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For Junior, Intermediate and Novice players….and others! It’s Fri day.

Who’s the decision-maker?

There are a few useful lessons to learn from today’s deal which is more aimed at those new to the game. Don’t switch off, though.

 

 

After East’s pass, South opened a 15-17 hcp 1NT. Playing transfers, with the hand above, North bid 2 and South replied as instructed 2. What should North bid on their second turn?

We will return shortly as to the correct bid. North did a bit of high card point counting and dreamt a little about bidding slam. 17+ 14. Yes, on some days there might be a slam. Yet, wisely, they decided against going above game. Partner might only have 15 hcp. So, they bid to game but the game they bid was 4. All good, or so North thought. They were dummy and could relax.

West led J (top of a sequence…even if there was a higher card) and the above hand was tabled. A slightly surprised declarer won the first trick with Q. Then they played A from their own hand and looked very frustrated when West discarded a club. Let’s see why:

 

The 6-0 trump break was somewhat unlucky but it should never have been a problem because North made a unilateral decision that the deal should be played in hearts. It was not their decision to make.

North had ample hcps to bid game but they could not be sure which game. That depended on the number of hearts South held…and only South knew that. Remember, we need a minimum of 8 trumps between the two hands to have a trump fit. If South had only 2 hearts, there was no fit. 

 North should have bid 3NT saying they had 5 hearts, no other suit of 4 or more cards and enough high card points for game. It should have then been South’s decision whether to play 3NT or 4. With only 2 hearts, South would choose to play 3NT. North should provide the information while South makes the decision.

And without transfers?

Notice North can provide some of the same information without playing transfers. North bids 3 over 1NT which is forcing to 3NT or 4. With only 2 hearts, South bids 3NT. With 4 hearts, they bid 4 and with 3, they choose.

The sad bad news!

In 4, South could not avoid 3 trump losers and A. The board also demonstrates a reason why transfers are a good idea. They enable the stronger, flatter hand to be declarer. A diamond lead from West will give South two tricks in the suit while if North is declarer in 4, East can lead a diamond allowing West to score K..down 2! While the initial J lead from West is not wrong, with a strong no trump hand on their right, they might have gone more passive by leading a club. From their void, they may suspect that trumps will break badly. There is not likely to be a rush to try for diamond tricks.

The heart break was certainly very unlucky but where South has only 2, maybe 3 hearts, no trumps will usually play as well if not better than a heart game. Maybe 4 makes for +620 but 3NT making 10 tricks scores +630, an important 10 point difference playing Pairs.

In no-trumps, as long as South is declarer,  10 tricks can always be made as East can never gain the lead and declarer can force West to lead a diamond away from the king….that is 2 spades, 3 hearts, 2 diamonds and 3 club tricks.

Don’t be greedy!

The board introduces another interesting point. Of all the players at the table, East would be most delighted to hear North’s 4 bid. Indeed, were East to hold say A as well as 6 trumps, they would be certain to beat the contract. They could then boost their score by doubling 4. Yet, the double would be unwise and greedy. It would give South the opportunity to change their bid and fearing a bad trump break, they may well move from a non-making 4 to a making 4NT contract. That’s bad tactics…and greed!

Fortunately, those East players who felt like doubling 4 were missing any top honours in the non-trump suits. They would still get a very good score by passing out 4.

Thus, remember who is the decision-maker and who is providing the information…and then you will reach the best game...where 6-0 trump breaks are not a worry!

Richard Solomon

The Trans Tasman Teams competition, round 5 is tonight, Friday, NZ time at 8.00pm. For 30 minute delayed kibitzer link, go to https://www.aj92.com.au/results/results.asp?yr=2024&dir=ttc

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