Overcall lunacy

During the NZ teams I played on a 5 person team which wasn't very serious about its chances. We had two pairs that had played quite a bit together but they had a player in common so at most we had one stable partnership.

We had 5 players because a couple of weeks before the event a long term club member cast around for a team to join. He didn't want to play many matches he said but wanted to attend and play the event, just to see if he could keep up. That long term club member was John Wignall both the WBF 1st Vice President and winner of the NZ teams 14 years before I was born.

Nobody dreamed of saying no and so I got the opportunity to play on a team and at the table with a New Zealand bridge legend. And what did I pick up?

♠	7 6 4 3
♥	A K T 9 4
♦	8 5
♣	8 7

After one pass, John opened 1♦, and before I could bid 1♥ my right hand opponent did. Pass, pass back to John who doubled ending the auction.

Totally unused to playing natural attitude then count (I normally play reverse count then attitude) I slipped a defensive trick but we still landed +800 which green against red seemed like a good result.

	♠ A T 5 ♥ 3 ♦ A J T 8 7 4 2 ♣ A K
♠ Q 9 8 2 ♥ 8 7 5 ♦ Q ♣ Q J 9 6 2		♠ K J ♥ Q J 6 2 ♦ K 6 3 ♣ T 5 4 3
	♠ 7 6 4 3 ♥ A K T 9 4 ♦ 8 5 ♣ 8 7

A good result indeed, what was East up to? Back at score up we call out +800 and team mates call +50 so I write a 13 under "Imps gained". If only that were the whole story....

West	North	East	South
Pass	1♣	1♥	X
2♥	!3♦!	pass	blah
pass	blah	pass	blah
pass	6♦	end

1♣ was precision, and the first double penalties. West offered up 1400 and was turned down in favour of the non-vulnerable, failing, slam.

NZ Pairs

Playing the main event this year with Laura we managed four solid sets over the two days of qualifying: 49.9, 56.2, 53.8 and 54.5. That positioned us 28th out of 224 starters and just sneaking into the 14 table final on day three.

The final was always going to be tough and we didn't improve though we came close almost every round. It wasn't all bad though, there were lots of successes and this was one against a couple of ex-Kiwi Australians:

They had a free run of the auction and this is how they used it:

	South	North
Could be short	1♣	1♦	Shows hearts
12-14, 2 hearts	1NT	2♣	Weak ♦ or invite
Forced	2♦	2♥	Invite 6♥
Partial accept 4♠	2♠	4♠	Game!

I was on lead holding:

♠	7 2
♥	J 8 5 3
♦	J 2
♣	A K J 8 2

On the auction the major shapes are crystal clear, partner has a singleton heart. Given my side entry a heart ruff looks like the best source of tricks. Declarer won the lead with the ten in dummy, played a spade to hand and lost the spade finesse to Laura's Queen leaving me looking at this:

	♠ A 4 ♥ K Q 9 7 2 ♦ 9 5 4 ♣ -
♠ ♥ J 8 5 ♦ J 2 ♣ A K J 8 2

Disappointed that my plan for an entry had failed I didn't really believe we would set this contract when partner produced the ♦6 and declarer the Ten.

I was in! I wasn't sure why but that's hardly important. I gave partner her ruff and she cashed the top two diamonds securing a two trick set and our best board of the whole final.

The complete deal:

	♠ A T 4 3 ♥ K Q T 9 7 2 ♦ 9 5 4 ♣ -
♠ 7 2 ♥ J 8 5 3 ♦ J 2 ♣ A K J 8 2		♠ Q 6 5 ♥ 6 ♦ A K 6 3 ♣ T 7 5 4 3
	♠ K J 9 8 ♥ A 4 ♦ Q T 8 7 ♣ Q 9 6

Any contract can make

When dummy goes down and you see immediately you need a suit to break to fulfill your contract that's normal. When you need two suits to break that's not as much fun. When you need two suits to break, a finesse and, a miss defense so grievous only pulling the wrong card could explain it, then you're in trouble. Yes, trouble.

♠ 5 ♥ A K Q 8 5 3 ♦ A J 7 5 ♣ A 4		♠ Q T 9 6 4 3 ♥ - ♦ T 4 ♣ K Q 8 7 6

If you had to guess the contract you'd probably say 4♥ or 5♣. Maybe 6♣ or an off beat 3NT if I asked further but nowhere near the top of the list is 5♦.

