Thoughts (increasingly lengthy ones)
A. 3C.
B. 3N. We have a double fit and N could have a strong hand and/or 55xx. Apart from being a slam try, this gives N a chance to cue 4C. I can’t as N is declarer. If 4C comes, we’ve gone from mild to very interested.
C. 2C. When I have to lie a little, I prefer not to mislead partner about a major or a reverse – since each of those can spark enthusiasm. On the other hand, we are vulnerable and don’t want to miss a thin game. So, should I bid 2D and then (whether N bids 3D or 2H), bash out 3N, dreaming about getting a S lead and 7 top tricks in my hand alone? If we’re struggling and need the IMPs, I’d bid 2D.
D. 2C. A hand which shows the importance of clear agreements. What does “2C is forcing to two hearts” mean? Surely not a H raise, as other bids are available for that. If it simply means 2C is a forcing bid and natural, I want to bid 2C and then bid NT later to show the S stop. Grr … 2C looks to be the ‘right’ bid, and I would have had no hesitation in making it if the explanation of 2C had been excluded. I am too strong for a pre-empt, so the alternative is 1N. That’s dangerously wimpish (all my 10 HCP are working and JT9 is worth more than 1 HCP in NT), but 2N seems to be an invitational raise in H. I’ll bid 2C – at least N will not pass that.
E. 1N. How important is the weak S suit to this hand? My granny used to say suits like this were only good as trumps, and she would show them (either by 1S or x then S). But a 5c holding stops the suit (and p rates have 1 of the missing honours). I’ll show the 16-point balanced hand. Partner may be a bust, and I could end up playing there, hoping that S are 3-3 and with four fingers crossed for fortune in both the minors to avoid the dreaded -200. In that case my granny would be doing better. However, it might be W that is bust, in which case we’ll finish in 4H (making) or 3N (making because N has a S honour!)
F. x. I confess a 4N bid in this situation showing two places to play entrances me, having seen it work so many times on vugraph. But I might have to ignore the siren-calls because I have a third place to play if partner has 5 cards in spades. N could be 5(Axxxx)242/5224 – a suit too weak to overcall 4S – and, besides, N knows I must have at least 2 places to play. If I x here, N knows I have not got 4 cards in spades (otherwise I would bid 4S). If he has 5 cards in spades, he can bid 4S knowing that, if I have only 2 cards in S, we can bang out into a minor fit. So, I will x and we’ll make 4S in a 53 fit. The sirens will scream at me if the panel chooses 4N. Now, a little imp is whispering to me “pass is the right bid here – take ‘em down for a plus score, ‘cos 5D is one off” but that’s the voice of the devil.
G. (a) We have game but which one – 4H (if p has 6 cards in hearts), 5D or 3N (if he doesn’t). We might have slam in H or D. Our 9 top tricks in NT could disappear as they club us to death. I can see the attraction of (b4) from that perspective, but would be tongue-tied when opponents, quickly followed by the Director, asked me for an explanation of my 3C bid. (b5 3D) looks too weak for my hand, as partner with 6 HCP may well pass. A 2N opening, shows my strength and gives N a chance to use Texas, and N can then pursue a H slam. N could also convert (b6 3N) to 4H if he has 6 hearts. The advantage of the former is that if N shows only 4 or 5 cards in hearts (2N – [3D – 3H/3C- 3D] – 3N) I get a chance to make a 4D slam try bid. I don’t get that option with (b6). After (b3) N could bid 4H with 6 cards in the suit and 3N with fewer, which again gives me the chance to think about making a slam try with 4D. However, with (b3) if N has 6 cards in hearts, his route to testing for a H slam is perhaps murky (1D – 1H – 2N – 4N?). A 2N opening makes H and D slam tries clearer. If N rejects a 4D slam try with a 4N bid, I will convert that to 5D. It seems I’ve talked my way into a 6H, 6D or 5D contract … as well as putting any readers to sleep [Ed: that happened 4 hands ago].
H. QH. I’m a big fan of Kantar and lead from the top of near-perfect sequences (2 touching honours then a space skipped). Last year there was one quiz where leading Q from QJ942 was marked down in favour of 4th highest. But I can’t change a habit ‘cos of a bidding quiz - consistency is the key to partner’s confidence.