[whereagles]

haha.. gonzalo, your father is very optimist

[inquiry]

Even seeing the hands, given the bidding up to 3NT, I agree wtih Mauro and justin's logic and bids on each. Maybe we could discuss north's bidding at sometime.

Ben

[jtfanclub]

Chamaco, on Oct 26 2004, 05:01 AM, said:

 

Quote

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

Ah, but here's the trick. First of all, not all 3NT bids are shock, of course. Partner could easily have his bid, and you just gave us a top by doubling us. Partner can also redouble (balancing seat is Xing, or I wouldn't have a choice) to say that his hand is powerful enough that you've just given us a top board, whether you pull or not.

But the more common case is, I bid 3♣ for one of three reasons:

1. I'm pre-empting on very little, hoping to confuse the opponents. Doesn't apply here- they've exchanged too much information to be confused.

2. I have four or more clubs, shortness in one of their suits, and just enough points for the LOTT to say I should bid. I think we have no chance of game, which says a lot over a two level overcall.

3. I have a hand strong enough that I'd consider an action double X at the two level if I had it available, but I don't, so I'll push the bidding to the three level and then do something. This hand may have Hx or xxx in partner's suit, and always has length and strength in their suits.

When partner bids a shock 3NT (and again, he's not telling me if it's for real or shock) he thinks we'll make 3NT if I have hand 3, and they'll make game if they have hand one or two.

A common hand for a shock 3NT bid, with the opponents bidding the red suits, would be:

Axx
x
xx
KJTxxxx

This is a gamble, but it's hardly a psyche. If you X it on principle, don't be surprised if partner takes the first nine tricks on principle. There is no deception going on here: partner honestly believes we have a shot at 3NT. It's not hard to construct a 9 hcp hand for me where 3NT is cold. More commonly, 3NT is down 1 or 2 if you lead one red suit (which may or may not be a good board for us), and makes going away if you lead the other.

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2) if after you run, they bid 4 spades, your pass of 3NT (which should show some values)

It doesn't. The only time I pull 3NT immediately is when I think we can make 4♣ but not 3NT. Partner knows this.

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The natural bid here is 4C right away.

Agreed. That doesn't mean it's the right bid. Make the opponents guess. They have three choices, and two of them give us a top board. Even if they guess right, we're likely getting an average board.

EDIT:

Quote

I have just seen one of the young Hacketts (playing for England against Poland) open 1♥ as dealer game all with

♠A542 ♥KJ43 ♦JT874

Eric 


(Inquiry:) I would not be surprised if well more than half the field opens this hand... would be interesting test to see how "pro's" play. This is a Zar 26 count....but only 9 hcp.

If you're playing against pros who open with hands like this, you're going to regret pullingn 3NT more often than not.

[EarlPurple]

on the first hand, 3NT can be beaten in 3 ways:

- lead a diamond. Partner takes the ace and plays another one. Easy 2 off.
- On a spade lead perhaps a heart shift? 1 off.
- West doubles 3NT which asks for a lead of dummy's suit. Heart duly led, now no way back to East's diamonds if you lead ace and another, but at least you beat the contract, and doubled to boot.

[Fluffy]

whereagles, on Oct 28 2004, 03:23 PM, said:

haha.. gonzalo, your father is very optimist

Yeah well, I had some extra info here wich I hidden to you , sorry for that, any way optimistic or not he practically won the tourney by himself (I played kinda poorly).