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Decisions, Decisions.

A tough problem this morning. Maybe you think they all are! Today, we have a very strong hand, a hand worthy of a 2 opener, except that the opposition have opened in front of us…and that creates issues. So, take a look:

 

2 is a Standard Weak 2. We are playing Teams. We have asked the Panel 2 questions.

The first is where we are playing Lebensohl which means that partner’s 2NT bid is very likely a very weak hand, in the 0-6 hcp range and it asks us to bid 3, or normally do so. If they have clubs, they are likely to pass 3. So, do we bid 3? Is that what we want to happen? Of course, they may have another suit instead.

The second is where we are not playing Lebensohl. In that case, our partner bid 3. What do we do now?

Of course, in answering the first, we are not aware of partner’s 3 bid in the second case.

Two straightforward answers in one from Michael:

Michael Ware “3: in both cases. Hopefully everyone know the Mike Ware rule by now. Ax is not a stopper.”

Well, if they know this rule, Michael, they are not following it! Here are answers where Lebensohl is involved:

Peter Newell “3NT: the only option I would consider is 3. 3NT is simple and I don't like other options. West would often raise spades with 3+ support so that places partner likely with 3 spades, which could include the queen sometimes...if not spades may be 6-2 with no entry to East. I don't like pass much, yes we could go down 2 in 3NT, so at Pairs maybe but it's rather a swingy action.  I assume just occasionally that the 2NT could actually be strong ish like a balanced 11. 3 holds a bit of appeal as hearts could play ok, and occasionally partner will have hearts.”

Nigel Kearney “3NT: I have to bid more than 3, and 3NT is the most likely game. Since I doubled first, partner will expect a hand like this with only one spade stop and relatively suitable for playing in a suit, so can pull if appropriate. I think 3 in the context of this auction would suggest no spade stop.”

Interesting definition of 3 and 3NT. I am not sure about partner pulling 3NT as they may expect or hope you have a double stop.

Stephen Blackstock “3NT: Most unsatisfactory but there is no good alternative. You could I suppose try 3, but if partner passes (or raises!) with a doubleton heart, you will suffer the penalty for a violation of Burn's Law (on total tricks and trumps). As the situation after a Lebensohl 2NT was so very likely to arise, it's questionable whether double was the wisest option. 2 (hearts and a minor) would be a distortion of course, but has more chance of drawing partner into the discussion.”

Julie Atkinson “3NT: Bit stuck here. Had this conversation the other day and absolutely a new suit shows that suit and a strong hand. Feels like I am stuck with 3NT.”

However, Michael does have some support:

Kris Wooles “3: too strong to risk the normal Lebensohl response of 3 being passed. Partner can clarify their hand by bidding a suit or even 3NT. 

Michael Cornell “3: Will pass 3NT and bid 4 over either4 or 4.

It is unlikely (albeit not impossible) that we could make 3NT without another spade hold. Over 4 will shut my eyes and bid 4 (it looks like a 5-card suit). If partner has three or even just two hearts, this could have play especially if he has a doubleton spade.”

This, though, does seem a little pessimistic:

Andy Braithwaite “3: A horrible problem. 3NT is out so I bid 3 as requested to play there or in 3 and raise 3 to 4 if that is partner’s suit.”

So, only Andy is prepared to play 3 while others go for game either in no-trumps or in a place yet to be determined.

What though, without Lebensohl, would you do when partner does bid 3 in response to your double? It seems to be there are different routes to game or even slam:

Pam Livingston “4: Minorwood (key card for clubs asking about the 4 aces, K and Q and subsequently outside kings).  We have at least 9 clubs between us.  Minorwood will tell me all I need to know (although there is a little niggle about what to do with 9 trumps.  Partner doesn't have 4 hearts so I have at least one pitch on a heart).”

 Michael Cornell “3:  This is good for non LebensNTohl players. I will bid 3 and follow with 5 unless partner bids 3NT.”

Stephen Blackstock “3: and 4 over 4. That must show controls in all other three suits since I can't be inviting slam with nothing in the reds. We will still be guessing but I am just worth a try below game. Perhaps even that is doing too much since the auction suggests North has three spades and no quick pitch for a spade loser.”

Bruce Anderson “3. I am unlikely to hear 3NT but partner does not need much for our side to make game in clubs, so I will raise a rebid of 4 to game.  It is unlikely partner has 4 hearts, but with a 6-4 hand he/she may have bid 3 and so over 3 will now bid 4.

 Presuming that partner would have bid 3 instead of 3 with 5 clubs and 4 hearts, I will bid 6 over 4, taking the slight risk the outstanding 2 clubs are not AK in the same hand.”

Nigel Kearney “3: I am going to continue with 5C unless I hear 3NT from partner. Sometimes partner will have nothing but it's too pessimistic to play for that. As little as xxx xxx xxx K8xx makes game decent.

Kris Wooles “3: and if partner bids 3NT, I would pass but if 4 I’d bid 6. OK he may have a suit headed by the jack but if it is 6 cards, AK may fall in one round and hopefully I can pitch any losing spades in time. This is no time for too much science and I’m an optimist while being aware that partner may have a lousy hand.”

Julie Atkinson goes straight for 4NT Key card while the most optimistic of all is:

Peter Newell “6: could easily be wrong, but looks a fair shot. If playing 5 response to key to card shows 0-3 would bid 4NT just in case partner has no key cards.... very unlikely but possible. Hard to see how to bid 7 sensibly if partner has 2 key cards.

So, who was right?

 

It looks like 3 following the Lebensohl 2NT would have got 4 from North while had North bid 3 first time, it is hard to see them too enthused to bid their second suit.
It is interesting what might have happened had East not opened. I predict 3NT would be common and would have made on a heart lead from West. East's opening would have meant a plus score of down 2 off those who just choose to bid 3NT. I accept the argument that had West raised to 3, 3NT would not have been the final contract, though that raise is not automatic. Meanwhile, 5 is certainly the place to be if West knows to lead a spade...though maybe even higher in clubs if that is not the case. 

More for our JIN Club (Junior, Intermediate, Novice) players tomorrow being Fri day. 

Richard Solomon

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