[Al_U_Card]

Scoring: IMP

p-???

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We got to the spade slam, off 2 with S QJTx with East. Only a few got to NT ( getting to the board is a bit of a wrench and the D K is in the slot too) with one bidding without interference 2NT!-3C-3D-4NT-5S-6NT. (Is that a transfer pre-empt a la Misiry?)

Bidding suggestions for these hands please....(as well a a suggested line or two)

[inquiry]

Al_U_Card, on Nov 22 2005, 02:43 PM, said:

[one bidding without interference 2NT!-3C-3D-4NT-5S-6NT. (Is that a transfer pre-empt a la Misiry?)

I have no idea what that bidding was, it certainly wasn't misIry. It looks amazingly enough like south trearted his hand as a big one suiter, north used stayman, and not findnig a 4-4 major fit, used blackwood, found his partner with three aces and bid the slam.

The only thing is the Alert on two notrump. Did you look to see what it was? If it was some kind of big two suiter, there should have been another alert along the way.

The MisIry auction, for the curious, would be...

3♦! - 3♥!
5♦! - 5♠
Pass

Not great given the four one trump split. 3D = weak wtih hearts or strong two suiter with Diamonds and a black suit. If you just can't stand it, you could try both 6NT over 5♦. or 5NT which ask partner to bid his longer suit, or the suit with the jack at the six level. Here partner would bid 6♦ which you might pass or correct to 6NT to play. But honestly, I would be in 5♠

5D was strong two suiter, spades and diamonds, Two losers, none of which are in clubss. North's hand is now worth dirt. 5♠ seems appropriate.

[Al_U_Card]

inquiry, on Nov 22 2005, 03:05 PM, said:

It looks amazingly enough like south trearted his hand as a big one suiter, north used stayman, and not findnig a 4-4 major fit, used blackwood, found his partner with three aces and bid the slam.

The only thing is the Alert on two notrump. Did you look to see what it was? If it was some kind of big two suiter, there should have been another alert along the way.

The MisIry auction, for the curious, would be...

3♦! - 3♥!
5♦! - 5♠
Pass

Not great given the four one trump split. 3D = weak wtih hearts or strong two suiter with Diamonds and a black suit. If you just can't stand it, you could try both 6NT over 5♦. or 5NT which ask partner to bid his longer suit, or the suit with the jack at the six level. Here partner would bid 6♦ which you might pass or correct to 6NT to play. But honestly, I would be in 5♠

5D was strong two suiter, spades and diamonds, Two losers, none of which are in clubss. North's hand is now worth dirt. 5♠ seems appropriate.

Unless the genius said "I have 20-21 hcp so that's a 2NT opener, isn't it?"

The only ones to make played 6NT by responder who bid NT first during the auction (usually getting a C lead!). Only one strong hand made when, at trick 2, he led the DT out of hand after a H lead and RHO took it with Kxx!

[Al_U_Card]

inquiry, on Nov 22 2005, 03:05 PM, said:

5D was strong two suiter, spades and diamonds, Two losers, none of which are in clubss. North's hand is now worth dirt. 5♠ seems appropriate.

Where do I get the pamphlet? (pretty please)

[mikeh]

1♦   1♥
2♠   2N
3♠   4♣
4♦   5♦
6♦   P


Not at all sure of this, other than the 1st 3 calls: 1♦ looks normal (I refuse to open 2♣ on this hand: thank god you gave me AQ♦, not AK)

I think 2N as a stall, and also because of the ♣ values. Mostly as a stall, denying primary support for either pointed suit.

3♠ is obvious

4♣ is really debatable. 3N is out because of the lack of a ♥ stopper. 4♠ is possible, because of the known 5-3 fit. However, and I do not think this is using knowledge of the hand, the Jx♦ and the AKQ of ♣ make ♦ a potentially better trump suit.

4♣ does not commit us to either suit for now: it is an advance cue-bid: I have to show my values sometime.

4♦ is a stall, waiting to see what 4♣ was all about.

5♦: at mps, I'd bid 4♠, but at imps, I think 5♦ is slightly better

6♦: I cannot resist with this hand.

Now as to the play: on a club lead, I claim

otherwise I have to choose between the ♦Q, playing for a defensive error or Kx♦ and 3-2♠, or low to the ♦J, playing for the K on my left. Against really weak players, I go with the first, otherwise the second.


