[diana_eva]

Hi,

This deal came up in a random match on BBO and I'm not sure who went wrong where, and what we could do differently:

IMPs. Both us and opps are playing 2/1 so I knew the bidding will get back to me after 1nt forcing.

---

1) Should I x first round, over 1NT?
2) Does my X second round show a strong hand that couldn't x over 1NT for whatever reason?
3) Is my partner's pass reasonable given his hand? What are his other options?
4) Is this a situation where reopening is a bad idea?

Thank you.

[ahydra]

1) depends on agreements. Most people play X there is T/O of spades, so X over 1NT seems best.

2) I would actually play that as slightly weaker than a first-round X - perhaps something like a 0454 8- or 9-count which doesn't want to defend 2S but was happy to defend anything else that came back after 1NT. I'd like to know what the "standard" meaning of this second-round X is - I've even had one partner in the past play it as penalty. But with a strong hand I'd double first round.

3) At IMPS, no. He has 3 tricks so he needs 4 tricks in your hand to make it a safe penalty pass, which is too unlikely. I think he should bid 2NT, if natural (if it's not... I've no idea)

4) Well you're vul but I'd reopen every time with that shape.

As for the play, "double and lead trumps" so SA and another should have been the lead, and clearly something went a bit wrong in the heart suit At trick eight, dummy has no threats, so it might be safer to exit with the CK just in case the heart position is as it is.

ahydra

[Cyberyeti]

ahydra, on 2012-June-21, 03:57, said:

As for the play, "double and lead trumps" so SA and another should have been the lead, and clearly something went a bit wrong in the heart suit At trick eight, dummy has no threats, so it might be safer to exit with the CK just in case the heart position is as it is.

ahydra

Actually this isn't good enough, as it gives declarer a second entry to dummy with 8♠ to hook ♦ twice. Small spade (also avoids the embarrassment of partner holding stiff K) should beat this, as play went, taking A♠ and switching to a club (or a heart and partner switching to a club) should beat this, the key is to avoid declarer getting to dummy twice.

As to the auction I would normally double over 1N, but it's not unreasonable to pass and wait.

[diana_eva]

ahydra, on 2012-June-21, 03:57, said:

2) I would actually play that as slightly weaker than a first-round X - perhaps something like a 0454 8- or 9-count which doesn't want to defend 2S but was happy to defend anything else that came back after 1NT. I'd like to know what the "standard" meaning of this second-round X is - I've even had one partner in the past play it as penalty. But with a strong hand I'd double first round.

ahydra

Yes, i heard several stories here as well - including that it can be penalty. I thought it would mean take/out with good distribution and not too strong since it couldn't x over 1nt.


We had no agreements, but all at the table except me were star players - if that counts for anything. So if there's an "expert standard" I'd expect they play that.

[ahydra]

Cyberyeti, on 2012-June-21, 04:13, said:

Actually this isn't good enough, as it gives declarer a second entry to dummy with 8♠ to hook ♦ twice. Small spade (also avoids the embarrassment of partner holding stiff K) should beat this, as play went, taking A♠ and switching to a club (or a heart and partner switching to a club) should beat this, the key is to avoid declarer getting to dummy twice.

Ah, I missed that the 4th heart got ruffed.

ahydra

[Cyberyeti]

ahydra, on 2012-June-21, 05:27, said:

Ah, I missed that the 4th heart got ruffed.

ahydra

It's not that, count tricks, declarer has 5 spades, a diamond and a heart by force, if he gets a second diamond he's home.

Declarer can in fact make this I think on a small spade lead, win in hand and play a heart to the 9. What does E return ?

A diamond to get partner in to get the trump off the table then A♥ allows the second diamond finesse
A heart allows declarer to ruff a club, ruff a heart and lead a diamond to the 10
A club allows declarer to ruff, heart to A, club ruff, diamond to 10

[mike777]

Hard hand, good argument to get in early with x over 1nt rather than later over 2s.

[MrAce]

diana_eva, on 2012-June-21, 02:21, said:

Hi,

This deal came up in a random match on BBO and I'm not sure who went wrong where, and what we could do differently:

IMPs. Both us and opps are playing 2/1 so I knew the bidding will get back to me after 1nt forcing.

---

1) Should I x first round, over 1NT?
2) Does my X second round show a strong hand that couldn't x over 1NT for whatever reason?
3) Is my partner's pass reasonable given his hand? What are his other options?
4) Is this a situation where reopening is a bad idea?

Thank you.

1- I would have started x at first round but that would make things worse tbh in this hand.
2- No, stronger hand would have acted previous round, you are in pass out seat and you could have doubled with less than what you actually had, with this perfect shape.
3- Its a huge risk to pass 2♠ doubled imo, pd is balancing. I know bidding is not atractive either and may even be worse. Overall he had to choose one of the evils, i cant blame him much.
4- No i think you did what i would have done. Those who doesnt will avoid the problem you faced this hand now and then but basically they will have to bail a lot of imps in all other hands due to extreme passive style.

[rduran1216]

am I missing something, 2S should be down once they lead a spade to the 8, it takes careful play to make two, the club void is very unlucky, as with even a stiff club, this goes down.

[Cyberyeti]

rduran1216, on 2012-June-21, 16:27, said:

am I missing something, 2S should be down once they lead a spade to the 8, it takes careful play to make two, the club void is very unlucky, as with even a stiff club, this goes down.

You're not missing anything, if W takes the A♠ it goes off. Declarer's put it on the floor by playing A♥, if he ducks, he makes by force.