Club News Sheet – No. 232 www.pattayabridge.com 15^th April 2007

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My home phone is 038 422924 and my mobile number is 086 6089887

It is best to use my home number to contact me unless I am at the bridge club.

Mon 9^th 1^st N-S Albert & Dennis 56% 2^nd Kjell & Tyrone 55%

1^st E-W Janne & Lasse 64% 2^nd Derek & Gerard 50%

Wed 11^th 1^st N-S Paul K & Sean 59% 2^nd Gene & Mike 59%

1^st E-W Kenneth & Terry 61% 2^nd Dave & Paul W 56%

Fri 13^th 1^st Jeremy & Koch 61% 2^nd Jim & Terry 59%

Bidding Quiz Standard American is assumed unless otherwise stated.

Hand A Hand B With Hand A partner opens 1♥, what do you bid?

♠ 543 ♠ A1097 With Hand B partner opens 1♦, you bid 1♥ and partner bids 2♣.

♥ KJ76 ♥ AJ109752 (a) What do you bid?

♦ A ♦ Q (b) What do you bid if RHO doubles the 2♣ bid?

♣ K7632 ♣ J

Hand C Hand D What do you open with Hand C?

♠ J1054 ♠ KQ

♥ AK9852 ♥ A10954 With Hand D it is unfavourable vulnerability. You open 1♥,

♦ 963 ♦ K753 partner responds 2♣ and RHO comes in with 3♠. What do you do?

♣ - ♣ A8

Hand E Hand F With Hand E LHO opens 1NT and RHO transfers with 2♦.

♠ 7542 ♠ Q9 What do you do?

♥ J7 ♥ K

♦ J8742 ♦ AKQJ1053 (a) What do you open with Hand F?

♣ A7 ♣ 532 (b) Suppose you open 1♦ and partner bids 1♠, what do you do?

Bidding Sequences Quiz All of these sequences occurred this week

G 2♥ pass 4♥ dbl What is the dbl – take-out or penalty?

H 2♥ pass 4♥ pass What is the dbl – take-out or penalty?

pass dbl

J 1♥ pass 1NT pass What is the dbl – take-out or penalty?

2♣ pass pass dbl

Editorial

Bridge during Soncran

The important days for Soncran this year are Wed 18^th for Naklua and Thu 19^th for Pattaya. It is only the Pattaya day that’s a problem and as that’s Thursday all bridge is as normal during Soncran. On Wednesday the traffic will be a bit busy and you will get a wet if on a motorbike or baht bus. Thursday will be absolute chaos – stay at home.

Play in the 4-4 fit Board 23 from Monday 9^th

The good 4-4 fit is usually best: -

Dealer: ♠ KQJ986 Table A

East ♥ AQ87 West North East South

E-W vul ♦ 8 - - pass 1♦

♣ A2 pass 1♠ pass 2♣ (1)

pass 3♥ (2) pass 4♥ (3)

♠ 1032 N ♠ A754 pass pass (4) pass

♥ 954 W E ♥ 62

♦ 97643 S ♦ 105 Table B

♣ K5 ♣ QJ983 West North East South

♠ - - - pass 1♦

♥ KJ103 pass 1♠ pass 2♣ (1)

♦ AKQJ2 pass 3♥ (2) pass 4♥ (3)

♣ 10764 pass 4NT (4) pass 5♥ (5)

pass 6♠ (6) all pass

Table A: (1) This hand has reversing values, but a ♠ bid by partner has not improved it and most players chose the more modest 2♣ response.

(2) A jump in the 4^th suit is up to partnership agreement, when it’s a major that partner has not denied I think it’s best to play it as natural and game forcing.

(3) South should perhaps be thinking of greater things with this great ♥ support, I guess he was put off by partner’s initial response in his void?

(4) With good shape North could press on, I guess he was put off by partner’s initial opening in his singleton?

Table B: (4) At this table it was North who decided to take the plunge. He bid Blackwood.

(5) Two keycards playing RKCB.

