Author: Larry Cohen
Date of publish: 08/20/2009
Level: All Levels
Getting knocked out of the Grand National Teams, qualified me to play in the 2009 Life Master Pairs in Washington D.C. (Note the sarcasm). With neither side vulnerable, I held these cards:
5 2
K Q 10 9 5 4
--
J 8 7 6 3My partner passed, and RHO, Hall-of-Famer Kerri Sanborn, opened 2
. Should I enter or keep my mouth shut?
I entered. Wanting a heart lead against a potential 3NT contract, I ventured 3
. This was met promptly with a penalty double passed back to me. Should I run? I stood pat, and played in 3
X.
This was the full deal:
West |
North |
East |
South |
-- |
Pass |
2
|
3
|
Double |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
Vul: None Dir: North |
J 9 8 7 6 4
--
6 5 3
K Q 4 2
|
|
--
A J 8 7
A K Q J 10
A 10 9 5
|
|
A K Q 10 3
6 3 2
9 8 7 4 2
--
|
|
5 2
K Q 10 9 5 4
--
J 8 7 6 3
|
|
What a case of good news and bad news!
Bad was partner's hearts void.
Good was partner's club fit.
Bad was that I hadn't decided to run to 4
.
Good was that partner had no defense against diamonds, so this might not be a bad result.
Bad was that I was down four, -800.
Good was that East-West can make at least 6
(worth 920).
Bad was that the field wasn't in 6
. We got slightly below average, but it sure would have been fun to follow this board around the room and watch it at every table.
Note North's discipline in not opening a weak 2
, Note East's undisciplined 2
opening. Note my aggressive 3
overcall. Note West's happy penalty double.
I don't have a clue as to what the moral is.