[FrancesHinden]

Yesterday I played a 48 board Gold Cup match (the main UK KO, if you care). I don't believe our team had any systemic issues, but we had a few judgement hands in the auction and play. Here are the bidding ones, Play ones follow separately:

1.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

1D = in a 5CM, 10-13 1NT opening, 1D = 4+ cards open 1D on 4-4 in the minors style
2C = F1 (can pass a 2D, 2NT or 3C rebid)
x = take-out

Worth a move, or not?

2.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

1D = as above, but 1NT opening would have been 15-17

Worth a move, or not?

3.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

You play sound 2-level overcalls at red
Worth a try for game, a force to game or a minimum bid (pass/3C)?

4.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

Over the cue-bid, partner bids 3H (artificial) with nothing (0- 4 HCP or so), so 3NT shows about a good 4+ and a diamond stop.

Worth a try for slam in NT (4NT), in hearts (4H), a pass, or a stronger move?

5.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

1D = Blue club style (usually natural, limited to a poor 16 HCP)

6.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

1NT = 12-14
2C = hearts and another, anchor to shorter major
2NT = natural invitational (it's IMPs)
3S = both majors, longer or better spades if equal length
x = penalties; RHO also thought over 2C

Overcalling style is sound red at IMPs opposite a passed partner

[hrothgar]

Question 1:

You chose to bid 2♣ rather than making a negative double. Partner in turn, chose to bid 4♥ rather than

(a) Converting your double
(B) Rebidding Diamonds
© Bidding Clubs

Personally, I suspect that partner is sitting on a 3=4=4=2 hand. Failure to open 1NT suggests that partner holds 14+ HCP. (What would partner rebid with a minimum 3=4=5=1 hand?)

Slam looks pretty reasonable opposite

954
AJxx
AQxx
Kx

Ultimately, I expect this hand to boil down to whether partner has wasted honors in Spades. In any case, I'm bidding on...

[hrothgar]

Question 2:

I'm going to bid 3♣... Too many ways to go right

I like my King / 10 of Diamonds, as well as my Heart stiff. Equally significiant, the opps have a fit somewhere. Why give them the chance to balance?

[whereagles]

1. Pass. Too high to start inventing things.

2. 3♦. If pard shows his values with 3♥, there's heart wastage and I sign-off in 3♠. A 3♣ trial doesn't help because pard will often bid 3♦ and you'd be in the dark as to what he has in hearts.

3. 3♦, wtp?

4. 6♥. But only if pard can play them (otherwise 4♥).

5. Dbl. But only if pard isn't trigger-happy (otherwise 4♥).

6. Pass, wtp? Thinking of redoubling or something?

[hrothgar]

I think hand 3 is worth a game try.
Those 6 (hopefully) running clubs look lovely for NT.

I'm going to bid 2♠ and see what partner comes back with

[hrothgar]

Question 4: I'm a bit confused: If 4♥ is a slam try in Hearts, how do you show a minimum hand? (I suspect that the slam try inference was initiated by the 3♦ cue, but I wanted to make sure)

I lean towards a 4♣ cue. I'd like to see whether partner has the King or the Queen of Diamonds.

[hrothgar]

Question 5:

Partner rates to have a 2=2=4=5...

Kx
Jx
ATxx
KQxx

Might be typical hand... LHO's failure to raise Spades makes me think that he's sitting on Heart honors and not partner. I'm making a conservative pass on this one. (Glad to be non-vul)

[cherdano]

1. I would love 5♦ to be a natural slam try agreeing hearts, but I am sure it is not. I would try 4♠.
By the way, 2♣ rather than double worked out really nicely.

2. If 2♠ shows usually 4, I try 3♣. Playing frequent 3-card raises, I might pass.

3. 2♠. I am optimistic about game, but won't force there.

4. 4♥ sounds right to me.

5. This is really tough. How artificial can 1♦ be? I will pass most likely.

6. What is the question? Whether to redouble?

Nice problem set.

[inquiry]

1. Absolutely worth a move

2. Absolutely worth a move

3. Rebid 3♣

4. Not sure I understand the conditions... will partner bid 2♥ on some hands with three hearts and 5+ hcp with a diamond stopper? What is his top limit for 2♥ and 3NT rebids? How strong a slam try is 4♥ (I want to make one, but 4♥ sounds to wimpy to me). I guess without knowing more 4NT is enough for me.

5. 4♥. Fate gave me seven hearts for a reason. I like my ♦QJ.. I am less sure of this bid than the others here. Sometimes fate plays nasty tricks. I probably would have responded 3♥ instead of 1♥ initially with this hand and got it off my chest at once and been able to leave final decision here (pass, dbl, 4♥) to partner.

6. Well this looks like an easy redouble... but if I do, they might run to 5♣, where surely they have a monster fit. They likely going there anyway. I think my decision will be on the next round, not this one. I will pass for now

[hrothgar]

Question 6:

This depends a LOT on the quality of the opposition and our own agreements.
First and foremost, would partner make a 2 suited overcall on a 4=4=3=2 hand?

