Hand of the day #280
The Aces On Bridge by Bobby Wolff How do you plan to make four hearts after West...
Bobby Wolff answers your questions
I picked up:
With everyone vulnerable. I passed in second seat and LHO opened one no-trump, strong. Partner overcalled two clubs for the majors. What should my bids mean now, and what would you do?
Game On, Rockford, Ill.
Answer: 2♦
I must make a positive move towards four spades rather than up and bid it. A jump to three spades should focus on shape rather than high cards. The best way to show invite on power invitation is either to start with a conventional two no-trump, or two diamonds (initially no preference) followed by bidding spades. Here, I would bid two diamonds then bid three spades next.
An opponent of mine recently questioned how I was able to make a play that led to his defeat, but he did it in an aggressive tone at the end of the hand. Is this acceptable behavior?
Sour Grapes, Salinas, Calif.
Answer: This sort of thing is quite common. An opponent makes an assumption that you would not do x with y, which turns out to be wrong. He then blames you for it rather than himself. It is certainly not correct to interrogate someone in the manner you describe. After all, bridge is supposed to be a social game.
How should we play a double of a strong no-trump opening? I have seen various good partnerships doing different things. Is there a consensus amongst top players?
On the Pulse, Twin Falls, Idaho
Answer: Double
Even in the top tier, opinion differs as to the best use of a double. Some play straight penalty while others take the view that a game is unlikely after a strong no-trump opening, and use double to show some other hand-type. I would recommend simply choosing the approach which you prefer, but I would argue for having a penalty double available when they open one no-trump in third seat non-vulnerable.
Early on in the last set of a long teams match, I misguessed the trump queen to go down in a vulnerable game, and partner followed up by doubling their partscore into game on the next hand, apparently as a result of our result on the previous hand, or so he says. Is this really the right way to play the game?
Compound Squeeze, Mitchell, S.D.
Answer:
Your partner’s reaction was illogical. Unless you are desperately trying to make up lost ground with time running out – not the case here. Taking off-center and odds-against actions rarely works. I imagine your partner was emotionally affected by the result on the previous board, but misguessing a queen isn’t a crime. I did it myself in 1988.
What would you bid with this hand:
First-in with everyone vulnerable? I opened two clubs and we got too high.
One Card, Bristol, Va.
Answer: 2♣
I think it is reasonable to force to game with two clubs since as little as the heart queen, or three spades and a doubleton heart, might be enough for game, and partner will not keep the bidding open over one spade with that.
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