[CSGibson]

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♠2 is led (3/low). Opponents play a big-club canape system, their 1N opening would have been 14+ to 17-, an opening 2♦ would have been any hand with 5+♠ and 4+♥, 10-16 HCP. RHO plays the ♠3 on the first trick, which ostensibly denies the A or K of clubs.

How do you play this?

[MrAce]

I wonder how light did LHO open, since his pd didnt preempt ! But looking at his ♠ quality i expect him to have at least close to a real opener.

I think you implied ♣K is offside due to their signalling agreements. I would play LHO for Kx ♣ and 1 ♥ loser. Something like

Jxxxx
K86
AJx/Axx
Kx

-♠A
-small ♥ (if LHO wins and plays a ♠ then)
-♠K
-Hearts 2 rounds
-♦ to K
-♣A to hand
-♦ to Q and duck a ♣

If first ♥ is won by RHO and play a ♣, then
-♣A
-♥ J if not covered, shift to ♦, if covered cash 3rd ♥ to hand and play a ♦
-When ♦ wins qwack a ♣ and later play another ♦ towards dummy by getting to hand with ♣Q

Another alternative is to play LHO for;

Jxxxx
KQx
Jxx
Kx


A question, did N systematically start DBL or was it his choice (instead of 1 NT ) ?

[CSGibson]

MrAce, on 2012-June-19, 22:23, said:

A question, did N systematically start DBL or was it his choice (instead of 1 NT ) ?

His choice. Doesn't seem unreasonable with his shape, though I don't think 1N is awful.

[MrAce]

CSGibson, on 2012-June-19, 22:42, said:

His choice. Doesn't seem unreasonable with his shape, though I don't think 1N is awful.

I asked because to me 1NT is auto letalone to be 'not awful' When you have NT strength you will almost always have limitation and stopper problems when you dont start with.

Pd doesnt have to respond your 4 card ♥ all the time. In another topic we saw very good players who plays 2♣ response to take out DBL upto 10 hcp. So you have to do one of the 3 very umcomfortable bids if you dont start with 1NT

a- Pass in peace

b- Bid 2NT and show more than 1NT overcaller.

c- Raise pd with 3 card and expect him to understand you have a perfectly balanced hand with 2 stoppers in their suit.

Is there any rule that i am not aware of which sayd 1♠-1NT can not have 4 card hearts ? I would understand if his stopper was doubtful but AK for christ's sake ?

[CSGibson]

MrAce, on 2012-June-19, 22:52, said:

I asked because to me 1NT is auto letalone to be 'not awful' When you have NT strength you will almost always have limitation and stopper problems when you dont start with.

Pd doesnt have to respond your 4 card ♥ all the time. In another topic we saw very good players who plays 2♣ response to take out DBL upto 10 hcp.

Yeah, but he's not playing with those players, he's playing with his long time partner, who would NOT bid 2C with a hand that has good play for game opposite a strong NT, so he can pass in peace. In the mean time, he is likely to get to safer part scores, since he does have take-out shape. Also, not being able to hold up in spades is a detriment, in my opinion.

Edit: This was a hand I was Kibitzing, but I know the players, all experts.

[MrAce]

Okay

[CSGibson]

BTW, since I did not play this hand, I feel like I can also comment - I think a small improvement to Timo's line is to cash the AK of spades before touching trump - it ensures that defenders have to help you in some way with their return, and entries are precious.

[MrAce]

CSGibson, on 2012-June-20, 13:10, said:

BTW, since I did not play this hand, I feel like I can also comment - I think a small improvement to Timo's line is to cash the AK of spades before touching trump - it ensures that defenders have to help you in some way with their return, and entries are precious.

I still think E may have only 3 ♠ (he didnt preempt), leaving West with something like Jxxxxx ♠, which may require different lines.

[CSGibson]

MrAce, on 2012-June-20, 16:16, said:

I still think E may have only 3 ♠ (he didnt preempt), leaving West with something like Jxxxxx ♠, which may require different lines.

The OP stated that they play canape, but I didn't spell out the consequences - the 1♠ bid is frequently 4, which may impact preempting tendancies greatly.