High Fives
This deal was not well handled in either the bidding or play. Let’s just look at the bidding.
Board 2 from 17/07/2019
Dealer E NS Vul
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6
K973
K6
KQJ873There is bound to be competition from both sides, which is why a number of EW pairs got to 4S and an equal number of NS pairs bid to 5C, either voluntarily or after EW had bid to 4S.
After two passes, West opens 1S. What should North do? Most Norths overcalled 2C, but is that the best option? NS are vulnerable against not, so you do need to be careful. North might consider a jump overcall to 3C,which, whether you play ‘intermediate’ or ‘variable’ jump overcalls is not a bad description of North’s hand. North might also consider a takeout double if they are playing strictly ‘major oriented’ doubles, though the shape is not ideal. Let’s say North overcalls in clubs, either 2C or 3C. East will probably pass and South will then bid clubs to 4C. West has such great shape and a really good spade suit and should not be daunted by the NS bidding, and should next bid diamonds, at the four level if South has bid 4C. East should recognise that West’s spades are going to be long and strong, so preferring 4S to 5D will be a better option: one less trick needed and a better score as well..I don’t often recommend to players that they choose a 6-2 fit in preference to a 5-4 but this is one such case.
After East has bid 4S in a competitive auction, the vulnerability should be adverse enough for NS not to look for the sacrifice in 5C, though I did note a number of 5C contracts, some doubled and some not.
There is a saying that ‘the five level belongs to opponents’’ and it is worth remembering. Also worth remembering is that sacrifices should be doubled and not passed out - if you know how o defend! There seemed to be quite a bit of not so good play, by declarers as well as defenders, but this is about bidding. From the play angle, this deal will be covered in my current series “Declare and Defend”. There is a small charge for that, anyone wanting more information can contact me at villyn@xtra.co.nz
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