Several tough calls

[DavidKok]

I ran into multiple interesting deals and close decisions at my club yesterday, and thought they might be fun hands to share. All hands are IMPs, your general opening and overcall style is very aggressive.

 

1. Early in the evening you become declarer in a sharp game. West leads the ♦3 (4th best). Plan the play.

[hv=pc=n&s=sa62haj942d4ck952&n=sq74hkq73da852cj4&d=n&v=0&b=1&a=1c(2%2B)p1hp2hp4hppp]266|200[/hv]

2. Partner has successfully preempted the middle opponent, unfortunately he is you. A new suit at the 3-level would be natural and forcing, 3NT to play, 4♣ weak (a poor agreement in 4th seat, but that's what you play), 4♦ RKC 3014 and 4M and up natural. Your call?

[hv=pc=n&s=saj83hj74dacakt97&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=p3c(Can%20be%20a%206-card%20suit)p]133|200[/hv]

3. Favourable vulnerability, so the aggression is on. Your opponents are sound bidders (and your partner is not). What's going on?

[hv=pc=n&s=sq743hjt854dcakqj&d=w&v=e&b=16&a=pp1c(2%2B)1h2d3h(Very%20weak%2C%200-5)3n]133|200[/hv]

4. Plan the auction.

[hv=pc=n&s=sqt32hdt6caqt7532&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=p]133|200[/hv]

5. A tough spot for my partner. What would you have done?

[hv=pc=n&n=sjt8542h73djtc976&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=1d('Unbalanced')dp1npp]133|200[/hv]

6. Many people at my club got this decision wrong - how good are your agreements?

[hv=pc=n&s=skt532hj953dkjct3&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=1h2h(Spades%20and%20a%20minor)]133|200[/hv]

[nullve]

1. ♦A, diamond ruff, club towards dummy

2. 3N

3. 4♥

4. 1♣

5. P (partner has almost certainly four hearts, so likely 1453-ish shape)

6. 3♥ (mixed raise)

[LBengtsson]

1. same as nullve

2. 5♣ though agree 3NT may be better.

3. same as nullve

4. same as nullve

5. same as nullve

6. yes, what are the agreements? lol! 3♥ if says mixed raise 7-10 high points 4♥ support. other than that 4♥ Landy game try. (my new convention)

[Winstonm]

1 if the J loses to the queen, the 9 on the way back.

2 5c

3 same

4 pass

5 same

6 3H competitive raise

[DavidKok]

 

1. East wins the queen and returns a small diamond. What is your plan now?

3. West bids 5♦ over 4♥, passed back to you. Your move.

4. Interesting, I think this hand is too weak for 1♣. On the actual deal partner would respond 1♥ and later show a 19-point 3=5=4=1. How do you stop shy of slam?

5. That's the logic most people in the field used, unfortunately opener is 3=4=5=1 with 16 points and 4♠ is cold with 1NT one off on a diamond lead. Tough luck, I guess.

6. I was curious to hear what other people play in this position. Over 3♥ West will bid 3♠ and partner bids 4♣, back to you. Over a Landy game try partner bids 5♣.

 

[mw64ahw]

1. A♦ looking to make 5♥,♦ , ♦ ruffs/2♠/1♣

2. 3NT - North should have at least 5 playing tricks & with a max. of 3hcp in ♣ the odds of an outside trick look favourable so I count 9 tricks and hope.

3. 4♥ expecting to be down 2

4. Pass initially

5. Pass

6. 3♥ - maybe defending in ♠ is better, but more likely a minor