I couldn't get anything right yesterday. On the hand below we had a chance to set it and at one point a chance to set it two if I could just get my robotic friend to give me a ruff. I have a little sympathy since the opponents have ten
between them and never bid
, so it might be a bit tough to read my lead as a stiff. Still, he could ask himself why I later made the risky underlead, the
T holding AQJT, ( I did not know pard had five so declarer could have had the stiff K). Trying to get a ruff seems like an explanation.
Anyway, here's the hand.
http://tinyurl.com/y5fj29xvAfter 1
- (Pass) - 1
- (1
) I had options. Had it started 1
- (Pass) - 1
- (Pass) then yes, I was going to bid 4
. After the
overcall I decided on 2
. Both clubs and spades are of interest, I have a stiff in
and an !A in
. Of course 2
does not show an ace, but then when I later bid 4
it seems that it should show an A, or at least Kx. I must have some reason to first bid 2 !s and then 4
instead of just 4
, it seems like a slam try and with xx in
, after they bid 1
, I would not bid 2
and then 4
.
That was my thinking. Oh well.
Had I bid 4
partner, bless his little robotic heart, would have been stunned since he has only two
. But now he realizes the opponents have ten
and at least one oft them has bid
, so we must have a lot of red cards and that makes his two red kings very valuable.
There was still a third option, I could bid 4
. In Bridge World Standard that shows 6+
, 4
, and good suits. And, after the 1
overcall, there could be a reasonable inference that I have a stiff
since if I had a stiff
I probably, after the overcall, would regard that as important and bid 3
.
I am pretty sure the bots play this way as well, that 4
would show 4
to go with my long
.
What, if anything, would get us to 6
. Maybe the 4
bid, although it's far from certain. If, over 4
, now trusts that we have a lot of red cards, he might decide to do something other than 4 !h, namely 4
. This would be Last Train, I think, but that might encourage me just enough to then bid 4
and maybe we get there. That's "might", not "will".
Had I bid 4 !d over 1
of course partner does not know of my
A and will just bid 4
. I doubt that I would be moving after that.
I think as it was, I probably need to bid 5
over their 4
. There is just too much shape, even if I don't know about their 10 card
fit. Still, 4
should go down after the !c lead.
I might see how the bots do over a 4
splinter, and also over a jump to 4
. I'll be surprised if they get to slam. But at least if I splinter, and probably if I bid 4
, and then we play 4
X, I'll get my ruff. Pard will work it out.
This was an interesting hand. I have never discussed 1
- 1
- 4
with any partner, but I guess I should. And having it on over a 1
overcall seems right.