Hand of the week 8th February

3rd February Board 1

There were various hands where pairs should have been in slam but did not get there, but I have covered similar hands before. I chose this hand because both pairs had to make some choices.

N is dealer and passes. East has a good hand and after N passes is already thinking that they should be in game. Their hand is:

S –

H KQT3

D AK962

C A542

16hcp and void in S, effectively 20 points depending on how you value the void.

South puts a spoke in the works by bidding 4S showing 8 cards in S and probably about an opening hand.

W is in a quandary as they have 1S and 6hcp. W knows NS can only win 1S trick, but they should do something or do they just roll over and allow NS to play in 4S in which they have no defensive values (As or Ks). It depends on your system what you do next. Over a 3 level preempt, some pairs play double for takeout, others play 3NT for takeout and double for penalties. Do you apply your system at the 4 level knowing you will be at the 5 level. Remember the saying 4 is for you and 5 is for opps.

Judging from the results some played X for penalties, others rolled over, others bid to 5 level with then N sacrificing by bidding 5S holding 4 card S. Only one EW pair played in 5H.

Something to discuss with your partner as most pairs may not have a defense to a 4S bid.

TIP OF THE WEEK

Something I noticed on a Monday is a bidding sequence which should not happen. It is a pair playing 4 card majors opens 1C, partner immediately bids 1NT. Their partner sits there huffing and puffing what do I do now, WHY his partner has just denied 4 cards in C, D, H and S. After the hand is played I usually ask why did you bid 1NT, answer is usually “I wanted to show my partner I had 6-9 hcp”.

My response usually is but your partner wanted to know your 4 card suit and the only option you gave him/her was to play in NTs depending on his/her high card points.

HAND BELOW