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Michael Whibley and Liam were playing in a random pairs event when twice in a row, they made some pre-empt or other, one opponent made a takeout double which the other penalty-passed, and they made +1 and +2 respectively. The opponent who takeout-doubled got really abusive at their partner and Michael and Liam knew that the opponent would never dare to pass a takeout double again. They both started pre-empting randomly and started getting top board after top board as opponents got into ridiculous contracts doubled. At the end of that match they agreed to make 3C a 6-way (yes, 6-way) multi for the fun of it and the stories they brought back about its use made all of us laugh.
- 1. 5-9 4333 hand
- 2. a strong balanced hand (i.e. strong NT, 1NT is 10-14)
- 3. pre-empt in diamonds
- 4. pre-empt in clubs
- 5. 8 playing tricks in diamonds
- 6. 9 playing tricks in clubs
Generally, the partner of the 3C bidder would respond in their longest suit and play there (1st option was the one that came up most often), usually for two down undoubled when the opponents were cold for some game or slam or other.
These results usually cancelled out the bad ones when they were in 3N making 1 when all the field is in 1N. There were at least two times though when most of the field stopped in 2N making 3 but Michael and Liam were one of the few pairs being in 3. Other bad results were being too many down in 4 or 5 C or D when a 2D or 3C bid would have been passed out.
Liam played it with a few different people in the less serious events but in the NZ teams when its illegality might have caught the notice of the director (and out of courtesy to his teammates) he stopped playing it. We all enjoyed hearing about his adventures with it though.
Posted 2007-September-30, 12:02
