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One of “Those” Deals.

Is that how we describe today’s problem? We cannot get them all right but at the table, North ended a long way from optimum. Let’s take a look:

 

For me, there are two issues here. Firstly, do we want to bid? Then, if we do, what options do we have?

Our Panel are mainly in the “ no action” camp.

Nigel Kearney “Pass. When they pre-empt, our bids should be constructive, otherwise it is too hard to bid slams. Even with a partner who could take a joke, I still wouldn't bid 5 or double here. Unless partner is able to double for take-out, I expect we are probably better off defending.”

It looks like Nigel’s bidding options for the minors are limited to “double” or just bidding a suit.

Andy Braithwaite “Pass: With no spades and a doubleton hear, I am not well placed to play at the five level and have some defence if partner hold an ace for an entry ( hopefully A as that is the suit I would lead. So, pass for me.”

Passing but suggesting 4NT would be for the minors is:

Bruce Anderson “Pass: It is possible to bid 4NT, saying to partner bid your better minor unless you still think it best to play  the hand in spades. Obviously, if partner fits one of my minor suits and 4 is a make, we could have a cheap save.

But the doubleton Q means we may well have two quick losers and a five-level contract is going down. And so is 4, even though West should have a very good hand at this vulnerability.

 

So, I am passing and leading the J if partner also passes.”

 

One vote for action:

Stephen Blackstock “Double: Given the limited information from the auction, it seems likely that 4 will fail on one or two spade ruffs. 5minor (or even 4) may make, but if we have a game then 4x may cost 500. If this guess is correct, we want to defend 4x: how best to reach that?

 I double in case partner has a nondescript hand (5233?), in which case he will pass a "values" double.  If he bids 5minor, that should be fine. If he bids 4, I bid 5 showing both minors with longer clubs, and hope to survive. Of course, that will be wrong if South has long solid spades, but I can't allow for everything.

 

Alternatively, I can pass now, planning to pass if partner reopens with a double The problem with that plan is that South may pass 4 with the hand shape that will do well on defence. I don't like 4NT for minors immediately, as that removes any chance to defend when that is too likely to be our best option.” 

 

Peter Newell “Pass: 4 may not make, and we could go down quite a lot in 5 of a minor if partner is 1 suited in spades. If partner has the right type of hand to make 5/6 of a minor with heart shortage and some minor length partner will often double and then I'll happily bid 4NT for minors.

Partner often tends to bid 4....."

 

In a way, this is a problem of two parts as had you chosen to pass or indeed double, the bidding was not yet finished. However, Peter was quite right on the night about  4 from South, a bid which was by no means the end of the bidding:

 

 

As long as North’s double was not a straight penalty double, South would surely move from 4x, to 4. If North had passed, then 4NT by North after 4 would certainly be for the minors. Indeed, it looks like the failure to find the club fit comes from North’s inaction over 4x rather than over 4.

Our Panel were correct in that at this vulnerability, West need not have a pre-emptive hand, as you can see above. In the event, it was East who bid on over West’s double. The defence took their three tricks but + 200 did not compensate for missing grand slam! Realistically, bidding to 6 would be a great North-South result. Then, if the opposition did bid to 6, bidding to grand in clubs would be great if you dare, though +500 would at least beat those in 5!

 

With a void in spades, it seems wrong for North to want to go to the 5-level straightaway. Here is a suggestion as to whether 4NT after the opposition’s 4 would be minors or key-card:

Nigel Kearney “ I think 4NT is Blackwood. A possible rule would be that 4NT is Blackwood when you are unlimited and partner has bid a suit, otherwise it is a two suiter.”

Here, South has bid a suit and North would be unlimited. So, 4NT would be Key Card. Double would be take-out…though just make sure your partner agrees!

Something for our JIN (Junior, Novice, Intermediate) Club members tomorrow. All, though, are invited! 

Richard Solomon

 

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