A LIGHTER LOOK

 West deals none vulnerable

                                      8532

                                      KJ954

                                      74

                                      65

 AT97                                                       Q

 2                                                             AT8763

 AJT9                                                      Q3

 J974                                                       AT82

                                     KJ64

                                     Q

                                     K8652

                                     KQ3                  

If your system allows for opening a 1NT bid with a 4441 shape or indeed any other unbalanced hand shape then having a partnership agreement that a redouble of a double by opponent’s of a transfer bid partner to show  2 or less cards held in the suit transferred to and 5 cards in the transfer suit and willingness to defend is a clever bid to have in one’s partnership agreements.

This agreement could also be used if partnership’s always open 1NT with balanced hands if modified to show exactly 2 cards.

What is interesting is that on the actual hands it appears 5 is a makeable contract: 6311 tricks  losing just the KQ and 3NT has chances. 2XX going 3 off scores far better but South is unlikely to pass and instead bid 2 after asking what the redouble shows and end up in 2X. Unfortunately this doesn’t play any better than 2 but only loses 500.

So if one is going to open West’s hand to find 5 is there a better bid than 1NT for this 4441 shaped hand?

Well perhaps not better we play a 1 catch all bid that caters for 4441 shape hands.

Our bidding would be:

N        E        S        W

                               1

-         1N      2    2

-         2N       -        3

-         3     -         4

-         5

where:

1 is 0-25 HCP <= 7 losers 4M (if < 7 losers 4441 shape)

1N is <= 8 losers positive response

2 is 7 losers and 4144  or 4054

2N  is a relay ask for more info

3 is 4441 shape option 10 total losers

3 is CRO relay

4 is 2 A of opposite rank/colour.

As East has 6 losers from rule of 18 this indicates they can possibly make a 5 level contact and from law of total losers that apart from 2A West at best also has the Q; which doesn’t look promising. After bidding 5 West is very lucky to see partner’s solid diamonds reward the brave.

In our system a double of 2 overcall  would show 5+ and 7 losers and a pass 5+ and 7 losers.

Started by SEAN LYNCH on 28 Feb 2019 at 01:44AM