W
would pass, N would open 1 ♦️, E pass and S should bid 2 ♣️. The reason for 2 ♣️ is that it shows 11+ points,
promises another bid and shows at least 4 ♣️. N would rebid 2NT and S
should raise to 3 NT. E does not have the values to bid 1 ♠️, but if she should bid, you could now bid 2 for ♦️ depending on your agreements. N would probably put your
hand in 3 NT!
Hope
this helps.
Glenna
On the basis of the question asked I am going to make the assumption that the first six calls (beginning with South) have been: 1D - P - 2C - P - 2NT - P. At this point I see North with three possible calls: 3C or 3NT or Pass.
The safest call (think Team competition) is 3C. South can now opt to either Pass or take the contract back to a more risky NT contract now at game level. Not knowing about the diamond fit or about the 7th club, South might very well Pass, especially in a Team game.
In Pairs competition NT is very tempting. Given that they know about the diamond fit & also about the 7th club, if North decides to opt for the more aggressive NT contract an argument could be made that they should raise to 3NT not Pass. If 2NT can make, there is a reasonable chance that 3NT can make as well.
Verses a NT contract, I would
expect West to lead a low heart. With a heart, lead South deserves to make 6NT
(1 heart + 7 clubs + 4 diamonds).
There is no simple answer to the question you pose.
Many experienced players will frequently opt for NT because of the extra 10 points for the first trick. But that depends on the exact nature of the hand - if you do not make your contract, the extra 10 points for the first trick is of little value. It also depends on whether it is match point or team competition. In team competition the primary goal is to play in the safer contract.
I encourage less experienced players to do the opposite & choose the major over NT. That is providing, of course, they know they have a golden fit. Generally speaking, suit contracts are easier to play than NT contracts.
The question with respect to the above hand is whether EW knew they had a golden fit or not. Did the 3S bid by east promise a 5 card suit? Holding the East hand, I would have bid spades on my first chance to call, then diamonds next. That would have pretty much guaranteed a 5-card spade suit.
Holding the West hand,
knowing there is a golden fit, & considering myself a relatively
inexperienced player, I would opt to play in 4S. Actually, even at my level of
experience I "always" opt to play in the suit contract, if I know
partner & I have a golden fit.
A 2NT bid to partner’s 1 NT shows 8 or 9. 10 - 15 you should bid 3 NT and 16 or
more, bid 4NT. These categories are the same if there is interference or not
Partner
opens 1Nt and next player passes, you pass with 0-7, bid 2NT or Stayman with 8
or 9 and bid 3NT(without a 4-card major) or Stayman with a 4-card Major and use
transfers whenever possible.
It’s really important to talk to partner about how to handle
interference, Some people use stolen bids to help with their auction and others
just bid naturally.
Once
you decide which system you are going to use, I can help you learn how to
find the correct spot,
Glenna
Question:
How do you know to go to game rather than part score. West has 10
points. Should the bid have been 3S instead of 2S?
A first call by West (Responder) of 3S would have been a Limit Raise. Different partners have different agreements for how strong a Limit Raise should be. Common agreements include: 10-11 pts 11-12 pts 10-12 pts. My regular partners & I opt for 10-12 pts with two stipulations.
Stipulation One: Ten point Limit Raises should ideally feature a "strong" ten points. If not strong, Responder should make only a Simple Raise to 2S.
Stipulation Two: Twelve point Limit Raises should ideally feature a "weak" twelve points. If not weak, Responder should force to game in spades.
How does one decide whether a point count number is "strong" or "weak"? Two good criteria for making that decision are Quick Tricks & Loser Count. The West hand has 1.5 Quick Tricks which is compatible with a Limit Raise. The West hand has 8 Losers which is also compatible with a Limit Raise. Aggressive (but not reckless) is good strategy in Duplicate Bridge. I would encourage West to make a first call Limit Raise of 3S.
Opener (East) has a stronger
than Standard opening hand (17 HCPs) with 3.5 Quick Tricks. Their second call
of 3S tells Responder they are stronger than Standard & invites Responder
to continue to game if they are at or near the top of the point count promised
by the Simple Raise to 2S. Now Responder should definitely "look for an
excuse to bid - not an excuse to Pass" & continue to game.
The problem with this hand is that E did not recognize W’s Reverse. A reverse
promises 17 or more points and shows the 1st suit is one card longer than the
2nd suit. The entire table should know what W has at least 5 ♣️ and 4 ♥️, East MUST bid again
and would most likely bid 2 NT with his 10 points. West would then bid 3 ♥️ showing that he has 6 ♣️ and 5 ♥️ so E has a really easy bid of 4 ♥️,
If we ever get our Youtube up and running, I’d like to do a class on a reverse.
It’s a great tool to have in your toolbox and sometimes allows an easy path to
game or slam.
Hope this short explanation helps,
Glenna
