Fix of the month

[kjpod]

Last hand of a virtual club game, we were cruising along as E-W when... (see the bidding notes)

 

[hv=pc=n&s=saqj9ha3dakq97cq4&w=st832hk754dt32cj6&n=s764hqjdj865ckt97&e=sk5ht9862d4ca8532&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=pp2cp2dp2np3np4s(%22I%20have%20four%20spades.%22)p4n(%22I...%20don't%20care.%20I%20want%20to%20play%20notrump.%22)p5c(%22I%20have%20three%20keycards.%22)p5h(%22What%20are%20you%20doing%20partner%3F%20Please%2C%20please%20sign%20off%20in%205NT.%22)p6d(%22I%20have%20the%20queen%20of%20spades%20and%20king%20of%20diamonds.%22)pp(%22I%20give%20up.%20Oh%20wait,%20I%20have%20to%20play%20this.%22)p]399|300[/hv]

 

This was an open game with a 0-750 game underneath so in theory the absolute novices should be nowhere to be found. A heart lead results in justice but East, wanting to see the board that inspired such insanity in the bidding, laid down the club ace. The hand could no longer be beaten, and needless to say, nobody else was in slam.

[AL78]

Perhaps this should be in the "Cheating at bridge" thread.

[smerriman]

Perhaps this should be in the "Cheating at bridge" thread.

There is a 0% chance this pair is cheating, given how bad the slam is.

 

Some pairs do play a system where raising 2NT - 3NT is artificial and shows a 5-4 major hand, going through a 3♠ transfer to sign off in 3NT.. though it leads to misunderstandings like this.

[steve2005]

I am curious. What was the opening lead?

T♥ looks like the obvious choice after which there is no play.

[DavidKok]

I would not be surprised if this is indeed another "artificial 3NT raise" mishap. South seems to think 4♠ confirms spades, then answers keycards and a queen ask (I wonder what NS's agreements are about 5♦ versus 5♥ over the keycard answer).

[pescetom]

I would not be surprised if this is indeed another "artificial 3NT raise" mishap.

 

I would not be surprised if 3NT was artificial either, seeing as none of the three preceding artificial bids were alerted.

Was there a TD present here?

[nige1]

[hv=pc=n&s=saqj9ha3dakq97cq4&w=st832hk754dt32cj6&n=s764hqjdj865ckt97&e=sk5ht9862d4ca8532&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=pp2cp2dp2np3np4s(%22I%20have%20four%20spades.%22)p4n(%22I...%20don't%20care.%20I%20want%20to%20play%20notrump.%22)p5c(%22I%20have%20three%20keycards.%22)p5h(%22What%20are%20you%20doing%20partner%3F%20Please%2C%20please%20sign%20off%20in%205NT.%22)p6d(%22I%20have%20the%20queen%20of%20spades%20and%20king%20of%20diamonds.%22)pp(%22I%20give%20up.%20Oh%20wait,%20I%20have%20to%20play%20this.%22)p]399|300|kjpod 'Last hand of a virtual club game, we were cruising along as E-W when... (see the bidding notes)This was an open game with a 0-750 game underneath so in theory the absolute novices should be nowhere to be found. A heart lead results in justice but East, wanting to see the board that inspired such insanity in the bidding, laid down the club ace. The hand could no longer be beaten, and needless to say, nobody else was in slam.'

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

The auction seems farcical :( Nevertheless, 6♦ or 6N by South are both playable :) and are likely to make, as the cards lie :)

[/hv]