Many players would
pass on that South hand. There are 12 points, yes, but a full nine
losers once you have added an extra loser for no aces. Behind in a
match in the National Open Teams in Canberra, the Australian expert
Tim Bourke decided to open a 12-14 point 1NT. West overcalled 2C,
which showed clubs and another suit. How would you play the eventual
contract of 3NT when West leads the ten of clubs and East follows with
the four? Bourke won in his hand with the queen of clubs and played
the queen and ace of hearts, West throwing a spade on the second
round. Declarer had eight tricks and could finesse in either spades or
diamonds to seek a ninth trick. If he planned to do this, he might as
well combine his chances by playing to drop the queen in one suit
before finessing in the other. Bourke spotted a better chance - that
West held no more than five clubs. At Trick 4 he exited with a club.
West was able to score four tricks in the club suit but he then had to
lead into one of South’s king-jack tenaces and nine tricks were
made. The play was similar at the other table, as it happened, and no
swing resulted.
Answer
You have enough for
game and no idea which will be best. It could be 4S, 4H, 5C or 3NT.
Such a situation is tailor-made for a bid in the fourth suit, 2D here.
When you have further information you will be able to tell which game
is best. Partner might show you delayed spade support, for example, or
bid notrumps with a stopper in diamonds. Rebids such as 3H and 3S by
you are non-forcing limit bids.
Many players would
pass on that South hand. There are 12 points, yes, but a full nine
losers once you have added an extra loser for no aces. Behind in a
match in the National Open Teams in Canberra, the Australian expert
Tim Bourke decided to open a 12-14 point 1NT. West overcalled 2C,
which showed clubs and another suit. How would you play the eventual
contract of 3NT when West leads the ten of clubs and East follows with
the four? Bourke won in his hand with the queen of clubs and played
the queen and ace of hearts, West throwing a spade on the second
round. Declarer had eight tricks and could finesse in either spades or
diamonds to seek a ninth trick. If he planned to do this, he might as
well combine his chances by playing to drop the queen in one suit
before finessing in the other. Bourke spotted a better chance - that
West held no more than five clubs. At Trick 4 he exited with a club.
West was able to score four tricks in the club suit but he then had to
lead into one of South’s king-jack tenaces and nine tricks were
made. The play was similar at the other table, as it happened, and no
swing resulted.
You have enough for
game and no idea which will be best. It could be 4S, 4H, 5C or 3NT.
Such a situation is tailor-made for a bid in the fourth suit, 2D here.
When you have further information you will be able to tell which game
is best. Partner might show you delayed spade support, for example, or
bid notrumps with a stopper in diamonds. Rebids such as 3H and 3S by
you are non-forcing limit bids.