Vil Gravis's blog

What & Why (04)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Sat, 15/05/2021 - 06:55

Now for some answers to some of the questions from last time. Le’s look at the hands again

AQ62
KQ5
K9
Q973
J875
A862
AJ7
AK

3. If you are in 4S, does it matter much if you are playing teams, and how would you play the suit?

What & Why (03)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 13/05/2021 - 13:46

First up: your homework. You are West and it is teams. You opened 1C, 1H from partner and you rebid 1NT (15-17). Partner calls 6NT.

AQ62
KQ5
K9
Q973
J875
A862
AJ7
AK

Here are the questions, all relating to the spade suit:
Please be specific re your play: what do you lead from which hand and what then.

1. If you have landed up in 7S (or 7NT) how do you play the spade suit?
2. If you are in 6S in a teams match, how do you play the spade suit?
3. If you are in 4S, does it matter much if you are playing teams, and how would you play the suit?
4. In 4S in a club session, how would you play the suit?
5. In 3NT in a club session, how would you play the whole hand given the four of hearts lead?

Vil's Views on Syching

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Mon, 10/05/2021 - 08:41

Friday Psyche
The bidding on this hand, played on a recent Friday afternoon, has been brought to my attention - with a query as to what I would do as the Director if I were called to the table after the hand was played.

Board 12 Dealer W NS Vul

J972
T8762
A52
K
T53
AK4
QJT
J943
A64
53
98743
875
KQ8
QJ9
K6
AQT62

This was the auction:

SouthWestNorthEast
-PassPassPass
1Pass111
1NTPassPassPass

1. (!!)

What & Why (02)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 07/05/2021 - 13:23

First up - some answers to What & Why (01):

1. Match Points Dealer East all vul

AKQJT7
8743
A76

You are SOUTH. Playing at match points East opens 1NT. What do you bid?

What & Why (01)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 29/04/2021 - 14:12

Welcome to What&Why. This series is for IMPROVERS. Most of the questions and answers will be aimed at players who are playing at Intermediate or Open level or in the upper grades of club play.

The questions arise from actual play that readers may have taken part in. The first ‘chapters’ will cover more than just a few things that we can all learn from. Apart from No.1, they all come from just one deal sent to me by my correspondent John from the Franklin club. It is quite amazing that so many things can come up in just one deal, as you will see when you take part in this series.

1. Match Points Dealer East all vul

AKQJT7
8743
A76

Wednesday Play at The Hutt (21)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Tue, 27/04/2021 - 15:52

From last week, a couple of suggestions from readers.

Wednesday Play at The Hutt (20)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Thu, 22/04/2021 - 17:11

Here is a tricky little puzzle for all readers who play on Wednesdays. It is a problem that I can not solve without input from readers and players.

Board 13 from Wednesday 21/04/21
Dealer N All Vul

T65
QT762
J54
T3
QJ7
AJ5
A73
J965
432
9
QT92
KQ874
AK98
K843
K86
A2

Wednesday Play at The Hutt (19)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 16/04/2021 - 09:14

Time to go back to defence and to signalling. Last Wednesday's X-Clubs Board 15 involves very basic signalling for the defenders. No guesswork at all should be involved, but even so almost half the NS pairs allowed East to make one more trick than East should have made as declarer.

Board 15 from Wednesday 14/04/2021
Dealer S NS Vul

7542
T8
JT6
Q964
AK86
62
A984
753
J
AKQJ9754
7
JT2
QT93
3
KQ532
AK8

Vil Recommends ..

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 16/04/2021 - 09:07

Subject: New bridge books on declarer play and defense

Hi all, some of the books belowwill definitely be worth reading. If anyone is interested, I would be happy to discuss the books when they have them. Maybe even one person could buy one or two and then share them with others? If you're interested in such a ‘joint venture’ please let me know, or if anyone wants to purchase any of the books they can do so direct. I think declarer play and defence are the major things that need improving on.

Best wishes,
Vil

Wednesday Play at The Hutt (18)

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 09/04/2021 - 20:06

Last Wednesday's board 20 provided us with a simple lesson in declarer play, but simple as it may seem, only three Wests out of thirteen managed to make all the available thirteen tricks, either in No Trumps or spades. West has a standard 1NT (12-14) opening bid and East, with both the majors, should look for a major suit fit with a Stayman 2C bid. But some Easts may be either too ignorant, or too lazy, or too confident because of their high point count, and bid 3NT without bothering about the majors. That is a moot point and of no relevance to what we want to discuss, which is basic declarer play to make as many tricks as possible and as safely as possible. Take a look:

Board 20 from Wednesday 7/04/2021
Dealer W All Vul

K5
J63
97542
Q87
Q842
AQ
AQT
T652
AJT9
KT72
J8
AK3
763
9854
K63
J94

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