only question is 5 or 6 hearts. You mentioned partner was solid, so I expect a decent hand for the 2/1 overcall.

[Cyberyeti]

Why would you want to play anywhere but hearts? The only question is 5 or 6 hearts. You mentioned partner was solid, so I expect a decent hand for the 2/1 overcall.

 

Well if partner has void, Axxxxx, AQx, KJxx I'd much rather be in 7♣ than 7♥.

[pescetom]

Let's hope a few more people reply here.

 

But in the meantime...

 

Well the first bid is easy, 4N 2 places to play, what I do when I hear partner's response is less clear.

He would respond 5C to 2 places.

What would you have called if 4NT was RKCB in hearts and 5C natural undiscussed?

[Cyberyeti]

Let's hope a few more people reply here.

 

But in the meantime...

 

 

He would respond 5C to 2 places.

What would you have called if 4NT was RKCB in hearts and 5C natural undiscussed?

 

I'm inclined to bid a slam here over 5♣, probably 6♣. I'd use blackwood given the restrictions you place.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

Take the Money.

 

Most likely you only have 1 spade looser, but 22 in spades is possible,

opener is behind you.

 

If you have it av., you could use 4NT followed by 5H as slam invite,

even if he interprets 4NT is 2places to Play.

 

A direct 5C would be more lead directing, if they bid 5 over 5.

Now this is a matter of philosphy, but I dont think it is particular useful

to be able to introduce a new suit at the 5 Level, when Partner already has

shown a suit of his own.

But that is just me.

 

With Kind regards

Marlowe

[pescetom]

I'm inclined to bid a slam here over 5♣, probably 6♣. I'd use blackwood given the restrictions you place.

Fair enough.

Thinking harder, a 5♣ response to 2 Places to Play is not automatic, it might be 5♦ according to how you have agreed to play the convention.

The restrictions I place reflect a lack of detailed agreements with your partner, I agree they are not optimal.

The reply to RKC Blackwood would be 5♥.

[Cyberyeti]

Fair enough.

Thinking harder, a 5♣ response to 2 Places to Play is not automatic, it might be 5♦ according to how you have agreed to play the convention.

The restrictions I place reflect a lack of detailed agreements with your partner, I agree they are not optimal.

The reply to RKC Blackwood would be 5♥.

 

I pass 5♥.

[pescetom]

Thanks to all who replied so far.

 

Here's the full layout:

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sakt953hqt53dqj2c&n=sjha9642da753ckt7&e=sq862h8dt964cj432&s=s74hkj7dk8caq9865&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1s2h4s?]400|300[/hv]

 

It turns out that double dummy NS can make 4♥ or 5♣, EW only 3♠.

 

As South I doubled, figuring that the LoTT cannot be completely wrong, all passed.

This should have led to the PAR of 4♥X-1 making 60% score for NS, but we failed to find the diamonds ruff thus conceding -590 and a 95% score to EW, who went on to win the tournament.

 

Only at 11 of 43 tables were NS allowed to play 4♥, with 4 making an overtrick.

Nobody played and made 5♣.

5 NS went down, either in 5♥ or some slam.

10 EW made 4♠, 5 of them doubled.

 

I'm curious to know how many would have bid 4♠ directly over 2♥ as East.

[Cyberyeti]

I would have doubled with the N hand with such a manky heart suit and (for us) very borderline values (I don't mind a one level overcall,but the 2 level is too much), we'd be playing 5♣.

[pescetom]

I would have doubled with the N hand with such a manky heart suit and (for us) very borderline values (I don't mind a one level overcall,but the 2 level is too much), we'd be playing 5♣.

 

I think most players would make a one level overcall with an Ace less, but I agree that it turned out to be thin for two level. Double is the textbook bid, but I doubt it is what much of the matchpoint field chose - and had you played and made 5♣ you would have been the only one to do so in the whole country.

 

Would you have bid 4♠ over 2♥ as East?

[Cyberyeti]

I think most players would make a one level overcall with an Ace less, but I agree that it turned out to be thin for two level. Double is the textbook bid, but I doubt it is what much of the matchpoint field chose - and had you played and made 5♣ you would have been the only one to do so in the whole country.

 

Would you have bid 4♠ over 2♥ as East?

 

Yeah, we don't, we treat a one level overcall as basically an opening bid, but 2 level overcalls don't promise a lot more.

 

No I wouldn't bid 4♠, but we play weak NT 4M so a 4333 16 count would make me look silly.