HAND OF THE WEEK - FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER

There are two conventions or rules which can be used by EW.

First S with 17hcp and a 6 card C suit will bid 1C.

 W with 8 hcp and distributional hand with a 5521 shape, the 1 being the opening suit probably only has time for one bid so wants to give his partner as much as information as possible. A good way to do that is use a convention, in this case Michael’s Cue is the appropriate one, which shows 5/5 in the majors. They bid 2C.

This is not a surprise for N as they are 2/1 in the majors, with 6 cards in D and 4 cards in C and 6hcp, they would normally bid 2C in support of partner.  Time to revalue hand with 6hcp, length in D, 4 cards in C, a singleton and doubleton, revaluing would give about 10 points (not hcp), they could bid a new suit, 2D.

E now has decision to make, which major to bid and at what level. Being 5/4 in the majors, Total Trumps comes into play, 2S would be a weak bid, between E/W they 10 cards in S and 9 cards in H leaving only a total of 7 cards in minors  so NS must have 19 cards in minors. So make a decision 3S or 4S, you have no defence against a game in a minor suit.

S will probably bid to game in either 5D or 5C. Whether they considered the bid a sacrifice or a positive game bid you would have to ask the 50% of players who ended in a minor game contract..