North led the K♠, South discarding a heart, and we all remarked at how poorly the vulnerable 3♠, which we'd had the chance to double, would have played.

Next came a small spade from North which I covered perforce and South ruffed with the deuce. I over ruffed and tried a diamond toward table which North grabbed with glee.

The pondering that came next revealed that Norths glee might have been premature but eventually another diamond came back. That picked up the diamond suit for one loser. Souths first round pitch of the heart was from four small so the hearts now ran leaving me a little bewildered and with eleven tricks.

	♠ A K J 8 7 4 2 ♥ J T 4 ♦ Q 8 3 ♣ -
♠ 5 ♥ A K Q 8 5 3 ♦ A J 7 5 ♣ A 4		♠ Q T 9 6 3 ♥ - ♦ T 4 ♣ K Q 8 7 6 2
	♠ - ♥ 9 7 6 2 ♦ K 9 6 2 ♣ J T 9 5 3

This keeps happening...

The following hand has some interesting possibilities:

♠	A T 9 5 2
♥	Q 9 6 4 3
♦	Q 4
♣	J

Nice shape but the suit quality lets it down. The short honours in the minors will be worth almost nothing most of the time and absolutely nothing the rest.

Still when partner opens 1NT it's worth driving to game in a major. Playing a hoopless* system I can transfer to spades then rebid 4♥ and expect to be in the right spot. However the auction took a bit of a turn.

My heart transfer was doubled by someone playing a hoopy system where double shows either lead directional in hearts or a penalty double of 1NT. Not a bad idea in principle.

My partners pass denied any interest in spades. Right hand opponent, who had been dealt a hand without any interesting possibilities, and who hadn't been consulted on this new treatment of double, also passed. Which left me in the pass out seat of 2♥ doubled when my intention had been to bid 4.

Making 5, +770

	♠ Q 7 ♥ K J T ♦ A J 8 7 ♣ A 9 7 4
♠ K 6 3 ♥ A 8 2 ♦ K 9 6 ♣ K Q 8 2		♠ J 8 4 ♥ 7 5 ♦ T 5 3 2 ♣ T 6 5 3
	♠ A T 9 5 2 ♥ Q 9 6 4 3 ♦ Q 4 ♣ J

^*Lacking in hoops one must jump through to show a hand. No relation to hopeless.

They played in my suit!

It's unusual to see the opponents settle in your suit and more so when you have six of them. From there it's most unlikely that you'll come out with a below average score but bridge being bridge it happens.

	♠ Q J 7 5 ♥ A Q 9 7 ♦ - ♣ T 9 8 5 2
♠ 9 4 ♥ J 5 ♦ A T 8 6 5 4 ♣ J 6 4		♠ A 8 3 2 ♥ K T 8 4 3 2 ♦ 7 ♣ Q 3
	♠ K T 6 ♥ 6 ♦ K Q J 9 3 2 ♣ A K 7

After two passes partner opened a weak two. Somewhat unusual for it contains four of the other major but in 3rd chair anything goes. South bid 3♦ and thinking I was on to a good thing I put on a rendition of the disinterested pass.

There they played losing a spade a club and three diamonds, down one.

Those who stuck to the `no weak two with a four card major' rule didn't open the East cards and North South flailed around usually finding 3NT (sometimes 5 minor).

There's no good reason why 3NT plays worse than diamonds and one excellent reason why it plays better (the clubs break). Unfortunately you do need to be careful 3NT as there are several wrong steps available and it was beyond many of our clubs declarers. +100 wasn't worth enough.

High level fun

With the dealer on my left and vul against not I picked up:

♠	Q T
♥	A Q 6 4
♦	K 9 7 6 4
♣	K T

which is a 14 count. Before I'd managed to count to 14 though (I am quite slow) the auction had made its way round to me:

West	North	East	South
5♣	5♥	Pass	?

Questions, questions. How has partner bid at the five level with such poor trumps? Who opens 5♣ anyway?

Considerations, considerations. We must have most of the points in this deck. It would be nice to protect the ♣K for the admittedly unlikely chance of of 8221 clubs.

Decisions, decisions. I can always hold the club suit in NT. It's pairs and NT scores the best.

	♠ A K 9 5 ♥ K J 9 8 7 5 ♦ A 8 ♣ 7
	♠ Q T ♥ A Q 6 4 ♦ K 9 7 6 4 ♣ K T

Also thinking in terms of matchpoints, West, led the ♣A and I claimed without playing a card. If that hadn't happened, how would you play?

