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Getting to Game…the right game.  

When one partner has a really strong strong no-trump hand (18 count) and their

partner a good long heart suit, you would think getting to 4 would be a formality…

but this was not always the case on one board last night. The problem was caused by an

opponent’s weak jump overcall:

 

 

West would like to bid but lacks the point count to call 3. The options, without employing science, seem to be double or pass. If West doubles and East bids a minor at the 3 level, the theory is West can now call 3 to show the type of hand they hold. In this case, had West doubled, North might choose to raise the stakes to 3. Now, East must be watchful as although they would like to bid 3NT, what turns out as reality is that one hold in no trumps is not enough. A “do something sensible” double by East of 3 would be wiser. Yet, should West really be happy with 3NT as the final contract? For West, with a void,it should be a case of bidding what you have got and preparing the apology note if it is wrong! On this occasion, the note can be torn up!

After West’s double of 2, North could do better by passing. East might also choose to pass, a disaster for East-West. The other option of 3NT should be converted to 4 but the onus is on both players to bid sensibly to reach the routine game.

If West chooses to pass over 2, then only a strong 2NT call by East, not my favourite action, would save the day for East-West.

However, I did mention science above…and lovers of Lebensohl can come to the fore with a competitive “forcing to 3C” 2NT by West who certainly would like to try a competitive 3. After that, with East far from minimum, reaching 4 should be a formality with North saving a little for his partnership by diving in 4, doubled but only -500.

No South scored a club ruff which holds 4 to only 10 tricks. A few East players found themselves in 3NT on a low spade lead. When the jack appears from North, East can afford to duck, but disaster beckons if the Q is also ducked. When the king appears, it is South’s turn to assess the situation. If East holds both the 9 and 8, the suit will not run for South. Thus, South must duck too and hope North has a third spade. Accurate defence is then rewarded when after J is ducked, a second heart is taken by North and four more rounds of spades will initiate an East-West discussion as to why “Hamman’s Rule” of trying 3NT does not apply on the East-West cards.

Richard Solomon

 

 

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