Matchpoints
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Swiss GP Pairs - 1 How many spades?
#1
Posted 2012-October-03, 08:02
Matchpoints
'In an infinite universe, the one thing sentient life cannot afford to have is a sense of proportion.' - Douglas Adams
#2
Posted 2012-October-03, 09:06
Almost no defense and suggesting a sacrifice at this vulnerability
is to much like walking a tight rope. 2s lets p know about
the overall weakness of your hand yet at these colors also
shows good enough spades to play opposite a singleton.
p need not fear spade losers and can invite with less than
normal due to knowing the spade suit is better than normal.
Preemption at a low level eliminating trump suit worries for p
and showing little to no defense all wrapped up in a nice cozy
2s bid.
is to much like walking a tight rope. 2s lets p know about
the overall weakness of your hand yet at these colors also
shows good enough spades to play opposite a singleton.
p need not fear spade losers and can invite with less than
normal due to knowing the spade suit is better than normal.
Preemption at a low level eliminating trump suit worries for p
and showing little to no defense all wrapped up in a nice cozy
2s bid.
#3
Posted 2012-October-03, 09:15
Obvious 3♠ for me. Very sound 7 card suit, nothing outside.
At this vulnerability, I would consider 2♠ if the shape was 7222 or if the suit was weaker. But with this hand, I have no doubts.
At this vulnerability, I would consider 2♠ if the shape was 7222 or if the suit was weaker. But with this hand, I have no doubts.
Life is long and beautiful, if bad things happen, good things will follow.
-gwnn
-gwnn
#4
Posted 2012-October-03, 09:23
This has to be the most normal 2nd seat red 3♠ bid ever. There is nothing remotely interesting about this problem.
#forumfail
#forumfail
Chris Gibson
#5
Posted 2012-October-03, 13:16
CSGibson, on 2012-October-03, 09:23, said:
This has to be the most normal 2nd seat red 3♠ bid ever. There is nothing remotely interesting about this problem.
#forumfail
#forumfail
Fair enough. I did actually bid 3♠ at the table but felt I might be a bit heavy and we went on to miss a game. If p has a singleton/void spade, how many points should he need to raise? Are there any hands where he might want to play 3NT instead - I can't think of (m)any.
'In an infinite universe, the one thing sentient life cannot afford to have is a sense of proportion.' - Douglas Adams
#6
Posted 2012-October-03, 13:50
It is not a question of points - it is a question of tricks.
For a vul opposite nonvul 3♠ bid in second seat, one should assume that the bidder has close to 7 tricks. So, responder should bid game if he can produce 3 tricks opposite a typical 7-3-2-1 shaped hand. This is not an exact science, as you don't know for sure if a side suit KQ holding will produce a useful trick for partner. But you can be pretty sure that aces will produce tricks and the A, K or Q of trumps will produce a trick.
A spade void would be a negative factor. Partner might be assuming that his AKQxxxx of spades is worth 7 tricks. But opposite a spade void, it rates to produce only 6 tricks.
A singleton spade is not a plus, but it is not a big minus, either. Partner expects that you would have no more than 2 spades on average, and a singleton spade is not that far off.
As for your second question - whether it makes sense to bid 3NT on some hands. The answer is clearly yes.
The most obvious hand for a 3NT bid would be something like this:
Kxx
Axxx
Kxx
Axx
You can be reasonably sure that your side has 7 spade tricks (assuming partner has at least Axxxxxx for his 3 bid at this seat and vul) and you have 2 sure side tricks. Furthermore, you need to protect your ♦K from being led through on opening lead. 4♠ might still make, but you can only count 9 tricks - partner's seven spades and your two aces. If the ♦A is behind the K, there might not be a 10th trick in a spade contract.
For a vul opposite nonvul 3♠ bid in second seat, one should assume that the bidder has close to 7 tricks. So, responder should bid game if he can produce 3 tricks opposite a typical 7-3-2-1 shaped hand. This is not an exact science, as you don't know for sure if a side suit KQ holding will produce a useful trick for partner. But you can be pretty sure that aces will produce tricks and the A, K or Q of trumps will produce a trick.
A spade void would be a negative factor. Partner might be assuming that his AKQxxxx of spades is worth 7 tricks. But opposite a spade void, it rates to produce only 6 tricks.
A singleton spade is not a plus, but it is not a big minus, either. Partner expects that you would have no more than 2 spades on average, and a singleton spade is not that far off.
As for your second question - whether it makes sense to bid 3NT on some hands. The answer is clearly yes.
The most obvious hand for a 3NT bid would be something like this:
Kxx
Axxx
Kxx
Axx
You can be reasonably sure that your side has 7 spade tricks (assuming partner has at least Axxxxxx for his 3 bid at this seat and vul) and you have 2 sure side tricks. Furthermore, you need to protect your ♦K from being led through on opening lead. 4♠ might still make, but you can only count 9 tricks - partner's seven spades and your two aces. If the ♦A is behind the K, there might not be a 10th trick in a spade contract.
#8
Posted 2012-October-03, 16:14
Normal 3♠ opening. Expect the field to make the same call, so nothing to sweat if you go -200 or partner has some magic cards in clubs and you make 170.
Hi y'all!
Winner - BBO Challenge bracket #6 - February, 2017.
Winner - BBO Challenge bracket #6 - February, 2017.
#9
Posted 2012-October-04, 16:50
broze, on 2012-October-03, 13:16, said:
Fair enough. I did actually bid 3♠ at the table but felt I might be a bit heavy and we went on to miss a game. If p has a singleton/void spade, how many points should he need to raise? Are there any hands where he might want to play 3NT instead - I can't think of (m)any.
Did both of your side-suit jacks end up working?
Opening 3♠ is clear. Second seat red on white, you really need to have the goods.
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