Perfect Partial

Here's a well played hand from last nights club pairs session. We had what I'm sure many would consider a standard auction:

♠ Q J 9 5 4 ♥ A 7 3 ♦ A K 9 ♣ 6 2		♠ K 7 3 2 ♥ Q 9 8 ♦ T 8 3 ♣ A K J
Tim		Some Idiot
-		1♦1
1♠		1NT2
2♣3		2♠4
4♠

1. Anti-systemic to put off the diamond lead
2. Lying
3. Checkback
4. Can I really deny a fit twice?

The lead was a small club which was won and partner pulled a small spade to the Queen. Not only did it lose to the Ace but South showed out with a discouraging diamond.

The club return was finessed and a diamond was thrown on the King. Two rounds of diamonds then a spade to the table left this position.

♠ J 9 5 ♥ A 7 3 ♦ - ♣ -		♠ 7 3 ♥ Q 9 8 ♦ T ♣ -

A diamond ruffed in hand was followed by the Jack of spades completing the partial elimination and a heart to the 9 left South on lead with no winning options:

	♠ A T 8 6 ♥ J 5 2 ♦ Q 7 5 ♣ Q 9 7
♠ Q J 9 5 4 ♥ A 7 3 ♦ A K 9 ♣ 6 2		♠ K 7 3 2 ♥ Q 9 8 ♦ T 8 3 ♣ A K J
	♠ - ♥ K T 6 4 ♦ J 6 4 2 ♣ T 8 5 4 3

Nicely done partner!

A new score

As unusual auctions go the one I'm about to show you is remarkable because it contains only two bids. Two bids and a double.

This was my hand:

♠	A Q 4
♥	6 5 3 2
♦	Q J 7 6 5
♣	6

All vul, playing pairs my partner dealt and opened a club - that's one bid. Since we play a transfer system and we show majors before minors I bid 1♦ - see what's coming?

Left hand opponent holding a lot of points completed the first half of a double and bid; and was left hanging.

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Pass
1♦*	Dbl	Pass	Pass
Pass

	♠ T 8 5 ♥ J 8 ♦ A K T ♣ A T 8 7 4
♠ K 9 6 3 ♥ A K Q 9 7 4 ♦ - ♣ K Q 3		♠ J 7 2 ♥ T ♦ 9 8 4 3 2 ♣ J 9 5 2
	♠ A Q 4 ♥ 6 5 3 2 ♦ Q J 7 6 5 ♣ 6

I'd never scored +340 before, have you?

Unlikely Destination

Lack of updates has become a common theme on ToyBridge lately but when this hand came up I knew I had some great material. I was playing pairs and since it was board 13 everyone was vulnerable.

Partner, West, started off with 1♥ which gave me the impression that he had 5 of them and opening values. North passed which presumably denied a bid. These assumptions will turn out to be false.

Still I held:

♠	6
♥	Q J 8 3
♦	5 3
♣	Q T 9 8 3 2

and the action obvious to me was to bid game in hearts. There's a good chance it'll make and even if it doesn't 3♠ may well make and opponents may misjudge whether or not to bid 4♠.

Another thing I didn't know at the time is that South now had a penalty double available. The axe slammed into 4♥ with a wet thump causing everybody to wince a little. Not to worry though as the double was pulled to 4♠.

West	North	East	South
1♥	Pass	4♥	X
Pass	4♠	?

I'll admit I'm embarrased at how long I thought here, there's no way I have anything more to contribute to this auction. South was visibly distraught that her penalty double hadn't stuck but trying to make the best of a bad situation bid 5♣.

And that's where it ended.

	♠ K J 9 8 7 4 3 ♥ 7 ♦ 9 7 6 2 ♣ 7
♠ A Q T 5 ♥ T 9 4 2 ♦ K Q J 4 ♣ 4		♠ 6 ♥ Q J 8 3 ♦ 5 3 ♣ Q T 9 8 3 2
	♠ 2 ♥ A K 6 5 ♦ A T 8 ♣ A K J 6 5

Two speeds

Playing a casual teams match I picked up a really good hand:

♠	J 8 7 2
♥	Q J 3
♦	J 9 7
♣	Q T 7

Favourable and as dealer partner opened 1♥. My RHO overcalled 2♦ and anxious to convey the true nature of my hand I passed.

This is what came back:

South	West	North	East
1♥	2♦	Pass	2♠
3♣	3♠	?

