Bid Those Games at IMPs
Another session of Swiss pairs at the Hutt club. It is very important that you bid all the available games. This one slipped past all but one pair.
From Wednesday 14th of June. Board 21 Dealer N NS Vul
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52
AKT72
82
KT97The moment North opens the bidding, South must have GAME in mind, no matter what. As should be so well known: an opening bid opposite an opening bid equals game. When East overcalls 1S, nothing should be different. With spades stopped twice (assuming East has the ace) South can just bash to 3NT (no, he does not need to have anything in clubs as far as I am concerned) or South can bid more scientifically.
A bid of 2D is a 'free bid' and therefore FORCING. Because it is forcing, North should bid 3C even though North might not do that normally as it might be construed as a stronger hand. Once North bids 3C, 3NT should be automatic, though 5D is a reasonable alternative, with that many good diamonds. Three losers are UNLIKELY given South's hand, though there could be the possibility of a spade ruff if West has a singleton. That is why I would always bid 3NT with the South hand given that North opens the bidding and East overcalls 1S. By making a free bid of 2D first, South can feel more comfortable with 3NT when North bids clubs.
The play is easy and when East's singleton king of diamonds pops up, 3NT or 5D is a piece of cake, but nearly all NS pairs played in 3D. The one pair who bid 5D picked up 10 i.m.p on just this one board, and won the head to head match easily as a result.
