Why Not?

5th May – Board 21. North/South. Dealer North.

Some problem hands the textbooks just do not deal with, mainly because there is no definitive answer.

	North: S K Q 6 H J 10 7 6 5 D K 5 C K Q 6
West: S A 8 4 3 H K Q 4 D 3 C A J 7 5 4		East: S J 7 2 H A 9 8 3 2 D 8 2 C 8 3 2
	South: S 10 9 5 H none D A Q J 10 9 7 6 4 C 10 9

West	North	East	South
	1NT	No	3NT
End

I don’t mind opening that North hand 1NT because the idea of rebidding 2H after a 2D response is particularly abhorrent if I open 1H. (Actually I think the hand is a little good for a weak no-trump and if I did open 1H then I would always rebid in no-trumps at the lowest level available.) Never mind, I expect 1NT was chosen more often than not but what is poor South supposed to do? Who knows, and I think the choice of 3NT taken at my able was sensible, enough and why not. Unfortunately the hand has five top losers so 3NT founders while 5D is cold, thanks to the position of the black suit aces. You see, that North hand is too good! Make the KQ spades the ace or the KQ clubs the ace then 3NT is easy. I also notice that if you swap the West and East hands around then 3NT will make on a natural low club lead while 5D will not!