[jdonn]

It may be worth noting Nickell was down by 38 entering the final quarter of their round of 8 match. It is most likely that Hamman was trying to create swings to some extent, which is pretty strong evidence to me that he expects 3♦ NOT to be bid at the other table if the auction is similar.

As much as I think 3♦ is a bad bid, it's a very reasonable swinging action since it is entirely possible it could reach a game that the other table misses, if partner is on the very top end of his pass.

[joshs]

I do feel strongly that pass is correct. Yes partner might have a 12-13 count and settle for 3N, then again partner might try for slam and you go down anyway. Most of the time partner has an 8-10 count and has a vicous guess if you overcall 3D on this hand and one that is two playing tricks stronger. I think balancing on these hands (except over a 1 level bid where you have a lot of room to sort out ranges) is aiming for a very small target, and hinders your ability to hit the larger targets (game and slam). And many of its "gains" are not turning -110 into +110, its more like -110 into -50. And since your not even short in hearts it may be turning +50 into -50. I don't even think this is close to a 3D bid.....

[han]

I am very surprised that Bob Hamman bid 3D on this hand. Perhaps someone (who hopefully has not left the forum) can ask him to explain here what his reasons were for bidding 3D and what he thinks about it in retrospect.

[jdeegan]

Must be a close decision based on the commentary, but Bob did bid 3♦, so it can't be too outre. Indeed, you are not vul and pard figures to have 3 or 4 diamonds based on your heart holding and no 2♠ overcall. Are you going to make a speculative partscore double at IMPs with Bob Hamman at the wheel?

[han]

I congratulate you on your fine partners, mine do not rate to have 3-4 diamonds here.

[hatchett]

Quote

Indeed, you are not vul and pard figures to have 3 or 4 diamonds based on your heart holding and no 2♠ overcall.

I don't think this logic follows at all, for a start partner may not be strong enough to bid!

Quote

Are you going to make a speculative partscore double at IMPs with Bob Hamman at the wheel?

I'm not worried about being doubled in 3♦, it's converting +100 to -50 or being doubled in 3NT that worries me more.

[jdeegan]

The inference that pard has diamond support is far from ironclad, but consider that you have located nine hearts. The expected number of hearts for both RHO and pard is two. Since there are so many different combinations for this, the odds of his having exactly two hearts is considerable.

If pard has exactly two hearts, then there are eleven empty slots that have to be filled by the other three suits. Some of these, while not ruled out, are considerably diminished in likelihood by his first round pass e.g. five, six or seven spades or six or seven clubs. Sure, he may have 4-2-2-5 shape, but even that won't be so bad if he has the diamond queen or ace.

Finally, we have the mute testimony of Bob Hamman. He actually bid three diamonds at the table in a serious event. Why can't you stop arguing and learn from the master? Hamman's example should be enough all by itself. He has assured me on numerous occasions that he is the world's best bridge player. What better testimony could you ask?

[han]

The fact that neither partner nor RHO acted makes the expected number of hearts that partner has more than two. After all, the less hearts partner has the more likely she can act, and the more hearts RHO has the more likely he can act.

[CORRECTED, thanks Josh]

[jdeegan]

Hannie, on May 5 2006, 11:52 AM, said:

The fact that neither partner nor RHO acted makes the expected number of hearts that partner has more than two. After all, the less hearts partner has the more likely she can act, and the more hearts RHO has the more likely he can act.

O.K., you have an excellent point. It is RHO's pass that makes one uneasy. It might well be a trap with a goodish hand and short hearts. RHO would surely raise with four hearts and might raise with three. Three diamonds looks to be marginal at matchpoints. At IMPs in a serious game, it is something of an insult, or perhaps RHO's body language and manner are revealing something to the three diamond bidder.

[kfgauss]

Where do you find the hand records from the Hollman-Nickell match?

Also, what happened on this hand (if Hamman had passed, it would've been a >=6 imp swing to Nickell?)?

Thanks,
Andy

[mike777]

kfgauss, on May 5 2006, 05:56 PM, said:

Where do you find the hand records from the Hollman-Nickell match?

Also, what happened on this hand (if Hamman had passed, it would've been a >=6 imp swing to Nickell?)?

Thanks,
Andy

down 3 in 3D and lost the match, if he passed they win by 2 imps.