[iscbrooks]

West Nor East Sou
2♦ x pass 4♠
pass pass 5♦ 5♠

---

I'm not positive about the exact hand (I was south, so that's the one I remember best). The play was pretty simple. A diamond lead ruffed in hand, followed by pulling trump, and eventually losing the A♥ and the Q♣, to make with no overtricks. However, after the hand was over I wondered if a 6♦ bid on either West's or East's part would be a good idea. They would make six trumps tricks, the A♥ and the Q♣, and would be able to set up heart tricks. And with favorable vulnerbility it seems to me like it might be beneficial. Another question, though, is could they have known to bid it?

[EricK]

iscbrooks, on Nov 28 2004, 09:51 AM, said:

West Nor East Sou
2♦ x pass 4♠
pass pass 5♦ 5♠

---

I'm not positive about the exact hand (I was south, so that's the one I remember best). The play was pretty simple. A diamond lead ruffed in hand, followed by pulling trump, and eventually losing the A♥ and the Q♣, to make with no overtricks. However, after the hand was over I wondered if a 6♦ bid on either West's or East's part would be a good idea. They would make six trumps tricks, the A♥ and the Q♣, and would be able to set up heart tricks. And with favorable vulnerbility it seems to me like it might be beneficial. Another question, though, is could they have known to bid it?

I don't know about whether EW should sacrifice (if South has a ♦ void - quite likely on his bidding - then even 6♠ might make), but East had already made a fundamental error.

What is the purpose of passing and then sacrifing in 5♦? If he simply bids 5♦ on the first round he puts South in a difficult position.

From South's point of view, the par contract might easily be 6♠, or even 7♠. After all the actual North hand is sub-minimum for a double. Give North the ♥A extra and a ♦ fewer and 7♠ is cold.

If South guesses to bid cautiously with 5♠ he would win in this instance, but otherwise EW stand a good chance of getting a plus score.

Eric

[whereagles]

Seeing only the E/W cards, I wouldn't have sacrificed. Quite likely you'll make 1 heart, 1 diamond, 1 club and the sacrifice will be a phantom a most of the time.

[the hog]

Poor bidding from all concerned. Why East passed is known only to East himself. It certainly was not a decision based on bridge logic; a 5 or 6D bid at first shot is sensible.

I am amazed at the 5S bid by South, however this particular South has seen partner's non bids before. If my partners doubled for takeout and I held this hand, 6 is automatic. It doesn't make? There is a reason for this. Where is the hand North held when he made the takeout X? Surely it wasn't this garbagey 4333 12 count he displayed after the opening lead.

The only person who bid his hand sensibly was West.

[Rebound]

I'm surprised no one has pointed out the decision by West to open this hand 2 ♦ holding a 4-card ♥ suit and a void. I dislike that a great deal. In any event, I agree with an immediate jump to 5♦ by East and would pass thereafter. The 5-level is a perfect place to dump opponents who have no idea if they're in a makeable contract. As it happens, 2♦-x-5♦ could make things very tough for South, but if I held the south hand on that auction I would bid 6♠ with no regrets. Be that as it may, from the E/W perspective South could have a very different hand and be in a real quandry over 5♦.

[whereagles]

The 2D opening is normal. In time people have realized that opening this sort of hand is lucrative, despite its flaws (void, side suit..).

[EricK]

whereagles, on Nov 29 2004, 09:34 AM, said:

The 2D opening is normal. In time people have realized that opening this sort of hand is lucrative, despite its flaws (void, side suit..).

At this vulnerability, 3♦ looks more normal. But it does depend on how low the x's are.

Eric