Question:
N/S have a combined 29 hcp but they stopped
short of game. How could they have gotten to game?
Mark:
Both partners need to be aware of the number of points
required for game, slam or even a relatively safe level of part- score below
game.
Let's look at what North should do after South
responds 1 heart. Ask yourself how many points does the partnership have?
South will have a minimum of 5 or 6 points, but could have many, many more.
North has a wonderful 17, really 18 or 19 opposite 4 or more hearts. Is it
enough for game if South has the absolute minimum? It's close, but
slightly against the odds. Give South the slightest extra point or two and game
is very high probability. The way to let South know that is for North to bid 3
hearts. South would surely accept and go to 4. Some players would go
straight to 4 hearts, but that's a bit aggressive. In any case, bidding
only 2 hearts is a mistake.
Now, to what should South do after North bids 2
hearts. Ask yourself how many points does the partnership have and how many are
needed for game? South has 12 wonderful points, which re- value to 13 or 14
once you learn partner has a heart fit with you. Most players would go straight
to 4 hearts after North bids 2. North has promised between 12 and 15 points.
This adds up to at least 25 points. If South bids only 3 hearts, inviting game
if North has more than a minimum, it's extremely cautious, but it's a clear
mistake to pass.
Ironically, some aggressive bidders might get to
slam. If the hearts break 3-2 (a 67% probability) you can very likely make 6
hearts. N-S are lucky that they beat the score of those who bid slam.
In summary, both partners made mistakes of
undervaluing their hands and failing to add the total points of the
partnerships and bidding accordingly.
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