Weekly Hand Analysis - Vic Johnson - August 7, 2023 - Jump

Question:  Instead of 1S should West have jumped the bid?  If so how high should West have gone on the first bid?

Vic:

Good Calls

West (Advancer in the auction as given above) was correct to bid 1S. A common partnership agreement is that a new suit by Advancer in not forcing.  So the subsequent Pass by East was also correct. 

 A common partnership agreement is that a jump shift in competition (2S by West over 1D) would be weak, promising six spades, but less than an opening hand. A jump shift to 3S would also be weak, promising seven spades. So no, West should not have jumped the bid.

 Bad Bid

Shame on East big time for overcalling 1D with their pitiful suit & hand. 

 One purpose of an overcall is to compete for the contract. An overcall holding less than an opening hand should promise a solid suit. Ya think South might be quivering with excitement at the thought of EW landing in a diamond contract? I would be if I was South.

 Another purpose of an overcall is to interfere with Opponent's auction by using up bidding space. Wow, East certainly used up a lot of bidding space, did they not. No gold star award for that one.

A third purpose of an overcall is to suggest an opening lead to partner should the two of you end up defending with partner on lead. I would be embarrassed to encourage partner to lead a suit in which Jack was my highest honor. Keeping score? East is zero for three.

Timid No Bid

 Given that North decided they had a hand good enough to open in 1st seat (I agree), I fault them for being too timid to rebid clubs on their 2nd chance to call to tell partner about their 6-card suit.

Vic Does Auction

 1C     P     1D     1S     2C     P     P     2S     P     P     P

 West deserves to take nine tricks playing in a spade contract. The best NS deserve is to take seven tricks in clubs.

 Ain't bridge a great game?