Getting To Grips

15th January – Board 21. North/South Game. Dealer North.

I’m not sure many pairs really got to grips with the featured hand, or at least in the best way. Certainly it’s a lot more than just counting points, when instead judgment should become paramount.

	North: S A K 9 H Q 6 5 3 D A K Q 7 2 C A
West: S J H K J 8 4 2 D 10 9 8 3 C K 4 2		East: S 8 5 2 H A 10 7 D 4 C J 9 8 6 5 3
	South: S Q 10 7 6 4 3 H 9 D J 6 5 C Q 10 7

West	North	East	South
	2C/2D	No	2D/2H
No	2NT	No	3H
No	4C	No	4H
No	4NT	No	5C
No	6S	End

I know that the North has 22 points but to open it 2NT is, in my view, a terrible underbid. With eight potential tricks in its own right it must be worth the strongest bid available, be that 2C or 2D according to system. As an aside make those two low diamonds low clubs instead and now 2NT would be fine – but then the hand is a five-loser not a three-loser! After the expected relay, 2NT is now fine, ostensibly showing 23/24. Nor should one be worried about missing an eight card major fit because partner always has the facility to use Stayman. As it happens South will transfer with 3H and now that North hand is truly enormous. With potential ruffing values in clubs available it is well worth a transfer break to 4C, showing the ace of course, and now the spotlight turns on South. With a hand significantly better than it might be he is worth a reciprocal cue-bid of 4H, showing a first or second round control. You may think that this is confusing to opener but when you have a weak hand in response to opener’s rock-crusher you cannot be expected to have a hand redolent in first round controls so it is permissible to be flexible and show what features you can. In any event after this happy continuation North can wheel out the Old Black, find an ace missing and bid the laydown slam.