Hands sometimes have a surprise. Two examples, both from plating with the bots.
Matchpoints, nobody vul, lho is the dealer and passes, partner opens 1
, the auction is uncontested, you hold
Q32
Q6
AK974
K65
This is one of those robot "best hand" tourneys where I am assured that I get the best hand, whatever that means exactly. So it is tempting to just bid 3
on the assumption that if I have the best hand then 6
seems unlikely. But I decided to play it straight so we begin (uncontested) 1
- 2
- 2
.
Well, 2
seems right. What have I done, partner bids 4NT. I show my one key with 5
and partner signs off in 5
.
1
- 2
- 2
- 2
- 4NT - 5
- 5
- Pass
The opening lead is the
5 from E and the software puts me in the N seat. I will put the N cards at the bottom, as usual for declarer.
Q32
Q6
AK974
K65
AT97654
AK94
83
void
I play the Q from the board and lead a small
. Rho plays the J, I play the A, Lho follows with the 8 and I can claim 12 tricks.
35%
So we should get to 6, but how? Sample hand for 6
.
1
- 2
- 2
- 4
- 5
- 6
.
As I interpret this, the 4
by others, rather than the 2
by me, indicated a hand with not much of value in
. Partner, the bot, decided that's great to hear, and showed his
void. Now my hand says "Well, if pard is interested that's enough for me, I bid 6
"
I can see the attraction, but I do have the !c K, I am not so sure I would jump t 4
next time either.
Ok, here is another, this time good. Very lucky, but good is good.
Matchpoints again, nobody vul, three passes to me:
AKQ2
K6
AJ9
KT84
Ok, I had had dinner, I had watched tv, I was tired, I should not have been playing, this is the last of 8 boards on a best hand tourney with the bots.
I decided to open this 1
, planning to rebid 2
. Not really a good idea, but it's what I did. After my 1
opening there were three passes. The opening lead is the
J:
T653
A73
T63
J75
AKQ2
K6
AJ9
KT84
Uh oh. Except I made two overtricks. After a 2NT opening the contract was 4
which can in fact be made but it is pretty double dummy to take ten tricks.
94%
I am not, repeat not, advising 1
opening on this hand. Although I do think it would have been Goren's choice. Either that or 1
. Goren was fine with opening a four card major but with strong hands he sometimes would start with the minor.
To quote Fats Waller, one never knows, does one.