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The obvious action?

I rather thought the solution to today's problem would be universal.  It was not at the table. Indeed, it was not even to all members of our Panel though there was a universal decision that some action was required. So, would you end up defending 4 with the above West cards?In practice, many did.

 

3 promises at least and normally 4 spades and 10-11 hcp. Your bid? Teams.

For the majority, we had:

Michael Cornell “4NT:  I know my clubs are better but if partner has longer diamonds that is where I want to be. Too easy?”

Julie Atkinson “4NT: Pick a minor. Should be 5/5 -6/5. At this vulnerability it shows a hand with enough value to expect to make.”

Reaffirming why 4NT is not an ace ask:

Peter Newell “4NT: Minors. Gets my hand across and it looks like 5 of a minor will make or be a good dive, and has some pre-emptive value.  4NT cannot be asking for aces in an auction where everyone is showing values, no suits have been agreed.

However, a minority point of view is expressed by:
Andy Braithwaite “4: pick a minor for me or at least showing 2 suits (4NT may be key card for hearts depending on partnership agreement).”

Bruce Anderson “4NT: must be showing both minors as we have not agreed a suit. Game in our best fit is a real possibility, with slam a chance if partner has a high heart, AJxx and K, with K onside.”

Stephen Blackstock “4NT: Pick a minor and with equal length we will play clubs. Almost good enough for 4, minors with spade control, but that is perhaps not prudent when the auction suggests that everyone is minimum. I expect 5 of a minor to have a play, but as it sounds as if N/S have a lot of spades, we will often defend 5x.

However, emphasizing the length of their club suit are:

Kris Wooles “5: A practical bid, the one I would make at the table.”

Nigel Kearney “5: 4NT may get us to a better trump fit or protect partner's heart holding from the opening lead. But they'll probably lead a spade and nobody seems to have any high card points to spare and a double with minimum values will have at least three clubs. The main advantage of 5 is to help partner with the lead if they continue to 5. A secondary advantage is to deny them extra opportunities to call.”

It is certainly very aggravating as a defender to lead the ace of your long suit and see Kx or Kxx in dummy with declarer ruffing. That would not happen if you suggest a club lead. Yet, would the opposition have gone on to 5? Let’s see:

 

Well, North and South knows their side has at least a 10-card though neither will realise they have an 11-card fit, reducing the chance of a 5 bid. The South hand does not really suggest that 5 is a winning action even if they have one spade more than advertised.

As is so often the case, bidding over the opponents’ 5 level contract is wrong and that is why this is a good model hand. At the table, many East-Wests sold out to 4 and that clearly is wrong. If you are going to the 5-level,then East-West are better to go there quickly to leave their opponents the last awkward guess. Both 4NT and 5 have their advantages as the action to take. This time, both bids lead East-West to 5.

5 cannot make and nor should 5. Such decisions are tough as is whether North-South should take insurance by going 5. Follow the guidelines:

"Go where you are going as quickly as you can"

"The 5 Level belongs to your opponents"

and you should be right most of the time…and when you are not, you should be in good company!

 

Short and Sweet

 

Your partner is only going to ask you one question about your hand before placing the final contract. What do you think that question is and why?

Richard Solomon

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