Club game, matchpoints, everyone vulnerable, partner deals and opens 1NT, 15-17. Pass on your right. You hold
AQ97
T98432
52
8
I imagine everyone would bid either 2
Stayman or 2
transfer.
Perhaps agreements matter. With this particular partner, the auction 1NT - 2
- 2
- 2
would show invitational strength with at least four spade and more hearts than spades. There are pluses and minuses to this agreement, but it was what we were playing.
Here was our auction:
1NT Pass 2
Pass
2
Pass Pass 2NT (minor suit take-out)
Pass 3
Pass Pass
Pass
I can imagine others choosing differently, the actual results were all over the place. Now you have to, or on this auction I had to, find a lead.
Your choice?
One interesting feature of this hand: The hand records give a par result, the result that everyone would reach if all four hands were seen. Of the many results at the table, not one of them was the par result.
This was mps but you can of course also consider your choices at imps.
This is a club game, but your opponents are certainly a capable pair.