Hands played at the Palmerston North Bridge Club published here for discussion and question and answer.
Any bidding shown is an actual auction and not necessarily recommended.
Please feel free to participate and make suggestions.
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
Senior/Senior Reserve 18/8/15 Hand 11
Board 11 South Deals None Vul
♠
J 9 4
♥
10 9 8 2
♦
10 7 6 3
♣
K 7
♠
A 8 3
♥
K Q 7 6 5
♦
Q 8 4
♣
8 3
N
W
E
S
♠
—
♥
A J
♦
A K 9 5 2
♣
A Q 10 9 4 2
♠
K Q 10 7 6 5 2
♥
4 3
♦
J
♣
J 6 5
EW 7♥; EW 6N; EW 6♦; EW 6♣; NS 1♠; Par −1400: NS 7♠×−6
Yes 4NT is better than a unilateral 5C. Actually it is standard for 4NT to not be the minors here. Standard is any two suits, five-five or better. This is specifically over 4S as over 4H with five decent spades you would just bid them and hope.
After 4NT if partner bids a suit you do not have then you correct and partner will know you have the other two suits. It can be awkward for responder too. Say you had something like 3=2=5=3 and partner bid 4NT the correct response would be 5C not 5D. As if the 4NT bidder has five hearts and five clubs you would be in trouble here when partner corrected 5D to 5H.
As a matter of judgement I think its fairly reasonable for east to bid slam after 4NT. You have a three loser hand, there is a presumption of a fit and since one opponent is weak with spades partner is odds on to cover more than one of your losers and there is always the chance of a finesse as here with the cK.
North shouldn't hesitate to raise to 4S here. Slam is in the wind. East should be able to bid 4NT - take out for both minors.
ReplyDeleteYes 4NT is better than a unilateral 5C. Actually it is standard for 4NT to not be the minors here. Standard is any two suits, five-five or better. This is specifically over 4S as over 4H with five decent spades you would just bid them and hope.
ReplyDeleteAfter 4NT if partner bids a suit you do not have then you correct and partner will know you have the other two suits. It can be awkward for responder too. Say you had something like 3=2=5=3 and partner bid 4NT the correct response would be 5C not 5D. As if the 4NT bidder has five hearts and five clubs you would be in trouble here when partner corrected 5D to 5H.
As a matter of judgement I think its fairly reasonable for east to bid slam after 4NT. You have a three loser hand, there is a presumption of a fit and since one opponent is weak with spades partner is odds on to cover more than one of your losers and there is always the chance of a finesse as here with the cK.