Jim presented a number of hands yesterday, I played three of them. He said he took some or all of the hands from play where there was a swing, so there would be choices to be made. This seems like a good idea.
I'll give you one of my hands and say a bit about where I was uncertain. I unfortunately did not same the hands so I have to go with my memory. And if I am a little off, still the hand is interesting.
Shape: 6=3=0=4, decent values.
QJxxxx
AQx
void
AKxx but maybe it was AKTx, I'm not sure.
I deal and open 1
, partner bids 2
, opponents pass throughout.
I suppose I could splinter but I like to have four card support for that. Anyway, I bid 3
Partner bids 4
.
Hmm. I'm not sure I like this.
1
2
3
4
We will be playing in some number of hearts, but how many and how do we decide. On my end I see two or maybe three problems. The 4
cue is opposite my void, so we have some duplication. So the hands are good, but not great together. Also, the opponents might well be able to cash two spades. And, finally, I know I have the
A and Q but partner doesn't.
I do not think it is clear just how to handle all of this.
I decided to bid 5
. So I did not bid 4
, presumably a cue, and I did not bid 4NT rkc, but I did cue clubs, so pard might well see that I am worried about spades. I figured if he now to bid 5
I would take the bull by the horns and bid 6
. He bid 5
and I passed.
Was this ok? Actually, maybe so. As I recall, Gib says 6
makes, but Gib gets to look at all the hands. So I am not sure we should be in 6, and if we should be in 6 I am not so sure what the best route is.
So now I will give you both hands.Again I am not exactly sure. Partner had a 0=5=5=3 shape, I believe the hearts were KJxx and I believe the clubs were Jxx. Let's go with that.
QJxxxx
AQx
Void
AKxx
Void
KJxxx
AKQxx
Jxx
That
J is starting to look very important. One route to 12 tricks is via two ruffs in dummy, after which you draw trump using the A and the KJ. Hope the hearts are 3-2. Even then it could go wrong on the lead of, say, the !ST. TJK ruff. Now what? You can ruff one diamond but if you ruff back to hand you are down to three trump. If you ruff another diamond, cash the high trump and ruff back to hand you have lost control. You have one high trump left but the opponents have three trump.
If dummy (my hand) has AKTx of clubs that gives another option. Now we have three clubs even if the finesse loses, so one diamond ruff probably suffices. There could be some transportation issues.
So: A void opposite a strong suit is often a problem, as I think it is here, both in the bidding and the play. As mentioned, I think Gib could see 12 tricks. By peeking.
Anyway, I found this to be an interesting hand. I think Jim's idea of presenting hands where, at the original table, reasonable people made varying choices is a good one. I was uncertain of the best choice so I have no problem with someone who would choose differently.
Added: Another way to phrase this:
With
QJxxxx
AQx
Void
AKTx
Void
KJxxx
AKQxx
Jxx
I surely want to be in slam.
With
QJxxxx
AQx
Void
AKxx
Void
Kxxxx
AKQxx
Jxx
I think I don't want to be in slam. Tough to sort these two out in the bidding.