This principle of preferring Jx worked in a recent tournament, in a different context, with

   K AQxxxx Qxxx Jx

I opened 1♥, partner made a natural gf 2♣ bid and I rebid 2♥.

Over his 2♠, I bid 3♦, and he raised to 4♦.

I now bid 5♣ and over his 5♠ bid 6♣, which was raised to 7.

His hand: AJx void AKxx AKQ10xx opposite my K AQxxxx Qxxx Jx

♦ split 4-1 so 7♦, bid at the other table, failed while 7♣ was cold.

However, the hand was played as part of a large round-robin qualifer, and somehow our hands were switched in the other board, such that my partner's hand was dealer. Our 19 imp pickup was thrown away

[Robert]

Hello everyone

1C*-1NT*-2D-2S*-3S-4S-5D-5S-pass
1C=16+
1NT=5+ clubs GF
2D=Ds
2S*=shows the opposite major=4 hearts(bidding 2N doesn't appeal)
I play 1C*-3C* to relay for all three 0445, 4045 and 4405 club hands.
3S*=5S and 6Ds( without a spade stop bid 3Ds over 2S*)
4S=game
5D=1st round control
5S=Partner did not RKC so he is likely void in clubs. Whatever he needs I do not have, if he has a one loser hand he can bid slam himself.

I managed to get the contract played by the weak hand in spite of using 'transfers' to show both of responders suits.

Maybe I will get that lucky club lead?

Regards,
Robert

[hrothgar]

There are two different issues that you need to consider with this hand:

Issue 1 is whether your bidding methods are accurate/lucky enough to find the Jack of Diamonds. Case in point: Playing MOSCITO the South hand will be asking. As pathetic as Jacks normally are, this this card is critical in determining the best contract.

Issue 2 is where you want to play the hand if you can't place the Jack of Diamonds.

I suspect that most players will prefer to play the contract in Spades rather than Diamonds.

The decision how to play the hand (obviously) depends on the contract and the opening lead. The critical decision would appear to be trying to force the opponents to provide you with either transportation to the board or a free Diamond hook. Lets assume something nasty like Heart lead or a Spade lead against a 6♠ contract.

I don't see many options other than cashing two top spades and the AK of Hearts, then leading the last Spade.

[leboulepat]

Al_U_Card, on Nov 22 2005, 03:19 PM, said:

inquiry, on Nov 22 2005, 03:05 PM, said:

5D was strong two suiter, spades and diamonds, Two losers, none of which are in clubss. North's hand is now worth dirt. 5♠ seems appropriate.

Where do I get the pamphlet? (pretty please)

1♦ 1♥
2♠ 3NT
4♠ 4NT
5♦(3keys) 5♥(askQ♦)
5♠(K♠+Q♦) 6♦

[joker_gib]

leboulepat, on Nov 23 2005, 09:38 AM, said:

Al_U_Card, on Nov 22 2005, 03:19 PM, said:

inquiry, on Nov 22 2005, 03:05 PM, said:

5D was strong two suiter, spades and diamonds, Two losers, none of which are in clubss. North's hand is now worth dirt. 5♠ seems appropriate.

Where do I get the pamphlet? (pretty please)

1♦ 1♥
2♠ 3NT
4♠ 4NT
5♦(3keys) 5♥(askQ♦)
5♠(K♠+Q♦) 6♦

Pat,

Where did you fit ♦ ??

Alain

[Al_U_Card]

hrothgar, on Nov 22 2005, 09:00 PM, said:

I don't see many options other than cashing two top spades and the AK of Hearts, then leading the last Spade.

Exactly the line chosen by my pard. He apologized for the result and I told him that I agreed with his assessment and apologized for my raise to slam opposite his 2C bid.

[Fluffy]

All the auctions I can think of end in 6♠.

6NT isn't much better, in fact it can be defeated with proper defence.

[Impact]

Pass (16+) 1♠ (10-19 flat, 2+ Blue Club controls )
1NT (relay) 2♣ (4M333 or 44odd)
2♦ (relay) 3♦ (3-4-2-4, 10-12 )
3♥ (relay) 3NT (3 controls)
4♣ (relay) 4♦ (no ♥ A/K or AKQ)
4♥ (relay) 4♠ (no ♣ A/K or AKQ)
4NT (relay) 5♣ (no ♠ A/K or AKQ)
5♦ (relay) 5♥ (no ♦ A/K/Q)
5♠ (relay) 6♦ (no ♠Q/♥J or ♣J)

Pass very likely to hold the ♦J to make up his HCP.....