A huge two suiter by TR

 

The following hand cropped up during Wednesday's BGBsimultaneous pairs.

 

                                                S AQ765

                                                H 9843

                                                D Q73

                                                C Q

 

S J3                                                                                         S 8

H                                                                                             H AQJT62

D AKT8652                                                                            D

C K843                                                                                  C A97562

                       

                                                S KT942

                                                H K75

                                                D J94

                                                C JT

 

Love all. Dealer South.

 

At our table the bidding went:

 

South              West               North              East

Pass                1D                   1S                   2H

2S                   3D                   3S                   Pass!

4D                   End

 

Not the best bidding I think you will admit and 11 tricks were made. Surely however East should find the time to mention her six card club suit and realise that after partner's opening bid there must be a game worth playing for somewhere?  As you can see 4H, 6Cand 5D are all available.

 

I would also point out that North/South could have competed harder than they did. If I had been South I would have certainly bid either 3S or even 4Sfollowing partner's 1S overcall.  I doubt if 3S would be doubled for penalties, maybe 4S would be but both would make it more difficult for E/W. Would Westbid 4C or 4D after 3S from South?  Who knows but the art of defence is making life as difficult as possible for the opponents by using as much bidding space as possible reducing the opposition's choices to more of a guess at the final contract.

 

My preferred bidding sequence?

 

South              West               North              East

Pass                1D                   1S                   2H

3S                   Pass                Pass                4C

5C                   End although many would take a punt on 6Cand on this occasion they would be successful.