South has a barren 20- count with few intermediates (tens and nines). It is the sort of hand where some players would open just 1H or 1D, to keep the bidding low when partner has a bust. South decided to open 2NT, however, and partner raised to 3NT. The point in the play concerns West’s defence, so take the West cards and see how you fare. Declarer wins your queen of hearts lead with the ace and plays the jack of clubs. How will you defend? At the table West covered with the king of clubs and this card was allowed to
win. Declarer won the jack of hearts continuation and played the seven of clubs, finessing dummy’s ten. Had the finesse lost, it would have been an expensive outing. No, East followed with a low club and declarer could then claim ten tricks. Did you spot how to beat the contract? When the jack of clubs is led, West should play the nine. The jack would win the trick but West’s remaining king-queen would prevent declarer from enjoying more than two club tricks. Declarer could bump his total to eight by setting up a long diamond but a ninth trick would be beyond him. Suppose instead that West held K-x-x in the club suit, with East holding Q-x.
When the club jack was run to East, he would have to let it win. If instead he took the trick with the queen declarer would again enjoy five club tricks.
Answer
With 4-3-3-3 shape there is little purpose in bidding Stayman, looking for a heart fit. The best response is a limit bid of 4NT. This is non-forcing and asks partner to advance to 6NT if he is nonminimum. He may also bid five or six of a minor if he holds a five-card suit. (If you do start with 2C, hearing 2S or 2D, you should continue with 4NT, which is still a limit bid.) A Gerber response would not help you to judge slam prospects at all.
AWARDS:3NT (limit)-10, 2C-8, 3NT/6NT-5, 4C (Gerber)-2.
South has a barren 20- count with few intermediates (tens and nines). It is the sort of hand where some players would open just 1H or 1D, to keep the bidding low when partner has a bust. South decided to open 2NT, however, and partner raised to 3NT. The point in the play concerns West’s defence, so take the West cards and see how you fare. Declarer wins your queen of hearts lead with the ace and plays the jack of clubs. How will you defend? At the table West covered with the king of clubs and this card was allowed to
win. Declarer won the jack of hearts continuation and played the seven of clubs, finessing dummy’s ten. Had the finesse lost, it would have been an expensive outing. No, East followed with a low club and declarer could then claim ten tricks. Did you spot how to beat the contract? When the jack of clubs is led, West should play the nine. The jack would win the trick but West’s remaining king-queen would prevent declarer from enjoying more than two club tricks. Declarer could bump his total to eight by setting up a long diamond but a ninth trick would be beyond him. Suppose instead that West held K-x-x in the club suit, with East holding Q-x.
When the club jack was run to East, he would have to let it win. If instead he took the trick with the queen declarer would again enjoy five club tricks.
With 4-3-3-3 shape there is little purpose in bidding Stayman, looking for a heart fit. The best response is a limit bid of 4NT. This is non-forcing and asks partner to advance to 6NT if he is nonminimum. He may also bid five or six of a minor if he holds a five-card suit. (If you do start with 2C, hearing 2S or 2D, you should continue with 4NT, which is still a limit bid.) A Gerber response would not help you to judge slam prospects at all.