Partner is showing the majors and have longer Spades (stronger with both minors).
The NT opener is suggesting 2 Spades, I have 4, and RHO is doubling for penalties (suggesting that he has some Spade length)

I need to understand whats more likely:

1. Partner has a 4-4 hand
2. RHO is doubling based on HCP strength rather than trumps (VERY dangerous on a distributional hand)

I lean towards XX. I have enough defense to take down 5!C. However, I'd like a bit more data before committing to anything

[FrancesHinden]

hrothgar, on Mar 13 2006, 05:44 PM, said:

Question 4: I'm a bit confused: If 4♥ is a slam try in Hearts, how do you show a minimum hand? (I suspect that the slam try inference was initiated by the 3♦ cue, but I wanted to make sure)

Yes, cueing then bidding 4H shows a (mild) slam try

[FrancesHinden]

hrothgar, on Mar 13 2006, 06:01 PM, said:

1. Partner has a 4-4 hand
2. RHO is doubling based on HCP strength rather than trumps (VERY dangerous on a distributional hand)

1. Never. Seriously, never. (love all, matchpoints.... possibly. Red, passed partner, imps, not a chance).

2. Quite likely. RHO might well have hearts, partner has only promised 4.

[FrancesHinden]

inquiry, on Mar 13 2006, 05:52 PM, said:

I probably would have responded 3♥ instead of 1♥ initially with this hand and got it off my chest at once and been able to leave final decision here (pass, dbl, 4♥) to partner.

Sorry, that would have shown a heart void and lots of diamonds. But I didn't want these hands to be much about system...

[luke warm]

1.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

i'd bid 4♠

2.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

yes, 4♠ now might even be right.. but i think i'd bid 3♣ or 3♠

3.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

i like 2♠ also

4.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

since you say 4♥ is a slam try, i'd bid that

5.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

i'd double

6.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P P x P
4♥ P ?

---

i'll pass and hope we get to play it

[luis]

1. I pass 4♥ I doubt this is worth a move and I think I found a healthy contract so I let it be.

2. Worth a move? Hell yes, I would bid 4♠ directly!

3. 2♥ has to be constructive so I will bid 3♦ now asking for a stopper to play 3NT from the right side.

4. Time to bid 4♣ It can't hurt. (A stronger move)


5. 3♥ nothing spectacular but worth the try.


Luis

[joshs]

FrancesHinden, on Mar 13 2006, 11:15 AM, said:

Yesterday I played a 48 board Gold Cup match (the main UK KO, if you care). I don't believe our team had any systemic issues, but we had a few judgement hands in the auction and play.  Here are the bidding ones, Play ones follow separately:

1.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P  P  x  P
4♥ P ?

---

1D = in a 5CM, 10-13 1NT opening, 1D = 4+ cards open 1D on 4-4 in the minors style
2C = F1 (can pass a 2D, 2NT or 3C rebid)
x = take-out

Worth a move, or not?

2.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P  P  x  P
4♥ P ?

---

1D = as above, but 1NT opening would have been 15-17

Worth a move, or not?

3.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P  P  x  P
4♥ P ?

---

You play sound 2-level overcalls at red
Worth a try for game, a force to game or a minimum bid (pass/3C)?

4.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P  P  x  P
4♥ P ?

---

Over the cue-bid, partner bids 3H (artificial) with nothing (0- 4 HCP or so), so 3NT shows about a good 4+ and a diamond stop.

Worth a try for slam in NT (4NT), in hearts (4H), a pass, or a stronger move?

5.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P  P  x  P
4♥ P ?

---

1D = Blue club style (usually natural, limited to a poor 16 HCP)

6.

Scoring: IMP

1♦ 1♠ 2♣ 3♠
P  P  x  P
4♥ P ?

---

1NT = 12-14
2C = hearts and another, anchor to shorter major
2NT = natural invitational (it's IMPs)
3S = both majors, longer or better spades if equal length
x = penalties; RHO also thought over 2C

Overcalling style is sound red at IMPs opposite a passed partner

Hand 1:
I am not sure about all the partnership implications here. I am assuming that partner's pass of 3S was not foricng, so partner has either:
14-15 balanced (would partner pass with that?)
or 3451'ish (on a bad day 2452 12-13, but might have opened 1N with that) min.

The 3451 hand gets me really excited. The balanced hand would have to be perfect.

The final problem is, if I made a slam try, what would it be? Supposing I cue bid, which does not unambigously establish a heart fit, to learn more about partner's shape. If partner bids 5C I am only worth 5H (actually, can I go back to 4H then?). If Partner bids 5D, I am probably good enough to bid 6H since I think partner would have passed 3S-x on a 3451 hand if there was spade wastage.

Hand 2:
Pass. yes I like my cards, but I am not pushing for this one. I expect a 12-14 count with 4 spades or maybe a 14 count with 3 spades. I might be able to make game opposite a 14 count and 4 spades, but I will just go plus here...

Hand 3: This hand is easy if you play roman JS's or raptor (hi fred!) since overcalling 2C denied a 4 card major. here you need to bid 2S, and hope to survive...

