25th August – Board 6: East/West Game. Dealer North.
I wonder how many pairs got too high on the hand shown below? What is sure is that East will open the bidding with 1S and that South will overcall with 2H. But what next? I have to say that if I were at the table I would have ended up with a minus score but, honest as the day is long, this is how I believe the auction would go.
West
|
North
|
East
|
South
|
|
No
|
1S
|
2H
|
2S
|
No
|
3C
|
No
|
3S
|
End
| | |
I certainly think that West should compete with 2S and at first glance and with an eye to the Losing Trick Count East might just go all the way. But I think caution should be applied a little because quite often partner will raise spades with just a trebleton and it is quite likely that there will be some wasted values in hearts. So I would bid on and the most flexible way is to make a trial bid of 3C, saying in effect that game might be on if West has either a decent raise or has good help in clubs. With such a feeble hand West would surely sign off and best defence would defeat this contract by a trick. But it strikes me that if partner held a fourth spade then game would not be such a bad bet.
I would not bid 2S as west; I'd pass.
ReplyDeleteNick M
I know it looks bold to bid 2S with such a weak hand but it is certainly the right action. Remember that when partner opens 1S they will either have a five-card suit or will have a hand of fifteen points or more. Imagine you pass and 2H goes back to partner who will almost certainly re-open with a double. What are you going to do then? Pass? If you do you will regret it because 2H is likely to be an easy make.
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