Your Call 09

This session was played as Swiss Pairs at the Hutt Club, so maybe a direct comparison of results across all of X-Clubs may not reflect how the bidding and play should, or might go. But let’s take a look anyway as there are important lessons to learn if you are going to develop a good understanding as a partnership.

Board 24 from Thursday 9/08/24
Dlr West Nil Vul

	T43 T8762 2 8632
AQJ9852 KJ64 J5		6 AKQ95 AT8 AQT9
	K7 J43 Q9753 K74

West has a potentially excellent hand and opens 1S. East has an even better hand and must immediately be thinking ‘slam’. But no need to rush, and East responds with 2H. What should West bid now? This is where you do need to have a clear understanding with partner, since there are definite alternatives that all make sense:

a) 3D. This should show a better than minimum rebid and create a game forcing situation. West has the worry that he has a void in partner’s heart suit but is nevertheless prepared to bid 4S next, whatever East’s next bid is. This would actually be my first choice.

b) 2S. Is this a pessimistic view of things? Yes and no. Partner might have the barest possible ten count and five hearts, with a singleton spade. 2S might be all there is for EW but on a good day....

c) 3S. Is there any real need to jump to 3S to ensure that game is reached? I don’t believe so, a 2H response over a 1S opening should guarantee that if opener rebids 2S, East will find another bid unless their hand has a singleton or even void in spades and the worst possible ten count. There should, opposite a 2H response, be no room for an invitational rebid in spades.

d) 4S. This makes a good deal of sense, especially at teams scoring and if you and partner have an understanding which says: given your response, I am prepared to have a shot at game in spades. That should be the difference between a 4S rebid and 3S, which should be suggesting a possible slam and a solid spade suit. I prefer AKQJxx but you may agree with partner that it could be AQJ10xx or even KQJT9xx with outside controls (aces and kings, which you can find out about with Roman Key Card).

Next, we will take a look at the play in 6NT and 6S, whichever slam you might have landed in with your very accurate bidding.