(6) But unfortunately North was playing normal Blackwood and decided to bid 6♠ knowing that the ♠A was opposite. I think it’s best to go for 6♥ anyway – play in the 4-4 fit.

And what happened? 6♠ was a lucky make when the ♠10 fell. Two pairs bid 6♥ making +1. It was by South once so I guess he reversed at (1)? And there were the usual spurious results, 4♥ +3 (twice), 4♠+1, and 6NT – 1.

The bottom lines: -

- It’s usually best to play in a good 4-4 major suit fit.

Double and bid shows a strong hand Board 23 from Monday 9^th

E-W missed a simple 4♥ at two tables on Monday: -

Dealer: ♠ 3 Table A

North ♥ Q62 West North East South

N-S vul ♦ AJ9652 - 2♦ pass pass

♣ K104 dbl (1) pass pass (2) pass

♠ AK92 N ♠ Q Table B

♥ AK1084 W E ♥ J953 West North East South

♦ K S ♦ 743 - 2♦ pass pass

♣ Q52 ♣ AJ973 dbl (1) pass 2♥ (2) 2♠

♠ J1087654 dbl (3) 3♦ pass pass

♥ J 3♥ (4) pass pass (5) pass

♦ Q108

♣ 86

Table A: (1) I normally prefer to overcall when 5-4 in the majors; but double here is best because the hand is too good for a simple 2♥ overcall. It is good enough to double and then raise partner if he bids 2 of a major or else bid 3♥ if partner responds in ♣’s or NoTrumps.

(2) This is sheer lunacy of course, I guess East fell asleep?

Table B: (2) This East bid the obvious 2♥.

(3) At this vulnerability West has two choices, he can double for the vulnerable penalty or else try for the non-vul game with 3♥. At this vulnerability I have no problem with the (penalty) double.

(4) This now shows a big hand, with ♥’s and ♠’s, and is strongly invitational.

(5) East’s initial 2♥ bid showed about 0-8 points and as he’s absolutely at the top of the range 4♥ is very clear. This pass is a very poor bid.

And what happened? Everybody else was in 4♥, making or making +1, of course.

The bottom lines: -

- If you double a two level pre-empt and subsequently raise partner’s two of a major to three (not in competition), that shows a big hand and partner should bid game with about 5-8 points.

4♥ with ♥Axxxx opposite possibly nothing? Board 23 from Monday 9^th

Here we have the same East in action again. This time he bid a ridiculous 4♥ holding ♥Axxxx in the suit when partner had not even supported ♥’s!

Dealer: ♠ AJ9876

East ♥ Q62 West(A) North East(D) South

E-W vul ♦ J106 - - 1♥ (1) pass

♣ 4 2♣ (2) 3♠ 4♥ (3) pass

4NT (4) pass 5♥ pass

♠ 543 N ♠ KQ 6♥ (5) all pass

♥ KJ76 W E ♥ A10954

♦ A S ♦ K753

♣ K7632 ♣ A8

♠ 102

♥ 3

♦ Q9842

♣ QJ1095

(1) A 1NT opening is worth considering – it would certainly solve any rebid problem!

(2) What did you bid with this West hand A in this week’s quiz? With good trumps and good shape it’s well worth a sound raise to 4♥. It’s best not to splinter so the best option is to bid 2♣ and then raise to 4♥ next go.

(3) What did you bid with this East hand D in this week’s quiz? Partner has not promised a single ♥ and East’s choice of 4♥ is lunacy. You need a much better and longer ♥ suit for this 4♥ bid. North’s 3♠ bid has made it slightly awkward but double (penalties), 3NT, 4♦ and pass are all much more sensible options. I would bid 3NT.

(4) Obviously West was expecting ♠ shortage and a much better ♥ suit opposite and confidently went looking for slam.

(5) And one keycard missing is no reason to chicken out.

And what happened? 6♥ went one down when there was a trump loser – certainly something that West did not expect from the bidding! 4♥ was the best and most popular spot.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t insist on a suit like Axxxx as trumps at the 4 level if partner has not supported them!

