[CSGibson]

Hand 4:

Scoring: MP

(1♥)-P-(1♠)-2♠,
All Pass

---

I bid 2 spades. RHO started out with Ace of diamonds, diamond, but even with the help there I was only able to scrounge together 7 tricks. -100 was still worth 11 of 17 matchpoints.

Incidentally, this would be a much better hand if I were slightly weaker, as there would be a better chance that partner has some sort of entry I could use.

[CSGibson]

Hand 5: (some of the spots have changed slightly upon recovery of the hand record)

Scoring: MP

P-2♣,
3♣-4♣,
4♦-4♥,
5♣-5♦,
6♣-7♣
All Pass

---

7N is cold on the lie of the cards, but 7♣ was still worth 25 on a 25 top. Partner assumed that because I make a slam try on a king high suit with only one outside control, that I probably had 6 clubs. The auction probably gets to 6N (which is where most people played it) if you rebid 3N, which is not an excellent contract on a diamond lead, but still comes home.

Overall a fun day playing bridge, we wound up with a 66% in the afternoon and a 61% in the evening in a mixed-strength field, and certainly enjoyed our share of gifts along the way.

[gwnn]

I don't understand partner's bidding on hand 5. Looks like he dragged you to the 7 level after hearing of the ♦ control. Why not bid 7♣ directly over 4♦ then?

[CSGibson]

gwnn, on May 23 2009, 02:53 PM, said:

I don't understand partner's bidding on hand 5. Looks like he dragged you to the 7 level after hearing of the ♦ control. Why not bid 7♣ directly over 4♦ then?

He wanted to figure out whether 7N or 7 clubs was a better contract, and to offer me a choice between the two, which he figured he did by going slowly. If I can show the king of spades, which I just barely have room for, 7N is our likely spot.

[jdonn]

pretzalz, on May 23 2009, 12:43 PM, said:

On 5, don't most people play 3N as forcing[surely 4N is always safe on this auction]? I think 3N is normal and is the best preparation for the rest of the auction. 4C seems a distortion to me.

And if partner raises to 4NT what do you do? How do you agree clubs and either start cuebidding or ask for keycards? All you will know is partner has no second suit, he can still easily have xxx xx Ax KTxxxx, or more in spades and no ace of diamonds. So much easier to just take control when you know what way you are headed.

[the hog]

3C
Pass
Pass
2S if natural, else pass
4C (3NT if this is forcing)

The most unblievable to me is bidding on board 2; I think this shows a failure to understand the auction.

[gnasher]

jdonn, on May 24 2009, 12:09 AM, said:

pretzalz, on May 23 2009, 12:43 PM, said:

On 5, don't most people play 3N as forcing[surely 4N is always safe on this auction]?  I think 3N is normal and is the best preparation for the rest of the auction.  4C seems a distortion to me.

And if partner raises to 4NT what do you do? How do you agree clubs and either start cuebidding or ask for keycards? All you will know is partner has no second suit, he can still

After 2♣-3♣;3NT-4NT, any five-level suit bid ought to agree clubs and be forcing. You've still wasted a level, though.