X-Clubs Play_03

The following problem came up recently in a match point session. Here is your hand (South)

Dealer South NS Vul

AKJ9

AQ64

874

62

This is the first question I asked my small panel of Open players:
If you were playing basic Acol, would you open 1NT or something else if
a) playing match points
b) playing teams?

The next question was: If you open 1NT and partner bids 2D (transfer) would you bid 2H or 3H (a super accept) and would it make any difference if it was match points or teams?

Almost unanimously, the panel would open 1NT.

And also, almost unanimously, all would bid 3H when North bids 2D, though at match points they might consider a more conservative approach. What are the chances that NS will miss a game, even given that they do have a 5-4 heart fit. As against that, what are the chances that if North passes 3H, that may fail.

I believe that in a teams match, the game is worth looking for and the ‘super accept’ is a must. But I also believe that a ONE HEART opening, given that you’re playing Acol, is much more sensible than 1NT. Why? Even though the 1NT opening may be more preemptive than 1H, if you open 1NT and the values are for a part score, the most productive part sore is likely to be 2H or 2S and not 1NT. Why not upgrade this hand by just ONE point and open 1H? If there is a fit in either major, the hand will play much better in 2H or 2S, and that should not matter whether you are playing match points or teams.

Now let me reveal the North hand as it was at the time:

T3

KJ872

6

J9843

If South opens 1NT ad makes a super accept of 3H, how likely is it that North will go to game? At teams, perhaps, at match points, unlikely. But what would North bid when South opens 1H? Probably the full value of the hand, 3H, which may or may not be passed at match points but surely be raised to game by opener?

Finally, give North one less heart and one more spade, and sit back and enjoy the defence against 1NT. I rest my case.

If you are an Open grade player and would like to join my panel please email me at villyn@xtra.co.nz