Play 4^th suit forcing as forcing to game Board 26 from Monday 9th

Partnerships have different agreements after 4^th suit forcing. I think it’s easiest to play 4^th suit as game forcing – then there are never any problems.

Dealer: ♠ A1097

East ♥ AJ109752 West North East South

both vul ♦ Q - - pass 1♦

♣ J pass 1♥ pass 2♣

dbl (1) 2♠ (2) pass 3♦ (3)

♠ KQ83 N ♠ 642 pass 3♥ (4) pass pass (5)

♥ 86 W E ♥ Q3 pass

♦ 10765 S ♦ K92

♣ A105 ♣ 98743

♠ J5

♥ K4

♦ AJ843

♣ KQ62

(1) I simply do not understand this double – it is presumably take-out showing 4 ♠’s, but you are simply crying out to get doubled – it’s the Sandwich seat and vulnerable – if North has anything decent in the black suits then he will redouble and you have nowhere to go.

(2) What did you bid with this North hand B in this week’s quiz? 2♠, 4^th suit forcing is best – it set’s up a game force so that you can bid 3♥ next go as game forcing. Redouble (looking for a penalty) is an interesting alternative but partner may be left to struggle in 2♣ redoubled.

(3) With no ♠ stop South has to find a bid; 3♦ is fine but with Kx in partner’s suit, 3♥ is an alternative.

(4) Now, having invoked the 4^th suit, this 3♥ bid is forcing.

(5) But South was ‘confused’ – apparently the double put him off.

And what happened? 3♥ made +2. Everybody else was in 4♥ making or making +1.

The bottom lines: -

- What a lucky double at (1) – it meant that this N-S missed their game (650 or 680) but could easily have cost 1100 or so.

- It’s easiest to play that 4^th suit forcing as forcing to game – then you never have misunderstandings.

Upside down attitude signals. South Board 8 from Friday 13^th

♠ 102 You have agreed to play upside-sown attitude signals. So if, for example,

♥ K63 you hold Q72 of a suit and partner leads the ace (so presumably holding

♦ AJ62 this king) you play the two to encourage.

♣ 10532 With this hand you are defending 4♥ and partner leads the ♠A, you want to ruff the 3^rd round, so which ♠ do you play? Answer next page.

Upside down attitude signals - answer South Board 8 from Friday 13^th

♠ 102 Partner leads the ♠A against 4♥ and you want a ruff. Normally you always

♥ K63 play high-low to show a doubleton, but in response to a lead from partner

♦ AJ62 you have to play low-high in this situation if you play upside down attitude.

♣ 10532 So play the ♠2 to encourage.

Don’t bid again having pre-empted – part 1 Board 30 from Wednesday 11^th

Dealer: ♠ AK63 Table A

East ♥ J3 West North East(C) South

Love all ♦ AK54 - - 2♥ (1) pass

♣ 642 pass dbl 3♥ (2) pass

dbl (3) all pass

♠ Q82 N ♠ J1054

♥ 74 W E ♥ AK9852 Table B

♦ J8 S ♦ 963 West North East(C) South

♣ KJ9873 ♣ - - - pass (1) pass

♠ 97 3♣ (4) dbl all pass

♥ Q86

♦ Q1072

♣ AQ105

Table A: (1) What did you open with this East hand C in this week’s quiz? 1♥, 2♥ and pass were three of the options chosen on Wednesday and I was asked what I would open. I think that 1♥ is out of the question with just 8 hcp’s; so 2♥ or pass? Most experienced players do not like to pre-empt with an outside 4-card major but this ♥ suit is excellent and the ♠’s are not very good, so I would also open 2♥ but not argue with pass.

(2) But this is silly…

(3) … especially as double here is penalties.

Table B: (1) This East chose to pass.

(4) Non-vul and in 3^rd seat, West chose to make a somewhat ill-advised pre-empt.

And what happened? East at table A went for 300, but did not get a complete bottom as West at table B got that when he went for 500.

