Early round hand

On the 1st day we had two 57s to qualify in 5th place of 78 qualifiers. This deal was not one of our successes. Andy was North, I was South. David Grainger/Ari Greenberg were East/West.

Board 8
Dlr W
Vl None

		♠	A K 10 9 7 6
		♥	10 9 6
		♦	K 5
		♣	10 3
♠	2			♠	Q 8
♥	8 3 2			♥	A K Q J 7 5 4
♦	Q 10 9 8 6			♦	3
♣	A K 7 6			♣	Q J 8
		♠	J 5 4 3
		♥
		♦	A J 7 4 2
		♣	9 5 4 2

Ari	Andy	David	Franco
West	North	East	South
Pass	1♠	2 ♥	4♠
5♥	Pass	Pass	Dbl
All Pass

We managed to hold it to 5.

Assign the blame. My thoughts below.


I think:

a) Ari made a big 5♥bid. Not sure what he's supposed to do.

b) Ari's difficulty highlights the value of South bidding 4♠ instead of some lower fit jump involving partner.

c) I think North has a clear 5♠ bid.

d) I think I also had a somewhat clear 5♠ bid.


[Andy:]

Nice to start off with what might be the worst thing I did :)

You at least have somewhat of a problem. I had an automatic 5S bid. The only thing I can think of is that he took so long to bid 5H that he talked me out of it [Ari did take a long time--FB]. Even after you doubled I wanted to bid 5S, but I didn't think I could because you took a long time to double. Read more!

Do you balance?

Teams, Unfavorable.

♠	A 8 4 3
♥	A K 10 2
♦	6 4
♣	K 7 3

Dealer opens 3♥ and you are in balancing position. Do you act?

Result below.


I passed and don't think it's close. Down 2 for 100. The other table bid 3N, caught a good dummy, and made it (though I believe there was misdefense). Still don't think it's close.

Read more!

Do you double?

I've received feedback from 200% of my readers that there's too much crazy squeeze material. Luckily, I have several hands from a recent regional to post, and only one of them involves a squeeze.

Teams, favorable vul.

♠	3
♥	A 8 6 4
♦	A K Q 10 9
♣	Q 10 6

West	North	East	South
	Pass	Pass	1♦
4♠	Pass	Pass	?

Result below



I doubled at the table, and partner pulled to 5♦ with 4=2=5=2 and CK, DJ. This was particularly a success when they misdefended (cashing CA allowing me to shake a heart and cross ruff) and it made. 4♠ was slightly tricky but deserved to be made.

I think it's a little bit light on defense, but partner also knows that they've bid 4♠ at unfavorable and this should bias him towards bidding if the decision is close.

Read more!

Team trials assign the blame

Had this auction in a KO match. How would you assign the blame, if any?


Unfavorable

♠	8 4 3
♥
♦	K 10 8 5 2
♣	A Q 10 6 4
♠	K J 5
♥	A 3
♦	A Q 7
♣	K J 7 5 2

West	North	East	South
		1♥	Dbl
3♥	4N	5♥	6♣
Pass	Pass	6♥	Pass
Pass	7♣	Dbl	All Pass

Read more!

Team trials bidding problems outcome

These 2 hands were previously presented as separate bidding problems (North post, South post):

♠	Q J 6
♥	Q 8
♦	J 8 7 4 2
♣	A 10 4

♠
♥	J 5 4
♦	A K 6 5
♣	K Q J 9 5 2

South	West	North	East
			1♠
2♣	4♠	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	5♣

I think acting with the South cards is right, but now prefer 4N to double. I also think bidding over double is right with the North cards, though that was not a popular choice in comments. In fact, the opponents can make 4♠ if they double hook in trumps, which is probably marked if you pass. 5♣ is down one (you must lose a diamond).

In practice, the double took 20-30 seconds behind screens and that was enough to get the result rolled back to -790. For what it's worth, the committee concurred that 5♣ was the right call, but concluded it was also suggested by the hesitation.





Read more!

Team trials bidding problem

My partner held this hand in the team trials, favorable 4th seat:

♠	Q J 6
♥	Q 8
♦	J 8 7 4 2
♣	A 10 4

South	West	North	East
			1♠
2♣	4♠	Pass	Pass
Dbl	Pass	?

What's your call?


Read more!

Team trials bidding problem

I held this hand in the team trials, favorable 2nd seat:

♠
♥	J 5 4
♦	A K 6 5
♣	K Q J 9 5 2

South	West	North	East
			1♠
2♣	4♠	Pass	Pass
?

How would you rate Pass, Double, 4NT, and 5♣?



At the table, I doubled; I think now that it's right to bid 4NT.


Read more!