What & Why (14)
The following deal came up in a recent match point session. When you see the full deal you may not believe the bidding but whatever the case, there are a lot of lessons to be learnt, which is why I set it as a progressive exercise for our panel of advanced and advancing players. Here is the full deal so the reader can appreciate all the ramifications.
Dealer N NS Vul
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5
852
KQ63
KQT95After two passes, South opened 1NT (12-14). West bid 2S!! You may think this is rather optimistic, even eccentric, but is it really that crazy? If we do our maths, West can work out that East has at least a TEN count. Being not vulnerable, what harm can come from overcalling with 2S and maybe (most likely) playing in 2S? Even in 2S doubled, down one will cost only 100. And how many opponents will know what to do? You may say that all opponents should know what to do, but judging by the responses I have received, and what I regularly observe at the club, few of them do, and those who do have some vague agreement, seldom execute it properly anyway. It seems that the penalty double is no longer in existence, even after a 1NT opening. But read on!
When West overcalls with 2S, what should North do? I am staggered that so many of our panel would DOUBLE, which they say is a TAKEOUT double. I shudder at the thought when North has only a very poor three card heart suit, but a perfectly good bid of 3C available, which should simply say to partner “I will play in 3C, please”. Surely, 3C must have a play opposite a 1NT opening? And surely it is NOT a forward going move. Some people play a system that will handle such hands as the North one but the simplest way is to play any bid at the three level as ‘to play’, how can that be difficult? You could of course complicate that by playing such things as Lebensohl, but why not keep it simple? Then, decide what a double means: is it takeout, penalty, or ‘optional’ (whatever that may mean).
That was not all there was to this deal. When North bid 3C, East competed in spades. South was not going to let opponents get away with this, and doubled. South might have been tempted to pass had North doubled West’s 2S overcall (double for takeout), but now that opponents had the nerve to go one level further, South’s hand was far too good not to double. It is an unwritten rule that once you have opened 1NT you have nothing more to say unless asked by partner. Partner is the boss now, but of course there are exceptions to every rule and this one was clear cut. So, South doubles and North is happy to pass and await to see the size of the penalty. However, there is always more to every deal than just the bidding,and now North has to make the opening lead. This also provides an interesting lesson for us.
I have stressed time and again that the lead of a singleton trump is a very bad lead. And that the lead of a king when you have the queen as well is usually a very good and safe lead. So, what would YOU lead as North? When you look at the full deal, the answer will be obvious, so let’s see what some of our panelists say without advance knowledge..
Gerard would lead the king of clubs, hoping to play a ‘forcing’ game. As a start to the defence, I can’t criticise that, but then we have Dean: “Normal advice when you double high contracts on high-card strength grounds is to lead a trump, as they will only score tricks by ruffs. This is starting to get to that level. Second choice, KC”. And Martin: “Beware the cross ruff and lead partner’s suit”. A great ‘two in one’ reason for the trump lead!
A quick analysis tells me that the lead of the trump would result in down three with perfect defence, the lead of either king down two but only if the defence does the obvious once they see dummy and play ace and queen of trumps at the next opportunity. And no trump lead or switch to trumps will spell disaster. Can you imagine how West would crow then? See for yourself by clicking here.
For those who are interested in my simple way to deal with overcalls over our 1NT: Double of a minor is for TAKEOUT, double of a major is PENALTY. We also use that same method when we have doubled 1NT and either the 1NT opener or partner have tried to escape to a suit. Works well for us simple folks.