The bottom lines: -

- Whether you allow a pre-empt with an outside 4-card major is up to you/your partnership understanding. I personally think it’s OK if the pre-empt suit is a good one and the 4-card major is weak.

Don’t bid again having pre-empted – part 2 Board 15 from Monday 9th

Partners don’t like it when you break this golden rule and convert +300 into -1400.

Dealer: ♠ 2

South ♥ A7 West North East South

N-S vul ♦ AQJ1043 - - pass 2♥ (1)

♣ Q1064 pass 4♥ (2) 5♣ 5♥ (3)

dbl pass (4) pass pass

♠ Q10643 N ♠ AK9

♥ Q843 W E ♥ J (1) I guess it’s up to you if you pre-empt with

♦ K5 S ♦ 72 an outside 4 card major.

♣ 72 ♣ AKJ9853 (2) On a good day 4♥ may make.

♠ J875 (3) Oh dear, Oh dear! What more can I say?

♥ K109652 (4) Guess this is a very bad day.

♦ 986

♣ -

And what happened? 5♥ doubled went for 1400. 5♣ would have been doubled by North and goes two down for 300 the other way.

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t bid again having pre-empted – even if partner has raised.

- When you pre-empt you have said your hand and partner is the captain.

Dave’s Column Boards 11 (& 24) from Wednesday 11^th

Here is this week’s Dave input involving the best play for the contract.

♠ AK84 You play in 4♥ as South and get the ♦Q lead.

♥ Q3 What is the best line for making the contract, i.e. how do you play trumps?

♦ A843

♣ KQ8

♠ 103

♥ K97654

♦ K6 Answer next page.

♣ J42

And what happened at Pattaya Bridge Club? The board(s) was played a total of 12 times. 4♥ (or 4♠ on board 10) was reached 8 times, 66% is about par for the Pattaya bridge club. Seven made the game and just one failed, but I know that at least two had help from the defence.

Dave’s Column answer

A safety play Boards 27 (& 10) from Wednesday 11^th

Dave again put two virtually identical boards this Wednesday. East had the South hand (with ♠’s instead of ♥’s) when it was board 10. South ends up in 4♥; How do you play the hand on the ♦Q lead?

Dealer: ♠ AK84 South opens a weak 2♥ and North raises to 4♥.

South ♥ Q3 How do you play on the lead of the ♦Q?

Love all ♦ A843 For full marks consider how you handle the

♣ KQ8 trump suit depending upon which cards West

and East play on the first round.

♠ J62 N ♠ Q975

♥ 8 W E ♥ AJ102 Hint: You have only one loser outside trumps,

♦ QJ1052 S ♦ 97 You can therefore afford to lose two trump tricks

♣ 7653 ♣ A109 but not three.

♠ 103

♥ K97654 Tip: With an 8 card trump fit the safety play is

♦ K6 usually the one that caters for the greatest

♣ J42 numbers of 4-1 splits.

Play: If the trumps split 3-2 you will only lose two trump tricks. The problem occurs when they break 4-1. The line to cater for the greatest number of 4-1 breaks is to lead the 9 and run it. If West has a singleton ♥10, ♥J or ♥A or if East has a singleton ♥8 you will succeed. The other point is that if West plays the ♥8 you should rise with the ♥Q as East can no longer have a singleton ♥8. You can then later lead the ♥3 from North and finesse the ♥7 when East follows with the ♥2.

On the actual layout an initial low ♥ to the ♥Q works just as well but exchange the West and East trumps and you need to start with the ♥9.

Terry’s comment: When I played the hand I, like most, instinctively made the inferior play and led low towards the ♥Q. There are ten possibilities of a 4-1 split and as the author correctly points out this line fails on the one occasion when East has the singleton ♥8. The author mentions singleton ♥A, ♥J, ♥10 and ♥8 but conveniently (?) forgets to mention a singleton ♥2.

If West has the singleton ♥2 then leading the ♥9 leads to three sure losers; but a low ♥ to the ♥Q may lead to just two ♥ losers, depending upon how the play goes. You have K9765 sitting over East’s J108 and in some lines of play you may succeed in engineering a two card ending with East holding ♥J8, South holding ♥97, and the lead in the North hand.