Interesting, bidding into our opponents strong auction without any help partner actually has a hand. Better own up to our two queens:

South	West	North	East
1♥	2♦	Pass	2♠
3♣	3♠	4♥	4♠
5♥	X	End

Blast! With all this defence surely we wanted to defeat their vulnerable game rather than take our chances at the five level.

	♠ J 8 7 2 ♥ Q J 3 ♦ J 9 7 ♣ Q T 7
♠ Q 4 3 ♥ T 5 ♦ A K Q 6 5 ♣ A 4 2		♠ A K T 6 5 ♥ 9 2 ♦ T 8 4 2 ♣ 8 3
	♠ 9 ♥ A K 8 7 6 4 ♦ 3 ♣ K J 9 6 5

Shows what I know. Their game is not only cold but they should have bid five over five because that makes as well. We concede a mere hundred for finding the profitable sacrifice. How did things go over at the other table:

South	West	North	East
1♥	X	1♠	4♠

Two very different speeds.

Reverse bidding challenge

Time to do something a bit different. This is a reverse bidding challenge so rather than voting for the bid you'd make you vote for the situation you'd bid in.

Here's an example, all vul, imps and right hand opponent (first to act) opens some number of hearts:

♠	A Q T 7 6
♥	T 8 7
♦	5 4
♣	K Q 5

I would bid over a 1♥ opening but I wouldn't bid over 2♥ so I'll vote 2♥. See? You select the point at which you wouldn't bid.


Here's another example, this time partner was the dealer but passes and RHO opens spades:

♠	K 3
♥	A Q J T 7 6 3
♦	A 9 4 2
♣	-

Wow, what a hand. I'd definitely be bidding over 1, 2 and 3 spades and I think 4♠ too but I'd make a penalty double thereafter. Penalty doubles don't count for this challenge so I would be answering 5♠.



Everyone on board? Assuming openers bid is natural/pre-emptive you vote for the lowest opening you'd either pass or penalty double. Playing imps, all vul with the dealer on your left you see two passes and a diamond opening holding:

♠	A J 5
♥	J T 4
♦	A 6
♣	A K T 6 5

Where would you give up?

Needing an extra trick or two

Playing club bridge I pick up this possibility rich collection:

♠	Q
♥	5 3
♦	A T 5 3
♣	A K Q 8 6 4

Nice shape, good source of tricks, three suits controlled. Everything you could want for a strong club opening so that's what I did. The vagaries of our relay system aside the auction went like this:

South	West	North	East
1♣	Pass	blah	X
blah	2♣	blah	Pass
blah	Pass	blah	Pass
blah	Pass	blah	Pass
3NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Why 3NT? Well because my partner had shown a major two suiter. I'd like to say I knew exactly what his shape was but I was off by a card. As my hand is completely unknown* West led their suit advancing the ♣J.

	♠ J 9 5 2 ♥ A Q T 9 7 4 ♦ K 6 4 ♣ -
♠ T 8 6 3 ♥ 2 ♦ J 7 2 ♣ J T 9 5 3		♠ A K 7 4 ♥ K J 8 6 ♦ Q 9 8 ♣ 7 2
	♠ Q ♥ 5 3 ♦ A T 5 3 ♣ A K Q 8 6 4

It looks like we should have stopped several blahs ago and doubled 2♣.

Winning the first trick I wanted to keep up with those in hearts so hoping for an onside knave I played a heart to the ten. That didn't work and back came the seven of clubs. I covered delicately with the eight which West won and returned the three... round to my four.

The clubs are now up and East must find four discards, two spades and a heart are easy then a diamond gets the bump on the last club. West has the luxury of only making one discard and having four safe spades to choose from.

Safety was never Wests `thing' and away went the ♦2. The diamonds are now up and this is the position:

	♠ - ♥ A Q 9 7 ♦ K 6 ♣ -
♠ T 8 6 3 ♥ - ♦ J 7 ♣ -		♠ A K ♥ K 6 ♦ Q 9 ♣ -
	♠ Q ♥ 5 ♦ A T 5 3 ♣ -

Cashing two diamonds ending in hand revealed the defensive error and when I won the next round East began to squirm. Unable to guard spades and hearts something had to give and I made the rest of the tricks.

When dummy came down there were six tricks and with no finesses working or suits breaking somehow I ended up with eleven!

*My hand is almost certainly centered on clubs and may have diamonds as well - why else would 3NT be right opposite 4630?


Extra for esotericists: What's the line to make 4♥ by North?

