The hands were indeed interesting.
On Board 5 I opened 2
with a 4=6=1=2 shape. It was, as you mentioned, in third position and that did influence my willingness to open 2
even though I had four spades. The idea is that we are unlikely to have a game anywhere, 2
should be making most of the time, and it creates interference. Since we are red against white, I like to have a pretty decent suit, and so I have.
You mentioned that at the other table when you were playing this it started 2
- X - 3
, and what should E do. I regard the E hand as worth a 3
call. At any rate, I think passing and then, f W doubles again, jumping to 4
is not what I would do. looking at the E hand I would expect 3
to often make. Suppose I pass. Partner might have a variety of hands, but if I am going to jump to 4
over a second double then I am leaving E with the choice of passing out 3
or playing in 4
. Not good. I just bid 3
over 3
and hope for the best.
At our table, as I recall, it began 2 !h X - Pass - 3
and there was some question about how strong this was. I think W was wondering if they were playing Lebensohl. If so, the 3
shows some values since with a modest hand E would first bid 2NT, a relay to 3
, and then bid 3
.
My choice, after 2
X -Pass-Pass, would be some number of spades. Again Lebensohl is relevant, if it is being played. The choices are 2
, 2NT followed by 3
, or a direct 3
. On high card points it is only worth 2
but it has some nice shape. I imagine 2
is right, but it's at the upper end, I think.
And at our table the contract was 3NT after, I think, 2
X - Pass -3
- Pass - 3NT passed out. There are 8 tricks but not 9. A kib pointed out that I missed an opportunity on defense to make a good falsecard that surely would have worked.
The opening lead was a heart to my T and declarer's K. Declarer played three top clubs from hand and found that they were not splitting. He then led a top spade from hand, partner following with the 5.
So the spade suit was like this at the beginning.
5 played
K led Board has A863, 3 played
I have J942
Presumably that K is from KQT7. If I play low, as I did, declarer next plays the 7 to the A and and then, after my pard shows out, the 6 toward his QT.
But suppose I instead drop the
9 on the first trick. Declarer reasons that if sades are 3-2 then nothing matters, but if by any chance that 9 is a stiff then he can still pick up the suit by next playing the Q and then, when I show out (if I do) he leads toward the A8 on the board. He would be disappointed when I am the one with the four cards, but it would be a very sensible line for him to take.
It's a fun game.