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What is the best way for EW to get to the best contract after North opens a weak 2S?
Board 17 from Thursday 15/08/2019
Dealer N Nil Vul
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KJT754
Q87
3
JT6Firstly, assuming that both North and East pass. East of course has no reason to bid, but North might think about preempting things further and bidding 2S. I would not recommend that, and in this case it would probably goad West into bidding 4H, so much for those sort of preemptive tactics.
So let’s say North does not make a call. What is West’s best action? If game is on for EW, there are two possible games as far as West can see: 4H or 3NT, though 5D must also be possible but a long shot. The weak two has given West sufficient space to investigate the options. West should DOUBLE for a start. Then, if East bids 3H, no problem. If East bids 3C, West can bid 3H. Then, if East does not have three card heart support but a partial spade (e.g. Qxx or even Qx) stopper, East can bid 3S and West will bid 3NT, or East may have Kx in spades and not enough strength to bid either 2NT or 3NT when West doubles 2S. That is the value of having a strong enough hand and space to investigate. With a weaker hand (e.g. take away the ace of spades), West’s best and most sensible option would be to bid 3H and leave it to East, if East has a good enough hand in support, to make the next move.
As the reader can see, 3NT is a poor place if North leads their suit, whereas 4H has numerous chances
of success, in fact makes an overtrick as the cards lie. See for yourself by clicking here.
