[pclayton]

Wanted to share with you a very funny hand from the Open Pairs:

Scoring: MP

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I opened 1♠, 4♥ on left, 4♠ by Brian and 4N (?!) by Renee Mancuso on my right.

Expecting some sort of minor suit takeout, I hit 4N. 5♣ on left, double by Brian, 5♥ by Renee.

Pass, pass, 5♠, all pass.

I get the opening lead of the 10♦ and immediately try the Q♠ which freezes LHO and he ducks. small spade gets the ace. LHO gets out a heart. I ruff in dummy and pitch a diamond.

Because of the funny 4N call, I know how to play clubs. K♣, club to Jack and claim.

+680 wasn't a top believe it or not. John Jones scored +1660 on the identical line.

[adhoc3]

West should know exactly what his pard's hand looked like, as he tried to confuse others. But didn't he bid 6H with 13 cards fit?

[awm]

This may well be the hand that caused you and John Jones to score above Eli and me in the Wernher pairs.

At our table:

1♠ - 2♥ - 4♠ - 5♥
5♠ - 6♥ - P - P
X - All Pass

I held the north cards. I suppose if I were a good player I'd push to 6♠ (probably doubled) and make it on the power of a misdefense and a good club guess. In fact the opponents at my table indicated that they would've lead a heart (ruff-sluff at trick one) so all partner would need to do is guess the clubs (and find ♦K onside and spades breaking).

Unfortunately we settled for a measly 300 and a low board. Someday I'll learn, I guess.

[neilkaz]

Pardon me, but I come from the old fashioned school and don't think Renee is going to hold to many hands after your 4H call (almost certainly showing 7 from her vantage point) that want to take out into a minor at the 5 level.

Renee's 4NT is an old fashioned semi-psych designed to muddy the waters. She know's that her side has 13 H's and wants your side to make an error at a high level as to whether to bid slam or double Hearts. She is pretending to be interested in slam, which could make if PD has a spade void and the ace of D, but certainly isn't likely. She'll be unhappy if PD (assuming DOPI) doubles 5S, but she was willing to take that chance and would just carry on to 6H.

Just my opinion here, and thx for posting this fun hand. .. neilkaz ..