SEPARATING THE MEN FROM THE BOYS (Part I)
Having had the privilege of being married to two Hall of Famers (one before the fact and one afterwards) is a huge plus in the free lesson category – but doesn’t do much for one’s self confidence. I am not normally a hand peddler because the guru with whom I live is very objective and not double dummy. However, a hand arose at a duplicate game this week while partnered by Bobby. I was reprimanded for my action – and want to lay off some of my frustration on my blogging friends at large. It was one of the most valuable lessons ever imparted to me over a very long bridge career. Here goes ….
With NS vulnerable, the bidding proceeds:
North East South West
1D 3C* 3H P
4H 4S ?
(*) Weak
I’d be interested in your call as South – holding: X AQ8XX K10XX AXX
If you are up to the challenge, please Comment on this site – or respond to me privately at kay19072@aol.com. I’d be very interested to hear your answer (and if you are so inclined – your reasoning as well).
Till tomorrow – for Part II.
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I think I should PASS [forcing] because my first bid in a new suit was @ the 3 level. Partner had an option over 3H to cue bid to show a good hand; so that marks it with a minimumish opening bid. From all the bidding by wjo – no suits will break well. Finally, if I bull forward with 5C or Blackwood – I’ve overstated my own hand – my suit is not so good. And lastly, the only other sane action I might take is 5D. George [husband] favors this one – but I prefer my Pass. I assume the scoring is match points. Imps makes this a harder problem.
As an inexperienced player,I’m somewhat confused.I suggest a pass for these reasons:
1.My partner may have been forced to bid 4H with no other good bid at his disposal
2.Having only 1Spade,spades should not behave well
3.Since this is a forcing pass, my partner ,hopefully, will know what to do
These cards look perfect to me. It may be an overbid, and probably betrays my 4-card major roots (where a one diamond opening shows real diamonds), but I’m going to jump to six diamonds.
Pass, forcing, the only path to pave the way to a possible diamond slam
I’m bidding on — although you could pass intending to pull the double, but I’m not sure what that buys you. I know things aren’t breaking, but what do you need from partner? King fourth of hearts and ace queen fifth of diamonds is probably enough, and there are many other hands that partner could have that will make slam opposite all these controls. You can’t be perfect over preempts, and I know partner could have some ugly balanced 12-count, but I think the odds are on your side. The question is what to bid, however… I think 6D is fraught, as partner may not pick the right suit, playing you for 5+ diamonds. 5D is ambiguous to say the least. I think 5C is probably the most flexible — even if partner’s hand is truly terrible, he can get out in 5H, and he has room to show the AD; if he does that, we’re playing a slam.
I’m with Ray. There’s no sense making control bids or forcing passes. I can tell from my hand that there’s a good chance partner can’t do anything to cooperate. I bid 6D and apologize if it doesn’t work out.