2NT in competition

There's a popular saying that goes "2NT is not a contract, it's a convention."

What about this hand:

♠	K T 8 4
♥	Q T 4
♦	K 8 2
♣	J 5 4

Part	Opp	You	Opp
1♣	Pass	1♠	2♥
X	Pass	?

If the double shows 3 card support, where would you like to play?

Passing the double is unwise but you can hardly bid 3♣ either; a 3 - 3 fit is a possibility.

Would you accept the Moysian and bid 2♠ hoping that partner won't raise to game or you won't get forced off or that the defense can't score a heart ruff on the lead?

2NT here needs to be natural.

Missed my cue

The opponents can't see your cards.

It's easy to forget that and pretend that just because you can see the problem your opponents can too. With that in mind have a look at this hand:

♠	A K Q 9 5
♥	J 5
♦	A 7 5 3 2
♣	K

Here's the start to the auction:

West	North	East	South
1♣	Pass	1♥1	Pass
2♣2	Pass	3♦3	Pass
4♦	Pass	?

1. Transfer
2. Natural but denies 3♠
3. 2♦ would be non-forcing

Slam looks likely but what's the best way to get there? You could use keycard but if partner has two you're in six and might be off two cashing hearts.

You could cue your spades but partner is most likely to cue 5♣ and you don't know any more. Even without the ♣A you may have 12 tricks available.

I realised too late that, the best solution, was to cue my heart control.

Learning bridge feels hard (link)

Here's a post I stumbled across a while ago. It's about learning to write software (the other flavour of blog I frequent) but it applies at least as much to bridge.

Go have a read: You have to get good before you get better.

Paraphrasing:

I think people successfully learn how to play bridge when they treat their progress as an inevitability so long as they put in the work. They don’t track how well they’re doing, and they don’t think about it day to day. They concentrate on learning. On building a base of knowledge.

RKCB for the lose!

On a cold wintery evening while shuffling and dealing for bidding practice (with all the deuces removed) I was handed this:

♠	5
♥	6
♦	A K Q J T 9
♣	A K Q J T

That's a two loser, eleven playing trick hand. Partner opens 1♥.

There are only three likely end points for this auction, 5♦, 6♦ or 7NT depending entirely on whether partner has zero, one or two bullets. How to find out is a different story you see 4NT, is Roman Key Card Sodding Blackwood.

Does anyone have any clever tricks to solve this particular problem?

I'm far from happy with the auction we ended up with which involved me poncing around trying to set diamonds and facing an uncooperative partner gambling that two keycards in hearts might be enough.

♠ 5 ♥ 6 ♦ A K Q J T 9 ♣ A K Q J T		♠ A J 9 7 2 ♥ A J T 6 4 3 ♦ 4 ♣ -

At least dummy has a diamond! Can you imagine hopefully leading towards the ♠5 at trick two, praying for the 3 and 4 to complete the trick avoiding five light?

Making 3NT - the answer

This is the answer to the question posted a few days ago. If you haven't read the problem go here to take a look.


As AA will tell us, the first step is admitting you have a problem. With 29 combined points and every suit double stopped it's hard to believe this contract is vulnerable. As a few people suggested the danger is this:

	♠ Q J T ♥ A Q 8 ♦ K 9 ♣ A J 8 4 3
♠ K 8 7 4 3 ♥ J 9 5 4 3 ♦ A 7 ♣ 5		♠ 9 6 ♥ 7 ♦ T 8 6 5 4 ♣ K 9 7 6 2
	♠ A 5 2 ♥ K T 6 2 ♦ Q J 3 2 ♣ Q T

Against this layout if you play a club before a diamond you go down. Whether you take the club finesse or lead small from the table East will win the first round, fire a spade through and you cannot uncook your goose.

How will you make 3NT?

Playing in a teams match recently the following hand came up. It's a fantastic hand to learn from and a great example of thoughtful bridge.

	♠ Q J T ♥ A Q 8 ♦ K 9 ♣ A J 8 4 3
♠ 4
	♠ A 5 2 ♥ K T 6 2 ♦ Q J 3 2 ♣ Q T

I sat West. South opened a 12 - 14 1NT which sent North into a fit of tsking, and umming. Finally after bidding 3NT they dumped their hand on the table with a plea that South not make 12 tricks.

The lead I made, my 4th highest spade, did not beat the tables Queen.
Now is the time, to pick the best line, how will you make 3NT?

Update: Sorry, the lead is a 4th.

