Much ado about nothing

[pilowsky]

The percentage of hands that contain 10HCP is 9.4%, but it isn't common for everyone to get exactly 10.

To make matters worse, the colours were also distributed in a particularly dreary way.

Edit: apologies - West is the Dealer.

Here's the hand:

[hv=pc=n&s=s64ha82dq76cat965&w=sj72hkqt63da95c43&n=skq53h94dj832ckj7&e=sat98hj75dkt4cq82]399|300[/hv]

 

The result

Turns out 2♥ EW is optimal, but NS had to start the bidding - everyone else passed for -IMP's

"A miracle. Here's our own hands against our hearts."

[helene_t]

W, N and S have a 3rd seat opening. If North is dealer it ought to be passed out IMHO.

[Cyberyeti]

If N opens a mini NT he may play there and make. I once lost a national final on a hand like this, scores dead level, we passed it out, opps played 2♠ and team mates had to lead a minor to beat it, they (as I would have done on the auction) led a trump. It was particularly galling because it required AK10 opposite xx to play for 3 tricks even with the wrong lead.

[AL78]

W, N and S have a 3rd seat opening. If North is dealer it ought to be passed out IMHO.

 

I can see some merit in opening the West hand in 3rd seat, but why open the North and South hands? Partucularly South, opening that 1♣ is asking for 4th seat to overcall in a major and make +110. That is what would happen if North was dealer.

[Cyberyeti]

I can see some merit in opening the West hand in 3rd seat, but why open the North and South hands? Partucularly South, opening that 1♣ is asking for 4th seat to overcall in a major and make +110. That is what would happen if North was dealer.

 

If I open the S hand, I upgrade it to the 11-14 notrump we play in 4th, never opening it 1♣ in 4th, 3rd seat I might as 1N is 12-14.

[nige1]

[hv=pc=n&s=s64ha82dq76cat965&w=sj72hkqt63da95c43&n=skq53h94dj832ckj7&e=sat98hj75dkt4cq82&d=W&a=PP1H(Imaginative)P2C(Drury)P2H(Poor opener)PPP]300|300|

pilowsky 'The percentage of hands that contain 10HCP is 9.4%, but it isn't common for everyone to get exactly 10. To make matters worse, the colours were also distributed in a particularly dreary way.

++++++++++++++++++++

 

Pilowski is right the hand isn't very interesting ... Except suppose West and North pass, and East opens 1♥, say ...

A. That would revive memories of the notorious World Championship case between Spain and the USA. Spain alleged that a USA pair might have a CPU (concealed partnership understanding) to open all hands, in third seat, when non-vulnerable. The WBF ruled in favour of the USA. BridgeWinners' opinions divided on patriotic lines. For example, some US commentators wrote that the director-call was unethical and, as captain, they would bench a player who failed to open the weak hands.

B. East can use the Drury convention to avoid getting too high. He replies 2♣ to check whether partner has his bid. This should allow the partnership to subside in 2♥. (Canadian international, Eric Murray had a propensity to psyche, in 3rd seat. Captain Douglas Drury [1914-1967] devised his eponymous convention as a psychic-control, in case Murray's partner was tempted to take the bid seriously).[/hv]

[helene_t]

btw I think you should make it a multi-option poll, possibly with a "none" option also.

 

As it is, we have to chose one and only one hand to open.

 

Also, make it clear who is dealer. I suppose it is W/none since you mentioned W first in the poll?

[pilowsky]

btw I think you should make it a multi-option poll, possibly with a "none" option also.

 

As it is, we have to chose one and only one hand to open.

 

Also, make it clear who is dealer. I suppose it is W/none since you mentioned W first in the poll?

 

Apologies, it is West - I edited it after you noted that earlier. I was one of the 'suckers and losers' that passed as South.

At two other tables, NS opened allowing the EW pair to reveal their majors and get to a making 2H contract.

 

Which just goes to show that silence is not always golden because we got -ve IMPs.