Hand of the Week - Thursday 4th Debember Board 7

Thursday 4^th December Board 7

There were a number of boards which could earn the award, not all of them are slam boards some were only contract boards.

I settled on this board as there were numerous ways it could be bid. South as dealer was holding the following cards

S. AKJT3

H. AKT9763

D. –

C. J

Under the Losing Trick Count (LTC), this hand has only 3 losers.

Firstly they could open 1H and wait to see what partner’s response is and then bid 3S. Probably not a good option.

Secondly if you play the Acol 2C (23+ hcp or the rule of 29, your hcp plus 2 longest suits, 16hcp + 12 cards, I know only 28, but it is forcing to game). Depending on your system your partner’s response should show a point count and you can make a decision from there, probably 4H.

If you play Benji then your opening is probably 2C, partner responses 2D, your 2H, maybe 3H (8 playing tricks in Hs). Partner as he has two tricks in Ds will bid 4H.

An opportunistic Benji player bid 2D, (forcing to game). Partner’s response is 2H (which is why one pair played 6H from N), can’t possibly make as E will lead AC and you must lose QH.

One pair thinking I am in first seat, (remember they only had 3 losers) I have 16 hcp, my partner must have something, so bid 6H.

Now the making of the contract is all up to W and what they lead, because only one lead can hold the contract to 5. Rather than I tell you have a look at W’s hand and decide for yourselves,

Colin

PS. When I describe the bidding I try to use bidding systems that  most people are familiar with. For instance somebody who plays Precision would open 1C, showing 16+ hcp, any shape. Other players may bid differently.