How to win a pairs event

Or at least how to get pushed into game and make it. Last weekend I played two tournaments with regular commentator James. We won the pairs with two sessions in the mid fifties separated by a 68% monster in the middle.

Here's an example of the sort of hand that usually breeds a story:

♠	A 8 6 4
♥	Q 8 3
♦	T 9 6 4
♣	8 7

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	Pass
1♠	2♣	3♠	Pass
Pass	4♣	Pass	Pass
?

Horrible. West bid 4♣ confidently, like it's a certain thing. We're green though and that means if the opponents forget to double we can safely go down two! Lets try:

	♠ K Q T 9 ♥ 7 6 2 ♦ A K Q 8 2 ♣ J
♠ J 2 ♥ K T 9 ♦ J ♣ A K Q T 6 4 2		♠ 7 5 3 ♥ A J 5 4 ♦ 7 5 3 ♣ 9 7 3
	♠ A 8 6 4 ♥ Q 8 3 ♦ T 9 6 4 ♣ 8 7

A♣, K♥, A♥, end. Not sparkling defense but ten tricks and a bunch of matchpoints.



But what say you pick up this:

♠	K 8
♥	A K 9 8
♦	T 4 3
♣	T 8 7 6

And the auction is slower and more tortuous:

South	West	North	East
Pass	Pass	1♦	Pass
1♥	1♠	2♥	2♠
X	Pass	3♥	3♠
?

You doubled to invite but partner turned you down. The opponents push on and wanting to protect when we hold the balance a 'sacrifice' in game looks like an option...

	♠ A 4 ♥ J T 4 2 ♦ K Q J 8 7 ♣ 9 2
♠ Q T 7 5 3 ♥ 7 5 ♦ 9 ♣ A Q J 5 3		♠ J 9 6 2 ♥ Q 6 3 ♦ A 6 5 2 ♣ K 4
	♠ K 8 ♥ A K 9 8 ♦ T 4 3 ♣ T 8 7 6

On a spade lead all that needs to work is a heart finesse and ten more tricks roll home. Sometimes you just can't bid to the right spot without a little help from you friends. And after all if your opponents played perfectly there would be no chance of getting a trinket like this.

Stepping out

We all have an internal set of rules that guide when and what we bid. Usually we follow them without thinking but from time to time temptation appears and they fall away. Here's a hand I picked up a while ago on a club pairs night:

♠	A J 9 7 2
♥	T 7 3
♦	A K Q
♣	Q 4

My right hand opponent dealt and opened 3♣.

I suspect the expert opinion would favour a pass here perhaps with double as a candidate.

Figuring that everyone else would overcall and not wanting to be left behind I bid 3♠. Partner raised to game, left hand opponent doubled and I went down two earning exactly zero matchpoints.

Lets have a peek at what left hand opponent has:

♠	K T 8 3
♥	Q 4
♦	T 8 7 4 3
♣	9 3

What? Their partner pre-empted and looking at a maximum of two tricks they doubled? How fortunate that the clubs were 7222 around the table and their partner had the AK and the ♠Q.

Call it unlucky but if I'd just passed...

	♠ 6 5 4 ♥ A K 9 8 6 5 ♦ J 2 ♣ 8 5
♠ K T 8 3 ♥ Q 4 ♦ T 8 7 4 3 ♣ 9 3		♠ Q ♥ J 2 ♦ 9 6 5 ♣ A K J T 7 6 2
	♠ A J 9 7 2 ♥ T 7 3 ♦ A K Q ♣ Q 4

The loser that vanishes

Normally in suit contracts we count losers and in NT contracts, winners. From there agonize about how to decrease or increase that amount to our satisfaction. But it is not always so:

	♠ Q ♥ T 6 4 3 ♦ A K J 9 3 ♣ 8 7 3
♠ J T 7 6 ♥ Q 9 2 ♦ 2 ♣ K T 9 6 4		♠ K 8 4 3 ♥ J 8 7 5 ♦ Q 7 5 ♣ Q 5
	♠ A 9 5 2 ♥ A K ♦ T 8 6 4 ♣ A J 2

A small spade lead sees you longing for 3NT, until the diamonds don't break. 3NT is doomed but how are you going to make 5♦? It would appear that there are 3 losers; two in clubs and that pesky, didn't drop when it was supposed to, trump queen.

Count your winners, the two black aces, two top trumps, the top hearts and 5 ruffs is eleven!

