JEFF
Meckstroth and Marc Smith have written an intriguing and informative
book, ‘Win the Bermuda Bowl With MOe’. Published by Masterpoint Press
in Toronto, it features real hands that Mackstroth has played in the
Bermuda Bowl. The writing style is a novel one. Instead of saying ‘I
bid 6S’, the book will say ‘We bid 6S’, as if Meckstroth and the
reader are in harness and are winning the Bermuda Bowl together. On this
deal Meckstroth arrived in a slam with two top heart lovers. West led
the two of clubs and Meckstroth called for dummy’s jack, hoping to
provoke a cover. It was impossible for the great Paul Chemla to read the
situation and he contributed the king. This allowed declarer to throw a
heart on the clubs and the slam was made. Exactly the same thing
happened at the other table, for a flat board! As you see, even if East
does read the situation and play low the slam will be made. The 4-4
diamond break will allow declarer to throw four heart losers from dummy.
What would you say now on the West cards?
Answer
On the same hand without the ace of hearts you would
want to raise to 3S, in case partner held a good hand and could bid
game. When instead you have a sound raise, as here, you must seek
another bid. The best idea is to respond 3D (the higher of the opponent’s
two suits) to show a sound game-try raise. You can attach what meaning
you like to a response of 3C.
JEFF
Meckstroth and Marc Smith have written an intriguing and informative
book, ‘Win the Bermuda Bowl With MOe’. Published by Masterpoint Press
in Toronto, it features real hands that Mackstroth has played in the
Bermuda Bowl. The writing style is a novel one. Instead of saying ‘I
bid 6S’, the book will say ‘We bid 6S’, as if Meckstroth and the
reader are in harness and are winning the Bermuda Bowl together. On this
deal Meckstroth arrived in a slam with two top heart lovers. West led
the two of clubs and Meckstroth called for dummy’s jack, hoping to
provoke a cover. It was impossible for the great Paul Chemla to read the
situation and he contributed the king. This allowed declarer to throw a
heart on the clubs and the slam was made. Exactly the same thing
happened at the other table, for a flat board! As you see, even if East
does read the situation and play low the slam will be made. The 4-4
diamond break will allow declarer to throw four heart losers from dummy.
On the same hand without the ace of hearts you would
want to raise to 3S, in case partner held a good hand and could bid
game. When instead you have a sound raise, as here, you must seek
another bid. The best idea is to respond 3D (the higher of the opponent’s
two suits) to show a sound game-try raise. You can attach what meaning
you like to a response of 3C.