Hand of the week 11th December

Thursday 11^th December Board 23

South is dealer, with only 9hcp, Pass.

West, Pass

North has 23 hcp and a balanced hand (5332 is balanced).

There are a number of bids which can be used, firstly

Standard Acol 2C showing 23+ hcp or the rule of 29 which is the number of hcp plus two longest suits, eg. 20 hcp plus 5S and 4H comes to 29. There are numerous responses, some use 2D as a relay awaiting partners response or others bid a suit showing a point count. If it is a relay then Partner will bid 2 NT showing 23 or 24 hcp, if partner had 25+ they should bid 3NT. Hcp are 32+ so they should be in 6NT. If a point count then N now knows they 32+ and again should be in 6NT.

One bidding system is Benji, 2D again showing 23+. After their partner should bid 2H with 5 or less hcp, 2S 6 - 8hcp and any bid above shows shape of hand and 9+ hcp. 2NT should be balanced and 3 of suit shows 5 cards. Partner Ace ask and followed by King ask.  Again reaching 6NT.

Both pairs who reached slam had a AD lead and they the followed with either a low D or JD, this lead up D and when C and H are played you discard losing S leaving Ax in hand and Kx in Dummy.  An easy 6 NT.

As mentioned previously there are other bidding possibilities so i am using the ones which the most used in our Club.

HAND IS DISPLAYED BELOW.