Play it out. Win the lead, draw two trumps, cash everything that will cash, ruff everything that won't and you'll be left with two small clubs opposite Jx and 11 tricks.

This sort of thing is called a trick compression, the poor defense make their three defensive tricks in the space of two defensive tricks. Effectively you lost one trick twice!



On to the bidding challenge. You're playing matchpoints, everyone is vulnerable, partner opens 1♥, RHO passes and you are playing SAYC:

♠	A Q J 3
♥	4
♦	K T 9 7 5 2
♣	8 2

The art of not pre-empting

Pre-empts encourage bidding. When we pre-empt we're using up space and trying to talk our opponents out of bidding; the problem is they know that and tend to overbid to compensate. Convincing the opponents to overbid when holding little defensive strength is a little odd.

Take a look at this example from a recent matchpointed pairs event:

Vul: NS Dealer: South	♠ Q ♥ A T 8 5 ♦ Q T 8 5 4 3 ♣ Q 8
♠ K 8 3 ♥ 7 ♦ K 7 2 ♣ K J T 6 5 4		♠ 7 5 4 ♥ K Q 9 6 3 ♦ A 6 ♣ A 3 2
	♠ A J T 9 6 2 ♥ J 4 2 ♦ J 9 ♣ 9 7

At most tables the South player advanced a weak two which ran to East who tried 3♥. West was left in an uncomfortable but easy situation, it's at least as likely there are 9 tricks in no trumps as hearts and it scores better.

3NT is a great spot and many declarers helped themselves to an overtrick. How many East Wests would reach it unassisted however? The bidding makes it's way around to East who opens a heart. West has a 2♣ rebid which East might raise but might pass. It's difficult to get beyond 3♣.

Maybe if the West hand were a shade stronger, possibly:

♠	K Q 3
♥	7
♦	T 7 2
♣	A J T 6 5 4

It could be opened at the one level and all would be well but I suspect the existing 10 count doesn't meet most partnerships criteria.

At my table our opponents didn't open the pre-empts which set them on track for an excellent board but then stumbled at their next opportunity:

South	West	North	East
Pass	Pass	Pass	1♥
Pass	2♣	2♦	Pass
2♠	Pass	3♦	Pass
Pass	X	3♠	Pass
Pass	X	End

About to stop bidding in two of a minor our generous opponents thoughtfully offered +800.

Gazilli

I've been asked for my notes on Gazilli so here they are. Now you no longer need to weigh up whether to jump rebid on your nice 5-5 shape 15 count, it's in the system!

Gazilli makes most sense in a 2/1 system where the 1NT response to a major opening can be a wide range.

Rebid structure
After opening 1♥ and hearing 1♠ from partner opener rebids like this. The structures if partner responds 1NT to either major opening are identical:

1NT	11 — 14	balanced
2♣	Gazilli
2♦	11 — 16	3+♦
2♥	11 — 16	6+♥
2♠	14 — 16	6♥ & 5♠
2NT	14 — 16	6♥ & 4+m
3♣	14 — 16	5♥ & 5♣
3♦	14 — 16	5♥ & 5♦
3♥	14 — 16	6+♥ (great suit)

Note that all 17⁺ hands go through Gazilli.

2NT rebid
Opener has shown a 6-4 shape with a better than minimum hand. Responder can now bid 3M to play, 3♣ pass or correct or 3♦ asking for the minor.

Gazilli
Gazzilli is a 2♣ rebid after a 1 of a major opening and is either natural showing clubs or conventionally 17⁺. The responses are as follows:

1♥ — 1♠ — 2♣ — ?

2♦	8+	any
2♥	5 — 7	2+♥
2♠	5 — 7	6+♠
2NT	5 — 7	3 suited short ♥
3♣/♦	5 — 7	6+♣/♦

1♥ — 1NT — 2♣ — ?

2♦	8+	any
2♥	5 — 7	2+♥
2♠	5 — 7	3 suited short ♥
2NT	5 — 7	5+♣ 5+♦
3♣/♦	5 — 7	6+♣/♦

1♠ — 1NT — 2♣ — ?

2♦	8+	any
2♥	5 — 7	5+♥
2♠	5 — 7	2+♠
2NT	5 — 7	3 suited short ♠
3♣/♦	5 — 7	6+♣/♦

Priorities
Responder with a weak hand should first look to bid a 7⁺ suit of their own then two of openers major with 2⁺ support finally a shorter suit or three-suited hand.

