But what if everyone's bidding? Whose game is it then? Generally the last person to make a guess loses, here's a hand:
♠ | Q J 8 6 5 4 2 |
♥ | K J |
♦ | T 8 7 |
♣ | 3 |
You're third in chair at nil vul and you're playing for IMPs rather than matchpoints. You watch the following auction:
North |
East |
You |
West |
1♦ |
X |
1♠ |
4♥ |
Pass |
Pass |
? |
|
How many points do you think you have between the two hands? We're told that 4
♠ over 4
♥ is right almost always, is there any reason to expect something else here? There's some chance that both games make and there's a good chance that both games fail; if that's the concern 4
♠ is the bid. I thought it was a pretty clear action; any voices of dissent? What about when East doubles? Doubt creeping into anyone's mind?
Vul: Nil
Dealer: N |
♠ | - |
♥ | 6 4 2 |
♦ | A K Q J 9 5 4 |
♣ | A 8 2 |
|
♠ | A 9 |
♥ | T 9 7 5 3 |
♦ | 6 |
♣ | Q J T 7 5 |
| |
♠ | K T 7 3 |
♥ | A Q 8 |
♦ | 3 2 |
♣ | K 9 6 4 |
|
|
♠ | Q J 8 6 5 4 2 |
♥ | K J |
♦ | T 8 7 |
♣ | 3 |
|
Turns out both 4
♥ and 4
♠ fail, the former only if North gets a spade ruff but the later can't avoid three trumps and a heart. I'm sure you've noticed though that none of that matters when you're losing a stack of IMPs to 5
♦. West has taken a wild action here but in doing so ensured that he's not last to guess.
Did North say if he considered removing 4S to 5D?
ReplyDeleteHBJ replying : North in my view has eight solid tricks in diamonds, and should not let 4H stand. He/she must double for penalties or next best pull it to 5D. South should never bid 4S given East's double that could be well based on a spade holding. But 4H doubled could be very profitable.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous underlead of a the telling diamond 9 to partner's 10 ( I've seen it done many times ) gets its reward. A super low spade back ruffed. The club Ace followed by a club ruff. A second spade ruff and a second club ruff. 3 off all marvellous stuff.
North paused for some time over 4♠ and again after the double; there was definitely thought. I'm not totally convinced 5♦ is correct but it works magic here.
ReplyDeleteThe double could be 34 in the majors rather than 43 in which case 4♠ would be more comfortable.