Results for Set 5
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#1) East deals, both vulnerable
4
Q 10
A K 8 6 5 3
K 9 4 3
|
|
A K 7 5 2
A K 4 3
7 2
A 5
|
Deal 1 Scores:
6NT: 10
6
: 9
5NT: 7
5
: 5
4 MAJ: 2
East opens 1
and West will likely respond 2
, even if playing 2/1 GF. East rebids 2
(careful not to jump-shift with this hand--which might even show a splinter bid in support of diamonds!). West now can bid 3
, 3
, or notrump (I prefer 3
). At this point it is far from clear what should happen. East has lots of extra points, and would like to show them. A quantitative jump to 4NT would be useful, but many partnerships would interpret such a bid as Blackwood. Even after East shows slam interest, West is likely to reject. Slam is on 3-2 diamonds, so worth bidding--but not easy.
#2) West deals, both vulnerable, North bids 2
(natural)
A 5
J 10 7
A Q 10 7 5
K Q 2
|
|
K J 9 4
4 2
K J
A 10 9 5 3
|
Deal 2 Scores:
5
: 10
5
: 9
4
: 8
4
: 7
2NT: 5
3
: 3
3NT: 2
4
: 1
The 5-2 diamond fit is best (since
Jxxx of clubs offside might be picked up). If in range, West opens 1NT, and East must cope with the overcall. There are many possibilities -- see my article(s) on this: Notrump interference Intermediate or Advanced. East has to choose between a negative double, 3
, or some form of lebensohl. The key is to avoid 3NT without the heart stopper--all depending on the methods.
#3) West deals, nobody vulnerable
J 10 8
7 4
K 9 2
A K J 10 4
|
|
A 3
8 2
A Q 8 7 6 4
Q 8 3
|
Deal 3 Scores:
5
/
: 10
4
/
: 6
2NT: 3
3NT: 1
In real life, 3NT is the most-reached contract. In bidding practice, it isn't as likely to be the top spot. Here, the key is to avoid 3NT since hearts aren't stopped. West opens 1
(nobody passes this hand in today's world, do they?). East responds 1
and West will probably rebid 1NT to show 12-14 balanced (stoppers, schmoppers!). East is likely to raise to 3NT, so something must be wrong. Playing weak notrumps, the auction would go 1N-3N. Is there an intelligent way to avoid the doomed notrump game? Some Wests might find a rebid other than 1NT, but I can't agree with such an action.
#4) East deals, nobody vulnerable
Q J 10 7 6
J 4 3
K J 4 3
A
|
|
A 2
K Q 9 7 6 5 2
A Q
J 3
|
Deal 4 Scores:
6
: 10
5
: 6
East opens 1
and West likely responds 1
. East is now worth 3
. West could use RKC, but that would be embarrassing if his side is off the cashing
AK. A more proper bid would be 4
. It is "too late" for clubs, so this should show a club control (Ace, King, Void, or singleton), heart support, and slam interest. It is important for partnerships to have some sort of agreement like "No new suits on the 4-level." This is a generalization, but on this auction (opener jump rebids his suit), 4-of-an-unbid minor should be a control-bid raise. Over 4
, East might use RKC. I expect most pairs to eventually Blackwood their way into the excellent slam.
Full Book by Larry Cohen with Bidding Practice and results/analysis