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A tricky hand to bid


AL78

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[hv=pc=n&s=skqj743h42dqt8c74&n=shakqt9daj5cakqt8]133|200[/hv]

 

East passes as dealer and South opens a weak 2. How do you think the bidding should proceed?

 

How about if North is dealer?

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I think all bets are off. Most pairs would bid some 2NT 'asking' bid, but there are several different popular treatments for this so you will get diverging sequences as low as the 3-level. It matters a ton if partner is likely to have an outside entry, which is a matter of bidding style (for that matter, what was the vulnerability?). Either way it is a headache of a hand. In the system I play it would perhaps go:

2 - 2NT* (asking)

3 (maximum, six card suit) - 4 (forcing, 4 would not be forcing)

4 - 5

P

 

If North was dealer life is easier:

2* (GF or 22-23 NT) - 2 (a solid 5+ card suit headed by at least the KQT, promises 6+ points but typically 8)

3 - 3 (waiting)

4 - 4 (signoff)

...P(?)

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Very, very tricky! I think it all comes down to whether the partnership is aggressive or more-restrained. I'm not even going to contemplate any sequence here because they depend on specific responses to a 2NT Ogust enquiry (if used), or with North opening 2 whether South thinks of his/her hand as a positive immediately (or after a waiting 2 response.)

 

I believe it is easier to 'land on a dime' (to use an American expression) if North opens when the partnership are using a strong 1 system than a 2/1/SAYC/Acol 2 strong opener.

 

It's hard for North not to be star struck with the playing strength of his/her hand which comes out as a mighty 29.0 count on the Kaplan and Rubens evaluator, though the word MISFIT must somehow also come into the equation here, too.

 

Definitely a tough, tough hand to bid and find the right contract.

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This was the full deal:

 

[hv=pc=n&s=skqj743h42dqt8c74&w=sa2hj863dk743c965&n=shakqt9daj5cakqt8&e=st9865h75d962cj32]399|300[/hv]

 

NS do have a club or heart slam on thanks to a favourable layout.

 

Most of the field were in a NT contract. Eight in 3NT making 10, 11 or 12 tricks, 5NT=, 6NT=, 6NT+1 twice, and 6NT-1 twice. Two were in 4, one going off (my novice friend who must have misplayed it), and 5-3. Nobody in hearts or clubs. Interestingly, the two pairs who made 13 tricks in 6NT both got a spade lead. Even after that start, there is a bit of work to do to make all the rest, I'd be interested to see how the play went at those tables.

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I used to play that 2N was only forcing bid after a weak 2. I have now been persuaded that it is better to have all bids forcing. This is a good hand for the "show a feature" school as 2- 2N - 3 means NT is the only denomination to consider and all you can do is pick 3 or 6.

 

If North is dealer surely start 2-2-2-2-3-3 and we are in the same pickle pick 3N or 6N

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South could have something like KQJxxx x xx xxxx, I can't see why North wouldn't at least explore possibilities in both suits.

2s-3h-3s-4c-4h- now give up?

My auction started similarly other than that I regard Opener as a non-minimum and therefore prefer a 3NT rebid rather than 3. I do not think it is feasible in a SD situation for Responder to give up at this point and 5 looks the obvious way of proceeding. Opener's hand facing <2 and <4 though is literally as bad as it can possibly be so the 5 level would be the end of the road.

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