3rd July – Board 22: East/West Game. Dealer
East.
Grand slams are never easy
to bid because there has to be no room for doubt, or only a small amount at the
very most.
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North:
S 6 5 3 2
H 9 3
D K 6 5 4
C J 8 7
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West:
S 10
H A K 10 7 2
D J 8 7
C K Q 5 2
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East:
S A K Q 7
H Q J 8 5
D A 10 3
C A 10
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South:
S J 9 8 4
H 6 4
D Q 9 2
C 9 6 4 3
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West
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North
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East
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South
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2NT
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No
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3D
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No
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4H
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No
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4NT
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No
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5C
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No
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5D
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No
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5S
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No
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7H
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End
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Even
if I played that a 2C opening showed 19/20 balanced points I would upgrade that
East hand to open 2NT showing 21/22, rich as it is in controls and with two
tens as well. West will transfer to hearts and East should be happy to break
the transfer in case West was thinking of passing 3H. (If that worries you just
imagine that West holds something like
S
xxx H xxxxxx D xx C xx when even then 4H would be playable.) As it is West will
wheel out the Old Black and when he finds that all key players are present he
can enquire about the queen of trumps via 5D. The reply shows that lady plus
the king of spades and although it is not a certainty the grand slam must be
now well within the odds. If you don’t believe me just make up a few hands for
East compatible with the bidding and you will see.
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