Ask the Experts Volume 1, Number 5
Lori Leopold of Avon asks, “Matchpoints. We are red and they are white. RHO opens 1♠ in the third seat. I hold the following hand. What do I bid?”
♠K4
♥K
♦A8764
♣AKJ94
Jeff Goldman kicks it off:
I think 2NT to start is pretty easy. If partner will understand that 3NT over partner’s anticipated 3m shows the minors with a spade stopper, I do that. Should show 55 or more in minors and A or Ax or Kx in spades, I’d think. Partner should have a decent idea what to do next
If partner bids something other than 3m, could make a slam with the right cards.
Vul vs not, especially opposite a passed hand, 2NT should show a decent hand.
Rich DeMartino:
2NT seems to be the most descriptive call.
John Stiefel:
No good bid here. 2NT (unusual notrump) is the least bad of all the bad options.
Possible bids:
Pass - too strong for this.
1NT overcall - doesn't describe the hand well enough. Is only right if partner has a balanced 9 or 10 count.
2D - terrible suit.
Double - ruled out due to no heart support.
2C - right strength but rules out what might be our best fit.
2NT - describes my distribution and leaves me prepared to compete with a double if it goes 3S - P - P. Assures us (most likely) of not getting a terrible result and still leaves open the possibility of a good result (e.g. partner jumps to 4D with xxx, xx, Kxxxx, xx).
Larry Bausher:
2NT, the unusual notrump showing both minors. Traditionally used to show a weaker hand, I think it is best to be used weak or strong. Chances are you will have a fit in one of your suits, and this is your best shot at finding it since you can show your hand with one bid. I don't worry about the occasional hand where there is a total misfit and we can be minus some phone number. I don’t double (you don’t want partner bidding hearts, do you?). If they bid a major suit game I will double hoping partner can make the right decision as to whether to play or defend, and hope we beat it if partner passes.
Steve Becker:
I would bid 2NT and then raise my partner's minor suit response to four.
Jeff Horowitz is with the rest of the panel on the 2NT bandwagon.
Moderator:
2NT may not be perfect, but it’s the panel’s unanimous choice.
Now let's move on to round 2. I polled a separate panel of experts to see what pard would bid over 2NT. Pard’s pleasant surprise bid of 4♣ creates the real problem for overcaller on this deal.
John Stiefel:
I settle for 5♣. K of hearts is wasted, so is J of clubs and K of spades may be opposite a singleton.
Jeff Horowitz:
Assuming 2 NT was for the minors I would bid 5♣ over 4♣. Even after a third seat opener there is probably too much work to do to make six.
Larry Bausher and Steve Becker join John and Jeff with 5♣.
Rich DeMartino:
I would bid 4♦, clearly a cue bid.
Jeff Goldman:
At this vulnerability, 2NT bid should be pretty sound. 4♣ is not a weak action. As long as I have trust in my partner, I’ll bid 4♦ which I think is forward going and forcing (agreeing clubs). I already promised at least 5/5 in minors, now I want to hear if partner can cue bid an ace. If they don’t bid 4M, I sign off. If they cue bid, I’ll bid 6♣. What can pard have for 4♣ bid? Must either have diamond fillers or diamond shortness. I’m a little worried they may be able to get a spade ruff.
Moderator:
The two hands were as follows. The 4♣ bid by advancer was the majority choice of the separate panel of experts, with 5♣ running a strong second.
♠K4
♥K
♦A8764
♣AKJ94
♠T65
♥AJ863
♦J
♣QT76
6♣ is a strong favorite to make, but under tournament conditions, it would not be surprising if a significant proportion of even the best pairs failed to reach slam. In a contested auction, when both partners are max for their actions, it is all too easy to stop one level too low.