Hand 4: I would pass with 4H as my second choice. Partner's cards don't mesh with my cards all that well, and I can only count 8 sure fast tricks in 3N opposite xx Kxxx Qxxx xxx, but I think I will find a way to take 3 heart tricks.

Hand 5: It seems like someone is making game here, and since they don't think they are, I will assume I am. 4H and prey I am guessing right.... This is total brinksmanship

Hand 6: Partner has shown 4+H and 5+S? Is that what you meant by anchor to shorter major? I am happy here, no need to xx, I don't want them running.

[Kalvan14]

Question 1: certainly worth a slam try. I'd bid 4♠. Btw, I like 2♣ much better than double over these hands.

Question 2: certainly worth a game try. 3♣, if you play L-S try, otherwise 3♥

Question 3: much more doubtful. Pard has only 5 hearts, otherwise he'd have opened at 2-level. You need to find KQJxx in hearts and an outside A. Red and at IMPs I'd bid 3♥ (I'll not play 3N).

Question 4: 4♥, mild slam try. I am not very sanguine about this hand.

Question 5: Pass.

Question 6: Pass, again. I am confident, but redoubling...

Nice hands.

[mikeh]

1. Pass. I would rather their aggression talked us out of a thin but making slam than into a poor and failing slam. It is very, very close, and if his ♣ are Kx, I will probably regret it but if they are Qx or worse, I will be happy more often than not.

2. Yes, worth a move. If 2♠ promises 4, I'd probably just bid game. I suspect it only guarantees 3, so a game try for me


3. 3♣: I am close to 2♠ but even in ♣ run (as I expect them to do), my lack of outside Aces argues that they will too often win the race to 5 tricks before I get to 9. I'd prefer AJx♠: a 'weaker' hand, but a better one than what I am holding.


4. 4♦, passing 4♥. Interesting question: would 3♦ followed by 4♣ be a cue or a monster hand with long, strong ♣ unwilling to settle for the 9 trick game? I think the latter, so my 4♦ cue confirms both ♥ and 1st round ♦ control and strong slam interest, while NOT denying ♣ control. So it is the next step up over a 3♦/4♥ mild try. I will respect 4♥ and pass.

5. 4♥. Hope that my QJx in partner's suit helps sufficiently: this one seems clearer than 1 and 4


6. Pass. If the point was to redouble, you got me. I have made a penalty redouble only twice in the last 10 years. Both contracts made when they should have failed. My heart muscle is older now, and less able to withstand the stress.

I'd redouble if we were stuck, on the theory that the upside gain is good and the downside largely irrelevant. Otherwise, I take the modest extra imps when we make and minimize the loss when we fail.

[Impact]

Nice selection Frances:-

1. If you play this way, opener's double would have been penalties, so he does not have a S stack (confirmed by his conversion to 4♥. Not clear how to proceed but odds are in my favour to move (but ♣T would improve matters).
Can I bid 4S as a cue or is it Kickback/void...as teh key opposite a 3-4-5-1 is no wastage in S (or similarly opposite a 3-4-4-2 with extras). My ♦T suggests working hook and the only negative is that suits may not be breaking (albeit these days opponents holding 9♠ get there almost regardless!!

2. This is MUCH better than 8HCP but how much better depends on the frequency with which partner raises with 3 cards (presumably some ruffing value so not all bad) and ♥wastage.
♣ pips fantastic - so I make a move - the most descriptive of which is a short suit try......

3. I'm willing to move, I'm wanting to move but where to move???

If partner has already denied 6 fair ♥ by failure to open weak two (?), that is unlikely; I want him to play NT assuming a stopper....given the absence of weak two or NT bid I am assuming a partial ♣ fit ....with my C running and 5 loser hand I must do something...so 3♦ risking bailing out in 4♣ seems forced...


4. With respect hate the methods: when partner bids 2♥ I want to announce a prime fit and slam try below game (jumping in new suit in my methods...)

Anyway, with the informatin given since I have not shown the nature of my hand yet, I feel compelled to make a try with 4♥ - emerging from the bushes, though how partner knows just what is needed is beyond me....still any extra length or working Honours should be given weight...

5. It feels wrong not to bid 4♥, which could win in all sorts of ways, but is a big loser if he holds 12/13 with ♠ Honours

6. Pass, Take the money - as they will findit cheaper in 5♣

regards,
fred

[Gerben42]

1. 4NT - with xxx Kxxx AQxxx x enough for slam I cannot afford to pass and 5 should normally be safe. In theory I want to know what partner's minors look like and hope partner would open 1NT on Qx Kxxx Axxxx Kx. I bid 6 if partner admits to 2 key cards.

2. I prefer a short suit game try if available. If not I just try 4♠.

3. 2♠ for me. Preferring this over a direct 3♦ as game may have no play even if partner has a stopper in ♦ and I'm basically saying the same thing as 3♦ but a bit weaker.

4. 4♥. Agree with cuebidding first.

5. 4♥. It is nice to have some goods in partner's suit (I know, could be short but usually is not)

6. I pass. Sure, redouble may pay off well but normally +790 is "enough". Besides, are we so sure it's making?