Weekly Hand Analysis - Victor Johnson - August 16, 2021- Responder 2nd bid - clubs or spades?

 

Question: We underbid this hand, it made 5 C. Responder indicated less than 10 hcp and 4 D, should declarer bid 3 C instead of 2 or were the extra tricks just a matter of good fit?

Vic:

A jump to 3C on their second call would promise at least a 16 point hand. So no, declarer should not have bid 3C. They should not have bid 2C either.  

What Declarer should bid on their second call is 1S. it is more important for West to look for a 4-4 spade fit than to tell East about their 6-card club suit.  

There are 3 suits in bridge (spades - hearts - no trump). Clubs are for the golf course. Diamonds are for your finger. It is surprising how long it takes new bridge players to focus on that reality. 

Bidding spades bid at the one level would not be a reverse. It would promise only a standard opening hand. 

Turns out Responder does have 4 spades & EW should be in a spade contract rather than a club contract. 

Given their respective point counts, I don’t imagine many EW bidding to game, especially in clubs which requires taking 11 tricks. It is a reasonably lucky combination of distribution & honor card location that makes it possible for EW to make game. Having 3 clubs, including both the King & Jack, in the south hand is especially fortunate for an EW Declarer & unfortunate for the defenders.