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  Too passive?

                              “Too Low, Joe”

It was not that the partnership had 28 hcp combined and missed game or that they played what should be a slam with 34 hcp in 3NT. It was just that with a combined 22 hcp they played in a lowly part-score when there was a choice of games available. Strangely, neither of those games was in a major suit and the more normal was indeed in diamonds.

So, why was game missed?

 

There were 9 top tricks in no trumps and 11 in diamonds on any lead. Yet, the auction died in 2. Who should have done more?

              Blame!

The Panel were sharpening their knives for their analysis here. While South perhaps could, maybe even should have done a little more, there are almost no kind words for North’s silence throughout.

Bruce Anderson “I do not understand North’s failure to bid 1 after West doubles, particularly given the partial diamond fit.

Over 1, South should then bid 3 to show his/strength if East either passes or makes a negative double. It is not easy to reach 3NT but if the bidding proceeds in this way, North could invite with 4. With the partial spade fit, it would not be unreasonable for South to then bid game.

 

South is close to bidding 3 as North is likely to be short in hearts but cannot be decried for bidding only 2 after North’s pusillanimous pass.”

 

Strong words. It may depend a little on your system but if the South hand could contain a weak no-trump, I do not see it mandatory to bid a suit likely to be held by your right-hand opponent and finish in an uncomfortable 1NT or some higher level doubled.

Also, the jump to 3 will not be a jump should East bid 2H as would have been the case. There are plenty of hcp and hearts in this pack available for the opposition, too.

More understanding of the initial pass but still pointing in the North direction is:

Michael Ware “ I'm happy enough with North's pass over 1x, but their pass of 2 is beyond belief. Assuming North has shown a weak hand by failing to bid over 1X (no bid or XX), North had the most obvious 2 cue of all time, let alone a 3 raise. Astonishing.”

Me, too. 3 does seem a token gesture if only to make it harder for the opponents to bid hearts once more. Back to the spade bid that never was:

 

Stephen Blackstock “Principally or entirely North. South’s 2 isn’t aggressive, but the auction suggests the K may be valueless. And consider that North may have held Jxxx,xx,xx,10xxxx. Now even 2 is not cold. 1NT is likely to make, but that won’t coax a bid out of North on the hand held.

On the other hand, I see no reason for North not to bid 1S: N/S may have a 4-4 fit notwithstanding West’s double, and for most four spades would not in any event be guaranteed by the double. Having not acted on the first round, it is imperative that North later shows some real signs of life. The A, a singleton, and three trumps opposite South’s long and likely strong suit is worth at least three tricks, and the J may be another. A strength showing 2 or even a 3 splinter would both have got N/S to game.

In short, South’s auction was arguably very reasonable, while, alas, North was far too timid.”

 

 

Peter Newell “North definitely, South little or no blame. The opening bid is fine:  so looking at the other 3 actions:

Norths first pass is timid – yes only 5 points, but nice spades probably sitting over the double, 3 card support for partner and a singleton….clearly worth a bid, why not bid 1?

South had a good hand to bid 2, but given partner couldn’t find a bid over 1 it is hard to think of hands that can make game, so why jump? If partner had a poor hand or there was a bad diamond break, 3 wouldn’t make. Vulnerable bidding 2 is not a weak action anyway.….and

finally Norths final pass. – to bid 2, one would expect partner to have 6+ diamonds and you have 3 card support, a singleton and some good spade values: clear to bid 3. If  partner didn’t have such good hearts, the opponents would be likely making 2/3 hearts so 3 has value to keep the opponents out as well as waking up that you have a good hand for partner.”

Nigel Kearney “North gets most of the blame. The worst error was passing 2. In the context of the auction, North has an absolute powerhouse. The ability to ruff hearts plus an ace and possibly a second spade trick mean the hand is worth a bit more than three tricks on average. Of course, you will miss games if you pass throughout with anywhere near that much. I would also respond 1 rather than passing the double. Most 5 HCP hands should respond and this is much better than average. Also, 1 pre-empts their heart suit a little.

South could have done more . 2 is conservative but understandable. 3 or 2NT instead will occasionally get you to a making game but is more likely to work as a pre-empt since you don't expect to buy it in 2 and they may need space to find their best trump suit.”

So, South’s 2D was perhaps conservative. There was a little more blame sharing from:

Michael Cornell “Both. When partner has opened 1 and I have a singleton and an ace( and three diamonds)  you would have to point a gun at my head not to bid with AJ9x, just because RHO has doubled.

However, if my partner is known to be a feeble bidder, the 2 rebid is quite pathetic. You know you will bid 3 if they compete to 2 or 3 so why not bid it immediately?

I allocate the blame 70% North  30% South ,a  little tough on South but they get 10-15% for being daft enough to play with North!”

 

Kris Wooles “ North should bid 1 and thereafter most sensible auctions should lead to game. (Zia Mahmoud said you should always respond with an ace but this hand is better than just an ace). 

On the actual bidding, South should bid 3 and I would expect North to bid at least 4 .”

 

Or perhaps a little more understanding from:

Pam Livingston “North.   Though it does depend on your partnership style for the 2 bid.  My preferred style is that, vulnerable when partner couldn't find a response the first time, 2 shows a pretty good hand.  That makes North's ace, singleton and three card support valuable.  A raise to 3 is in order.

That is assuming that North chose to pass after the double which some may not with those spades and a singleton heart. If you are the kind of partnership that bids 2 here every time you have a six card suit, then North would be more reticent about raising.”

And finally:

Andy Braithwaite “2 was a gross underbid. Surely 3 then 3 partner and 3NT?

Well, it seems South could have been a little more aggressive whereas North should. The end result of double conservatism (if indeed South was) is usually a poor result. For all the criticism especially of North, it would have been interesting to see how the partnership would have bid to game had North called 1 and East overcalled in hearts. North may not be so keen to bid freely twice. Here were the 4 hands.

 

 

Rule Breaking?

 

 

Your pre-empt pushed your opponents into what may be an awkward contract. Your partner leads K and follows that with Q with declarer following to both. What now?

Richard Solomon

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