Follow Up
When responder bids 2♦ opener either rebids their major showing the weak option or any other bid 17⁺ GF.

If responder makes another bid they have a tight range of hands and opener is usually well placed to pick the contract or invite.

2NT and 3NT rebids
If opener rebids 3NT after Gazilli it shows 18 — 19 balanced, 5M332. The 2NT rebid can be used in one of two ways: to show 15 — 17 balanced (if you don't like 5M332 in your 1NT) or like the immediate 2NT rebid to differentiate a sixth card in the major suit.

Examples

West	East
1♥	1♠
2♣	2♦
3♣	3♦
3NT

West shows 17⁺ points, 5⁺♥, 4⁺♣ and a diamond stop. East has shown 4⁺♠ and 8⁺ points. The auction may be over at this point or East can bid on.

West	East
1♠	1NT
2♣	2♦
2♠	3♣

West has a natural 2♣ rebid, East shows 8 — 9 points by signing off in 3♣, 2NT would have been invitational.

West	East
1♠	1NT
2NT	3♦
3♥	4♣

At 3♥ West has shown 14 — 16 points with a 6-4 shape in spades and clubs. East has agreed clubs and is waiting for a cue.

West	East
1♥	1NT
2♣	2♥
3NT	Pass

West has 18 — 19 points balanced. East has 5 — 7 with 2 or possibly 3 hearts. East has denied a long suit.

West	East
1♥	1♠
2♣	2♠
Pass

East has 5 — 7 with 6⁺ spades. West has a natural 2♣ rebid or a poorly fitting 17 count.

Lead your longest suit

For most of us as soon as our hands were large enough to hold 13 cards our parents started with gentle lessons like "when defending no trumps lead your longest suit". Such early lessons are important for without such ingrained knowledge who, in their right mind, would lead ♦65432 expecting to set it up?

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	1♠	Pass
1NT	Pass	2♠	Pass
2NT	Pass	3NT	End

The auction makes more sense if you know NS play a weak no trump so South is marked with 15-17 high card points. It still doesn't meet the threshold of sensible but I'm on lead and my options look like this:

	♠ K Q T 7 3 2 ♥ J 8 ♦ K 8 7 ♣ 4 2
♠ A J 4 ♥ A 5 2 ♦ 6 5 4 3 2 ♣ 8 6		♠ 9 8 6 ♥ K T 6 ♦ J T ♣ K T 9 7 5
	♠ 5 ♥ Q 9 7 4 3 ♦ A Q 9 ♣ A Q J 3

Not wanting to give partner the wrong impression I led the ♦6. Declarer won and played a spade to the King then hoping for a lonely Jack played the Queen. Bravely I continued the ♦5 which didn't win but another spade back to me allowed the suit to be cleared by the ♦4.

Some number of tricks later I came to the ♥A and delightfully my ♦32 were worth a trick each!

To Gamble?

First a bidding challenge, it's IMPs, you're favourable and first to act. These are the cards you're dealt:

♠	A T 2
♥	A 8 7 6 5 2
♦	Q 7 4 3
♣	-

Well? Are you gonna do it? Does your partner agree?


Assuming you've voted I can get on with the story. If not then wave your eyes back up there and make a decision!

Whether it's correct or not I passed. The hand is two playable in other denominations for a weak two (not to mention the suit quality). I could open one but I'd need to get the bucket if partner responds 2♣.

Then the auction got exciting:

West	North	East	South
Pass!	3NT*	Pass	4♣

Second to act opened a gambling 3NT which his partner pulled. Presumably that meant they were wide open in a suit and that must mean we have a contract!

Not wanting to punish partner for making the wrong choice holding 4-4 or 5-4 in the majors I bid:

West	North	East	South
Pass	3NT	Pass	4♣
4♥	5♣	X	End

If you guessed at the layout you probably didn't guess this...

	♠ 9 6 ♥ J T 9 ♦ - ♣ A K T 9 8 6 4 3
♠ A T 2 ♥ A 8 7 6 5 2 ♦ Q 7 4 3 ♣ -		♠ 8 5 3 ♥ - ♦ A K J T 9 2 ♣ Q J 5 2
	♠ K Q J 7 4 ♥ K Q 4 3 ♦ 8 6 5 ♣ 7

North (following the system card) was of the opinion that 3NT showed a minor preempt. My partner had been enjoying herself wondering which minor North thought was solid. We'll never know if she would have pulled to 5♦ had North passed but double was worth +500 and 1 imp (crossed against 8 other tables).