[Fluffy]

Both are Match points problems, both happened during last weekend on a real tourney. You may not agree with some of your previous bids, but you will have to live with it .

The first one:

Scoring: MP

N - E - S - W
1♣-ps-1♥-1♠
2♣-2♠-3♣-3♠
3ST-ps-???

---

The second one:

Scoring: MP

N - E - S - W
1♣-ps-1♥-1♠
2♣-2♠-3♣-3♠
3ST-ps-???

---

ps*: after about 13 seconds.

[Free]

1 ) 4♣
2 ) pass

[Chamaco]

auction 1

4C. This is not a slam try, but a rescue.

auction 2

4C would be stronger hand. It was much better to jumpshift preemptively to 2 spades or 3 spades after opps double.
As it is, I pass and rescue 4C if they double us.

[flytoox]

pass the first one, -2 will not be too bad. opp's 3S should be cold.

with the second hand, I will pull to 4C. Let's make sure we get a plus.

[nikos59]

Well, if I have a partner opposite (and not some
bidding machine) I would never dream removing 3NT,
at least not before getting doubled (and even then).

n

[Chamaco]

nikos59, on Oct 25 2004, 02:59 PM, said:

Well, if I have a partner opposite (and not some
bidding machine) I would never dream removing 3NT,
at least not before getting doubled (and even then).

n

In the first auction, we KNOW with virtual certainty we do not have values for 3NT: pard has made a passable bid (2 clubs) before bidding 3NT.
In my opinion this makes it a clear rescue to 4C.

In the second auction, pard has made a strong bid, so I agree that we should credit pard for a strength that may give 3NT some play.

[dogsbreath]

Agree completely with Chamaco..
In the 1st case p's 2c tells us we dont have 3nt values, in the second case p clearly thinks he has AND didnt try for 4S... so 1) 4C 2) pass
Rgds dog

[jtfanclub]

The first one looks like one of my P's "shock" 3NT bids. Designed to shock the hell out of the opponents.

You'd be amazed at how often it works.

I'm passing....I think we'll take at least one trick, and that's all we need for a good board.

If they X, I run to 4♣. I know they have 4♠, but I see no reason to let them know that. If I run to 4♣ immediately, I may as well shout it with a bullhorn.

[luke warm]

1) pass
2) pass

[Fluffy]

nikos59, on Oct 25 2004, 02:59 PM, said:

Well, if I have a partner opposite (and not some
bidding machine) I would never dream removing 3NT,
at least not before getting doubled (and even then).

n

Your partner is a WBF world master , you were going 4th on the third and last season of a 150 pairs tournament when these 2 hands arised, you may win from 1000 to 2500€ as the price .

[Chamaco]

jtfanclub, on Oct 25 2004, 11:16 PM, said:

The first one looks like one of my P's "shock" 3NT bids.  Designed to shock the hell out of the opponents.

You'd be amazed at how often it works.

I'm passing....I think we'll take at least one trick, and that's all we need for a good board.

If they X, I run to 4♣.  I know they have 4♠, but I see no reason to let them know that.  If I run to 4♣ immediately, I may as well shout it with a bullhorn.

If you play vs good players:

1) they'll double for sure and u'll have to run to 4 clubs anyways, disclosing in any case your hand

2) if after you run, they bid 4 spades, your pass of 3NT (which should show some values) may as well get partner to double their 4 spades

Bridge is a partnership game, sometimes gambles do work, but many times deception strategy will deceive partner rather than opponents.

Making the "honest" bid will sometimes miss the opportunity for some nice stealing, but at least the decisions will be shared together with partner rather than being one-sided.

The natural bid here is 4C right away.
Sometimes we want to make a smart bid at all costs, but I do not think it's the best path to effective bridge in the long run.

[whereagles]

First hand I pull it out. Second hand depends on who's pard and opps. If pard is an overbidder, I pull out, otherwise I leave it in. Just because pard is a grandmaster doesn't mean he doesn't have a personality

[Chamaco]

Jlall, on Oct 26 2004, 12:18 PM, said:

on the first hand its clear we dont have even half the deck...i escape. On the second hand a 4C bid would not be an escape, it would be a slam try. So you can try pass or 5C. I find it very close, because my shape is screaming for suit play. However, the 2 jacks and the soft spade values seem to call for playing 3N. Change my hand to soemthing prime and pure like AT9xxx xx x xxxx and i will bid 5C. As an asides, i think basing your auction about what the opponents will do (X you or not) is very unsound strategy. If they cant beat 4C, they wont X 3N. They will only X you if they can set both or if they are unsure whether 3N will make. You should just figure out what you think you can make and try to play there. Passing 3N on teh first but running if they X makes no sense, you already know you cant make 3N (which is why you run when they X) so why not bid it in the first place. 3N still wont make, even if they dont X

Ditto.
Agree on every point by Justin.
Don't let the opponents decide for you and your pard.
Describe faithfully your hand, your pard will love you even if you score bad

[nikos59]

To Fluffy:

I presume you know the results and I expect you to reveal
them after a while, when everyone will have had the opportunity
to comment.

[helium]

4clubs
4clubs

kenneth

[xx1943]

1) 4♣
2) pass

Nothing more to say. I agree with Justin and Chamaco.

Al

[HeartA]

If ♣QJ were replaced by CK, I will pass 3NT on first hand. Partner may have
♠Kx, ♥xx, ♦AKx, ♣Axxxxxx. Since I don't have an entry to finesse ♣ even if CK on side, I will pull 3NT to 4C.

I will bid 4C as well with the second hand. If 3N could be made, I don't see a problem with 5C or 4S. Maybe we have a slam.

[Fluffy]

I disagree with justin in 1 point, 4♣ on the second wouldn´t be an slam try.

Why?, because a opponent has bid X+3♥ vulnerable vs not.

[Fluffy]

Congratulations to flytoox, who was the only one to get wich I think were the best responses as the cards lied.

I pulled out as many suggested on first one, knowing it would be hard to make, but it would had proably made, the killing defence is very very hard, and I doubt it would be find. Here an apoximation of the scores for each result as I remember:

+400 = 95%
+130 = 60%
-50 = 35%

Scoring: MP

---

Nobody copied my bidding on the second one sadly :-(

I choosed to bid 5♣, hoping partner to have ♠x/♥Kxx/♦Axx/♣AKQxxx. Not tday!, it was doubled and 3 aces where catched, still a good score since the full deal was:

Scoring: MP

---

3NT leads to a quick -200 and a bottom score.

The problem about playing 4♣ is that it can be competed to 4♦/♥ wich makes and you will hardly bid 5♣ after it then.

And the scores...

+130 95%
-50 75%
-100 60%
-130 40%
-200 10%
-620 5%