Question:
N/S have a fit in Clubs should they advance the bid in clubs
or go to NT?
Vic:
Answer: It depends. On
what? On whether NS are able to rate the quality of their opponents.
Scenario One: Opponents
are Experienced Players
South has only 7 HCPs. By
rebidding clubs at the lowest available level, North has promised six clubs,
but only a standard opening point count (no extra values). Be that the case,
South has no reason to believe game is in the cards. Vulnerable, & facing
experienced defenders, South should be hesitant to advance the auction any
further. South should Pass 2C.
Actually, North does have
extra values (16 HCPs + 2 Length Points), but they denied that with their
second bid.
Scenario: Opponents are
Inexperienced Players
South has reason to believe
they might have six tricks in clubs. Their diamond Ace makes it seven. Two more
tricks is enough for game in NT. Less than stellar defense could conceivably
help NS get the two additional tricks they need. Facing inexperienced defenders,
an aggressive South might opt to oversell their hand a bit by raising to 3C.
Holding the North hand, my
next bid would be 3S, promising a spade stopper & inviting South to go to
3NT if South has a heart stopper. A South aggressive enough to have bid 3C
might also be aggressive enough to bid 3NT.
In general, bridge is a game
that favors aggressive (but not reckless) play. But the line between
aggressive & reckless can be pretty blurry sometimes.
Turns out NS deserve to take
nine tricks in Clubs. But good defense will hold them to eight tricks in NT.
Ain't bridge a great game?
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