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Or vice versa!

“Leading” to the best result.

That’s what we always want our bidding to do. Sometimes, though, we have to decide whether we just blast to what we hope is the final contract or else be more descriptive along the way. “Being descriptive” may help the opponents as much as our partner. Take a look:

 

 

2 is a Weak Jump and we are playing Match Point Pairs. What now?

There are three routes we could take though practically, surely, only two. The option of passing just does not seem right. With favourable vulnerability, we have a good spade fit and 4 looks like a good contract for our side even though the opponents are yet to find a fit. If we say nothing, we will give them too much space to explore.

So, one option is to cut out their bidding space by jumping directly to game:

Pam Livingston “4: Maybe there is something smarter to do but this seems practical.”

Peter Newell “4: Clear cut – Very unlikely to make it, but we have a big fit, and the opponents clearly have a good fit in at least 1 red suit.  The opponents will usually make game and will certainly think they can make game. 

 If partner has a singleton club, then they may not lead it (if partner has a doubleton club that might be good enough too, but may choose to lead a spade).  So maximum pressure, nearly always a good dive, and will make it hard for the opponents to judge what to do.”

Bruce Anderson “4: this has to be a cheap save if doubled, and it may even be a make. It is unlikely we have 4 defensive tricks against 4H, although not impossible if partner has doubleton club and the king is with West.”

Nigel Kearney “4S: I could bid 4 to help partner with the lead but I don't want to leave them extra space. I am not so weak that I will be happy going a couple off in a silly 4 level contract, and partner may lead a club anyway. 

Should the opponents bid on I will defend, rather than risk going for 800 when the opponents five level contract was going down.”

 

Stephen Blackstock “4: It is possible but not likely that we can beat 4: even short clubs and the A with South may not be enough.  I want to get to 4 quickly and make E/W guess how high to go. Perhaps 5 is a good save also, but I am reluctant to press too high as (a) it’s more likely we can find three defensive tricks “and (b) if we can’t defeat 5/5, then 5x may cost 800.

 

4 would be a lead directional spade raise, but I reject it because I could be on lead myself and it gives E/W precious four level options to resolve their own strain and level issues. In any event, South should guess after my 4 bid that my values (such as they are) largely lie outside the red suits, where they would be useful on defence but not assist making seven tricks in 4x.”

 

Stephen is certainly advocating the often correct theory that the 5 level belongs to the opponents. He also comments on and rejects the other route we could take.

 

Kris Wooles “4: showing where my values are to facilitate any defence while expecting to support spades as the auction unfolds.”

 

Andy Braithwaite “4: I am going to bid up to 4 eventually but if the opponents bid 5, I want a club rather than a spade lead so now bid 4 to get that message to partner.”

 

Both Michaels are into suggesting the lead to a heart contract:

 

Michael Ware “4: lead directing.”

 

Michael Cornell “4: and will follow with spade support of course.

I think it is important to involve partner and strongly suggest diving if partner fits clubs but also we get the lead in if e.g., we elect to defend a heart contract.

Unless partner doubles in front of me, I will probably go to 5 myself- looks close to a maximum of 5 losers – but I will be listening to the auction carefully.”

 

4 now might make it harder for them to find a fit but if that fit is in hearts (and at this point, it is by no means certain that is the case) then a club lead may well be useful. It can hardly be worse than the A lead and would be definitely better when South does not hold that card, as was the case:

 

 

 

Whichever way the defence tries to cash their red suit tricks, they should not be able to take more than 500 from 4x down 3). Meanwhile, South does need to find a trick 1 club lead to beat 5. A high spade lead allows East to make all 13 tricks.

Helping partner is often a good idea.

 

 

Looking at all 4 hands, it seems easy for the defence to prevail against 5. South might find a club lead even without a club bid from their partner but without the A, there would be no second chance. For that reason, my money goes with those who bid 4 along the way, despite the extra room and information it provided to the opposition.

 

An unusual development

 

A short and seemingly rather sweet auction is suddenly hijacked by an opponent in a rather unusual way. You were about to lay down your cards as dummy and then this happened!

 

 

1NT was 12-14 and partner’s 2 showed both major suits, at least 4-4. Partner accepted your 3 invite…and then in came West.

What now? You are playing Teams.

 

Richard Solomon

 

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