“Points, schmoints” ... if I may quote a well known American bridge mentor. That advice was obviously NOT taken by nearly all the Norths who took part in this deal.
Board 14 from Wednesday 5/08/2020
Dealer E Nil Vul
The bidding, in all probability, was opened 1S after two passes. Whether North waits or whether North bids 5D immediately can be argued, but the end outcome should always be that North bids 5D. Any North who does not bid 5D simply does not understand the power of TRICKS as against the power of POINTS. Those taught to count up their points will add up to twelve, those taught to calculate potential tricks will see that there are only four likely losers in 5D, five at most. That equates to nine tricks. It should be apparent, once West opens the bidding, that EW can probably make game in one of the majors, and NORTH can make at least nine tricks in a diamond contract. So, it should be automatic for North to bid 5D, either sooner or later. North could even pass when West opens 1S, and lurk in the bushes waiting to see what will happen. If North counts the POINTS, North will see that the bidding will not be passed out in 1S, and 5D can wait. However an immediate bid of 5D will tell the whole story and then, should South have something of value, the opponents may end up overboard if East is tempted to bid, or North may get doubled and make. If North just lurks and waits until opponents bid game, then North will be doubled for sure, which may or may not turn out well.
Surprisingly, at least in our Hutt club’s lower grade session, only two Norths were in 5D, one doubled and one not, both scoring in the high 90%s. Sacrificing when the odds are so hugely in your favour is something that the improving player must learn to do, as well as counting tricks, not being point bound. Unfortunately too many of our learners are taught about points but not tricks. Let me repeat Marty Bergen’s message: “POINTS? SCHMOINTS”
4
3
AKJT6542
A73