I believe that in the actual example hand it is not possible without help from the defence as the lead will be in the South hand at trick 12, but then I am no expert and may be wrong.
Open 3NT or rebid 3NT? Board 19 from Wednesday 11^th

I was asked about the bidding and the play on this deal. Dave and I both played West on Wednesday – we had identical auctions (as table B) and the play was exactly the same.

Dealer: ♠ A1072 Table A

South ♥ 1098 West(F) North East South

E-W vul ♦ 98 - - - pass

♣ J974 3NT (1) pass pass (2) pass

♠ Q9 N ♠ KJ542

♥ K W E ♥ QJ54 Table B

♦ AKQJ1053 S ♦ 7 West(F) North East South

♣ 532 ♣ AK10 - - - pass

♠ 86 1♦ (1) pass 1♠ pass

♥ A7632 3NT (3) pass pass (4) pass

♦ 642

♣ Q86

Table A: (1) What did you open with this West hand F(a) in this week’s quiz? A gambling 3NT is incorrect as it’s best played as promising absolutely no ace or king outside the suit.

(2) With stoppers in all three suits East passes and the best spot is reached anyway.

Table B: (1) This is the correct opening.

(3) What did you rebid with this West hand F(b) in this week’s quiz? The 3NT rebid shows this hand exactly – a good hand with a good long minor suit.

(4) West’s rebid is very specific and East should not bid 4♥ (or 4♠) here. I note that one pair ended up in an inferior 4♠ and so East presumably did bid?

And what happened? Two players made 3NT +3 (and one made 6NT!). The play at Dave’s table and mine was identical: ♣ lead, ♠ to the ♠Q (ducked), ♥K won by South, ♣ return and claim 12 tricks (7 ♦’s, 2 ♣’s, 2 ♥’s and 1 ♠).

The bottom lines: -

- With a good hand and a good long minor, open the minor and rebid 3NT.

- If partner does make this 3NT rebid, then don’t look for a fit elsewhere.

- The gambling 3NT is best played as no ace or king outside.

- It’s generally not a good idea to bid 6NT missing two aces, but occasionally you luck out.

- When you have 7 solid tricks it may be best to steal an extra trick elsewhere before you run them.

No Psyching please East, Board 12 from Friday 13^th

Due to the large number of inexperienced players, psyching at the Pattaya bridge club is simply not allowed.

♠ Q986 It was favourable vulnerability and 3^rd seat – so the classic psyche position.

♥ 1054 This East opened 2♦, which was apparently their strongest bid.

♦ 108763 As a result the opponents missed their easy 3NT which mostly made +1.

♣ 4 The director was called. The culprit was a visitor and so unaware of the club rules, so it was explained that psyching is not allowed and the result was reset to the popular spot of 3NT+2 by the opponents.

Down one in cold 4♥ for a complete top? Board 19 from Friday 24^th

West at Table B got greedy on this deal and went down in a cold contract (he should have made +1); his excuse – he was trying to make 12 tricks!

Dealer: ♠ J106 Table A

West ♥ - West North East South

Love all ♦ A542 1♥ (1) dbl (2) 2♥ (3) 2♠

♣ QJ10952 4♥ 4♠ (4) dbl pass

5♥ (5) pass pass dbl

♠ 7 N ♠ K432

♥ AQ10983 W E ♥ K42 Table B

♦ KJ10876 S ♦ Q93 West North East South

♣ - ♣ 876 1♥ (1) dbl (2) 1♠ (3) pass (6)

♠ AQ985 3♦ (7) pass 3♥ pass

♥ J765 4♥ all pass

♦ -

♣ AK32

Table A: (1) A very sound opener with this great shape.

(2) 2♣ is an alternative.

(3) This is often a point of controversy – whether to support with three trumps or bid a 4 card major? If North’s style is to usually guarantee a 4 card major (so 4 ♠’s) then I prefer 2♥.

(4) East did not think that 4♠ was making.

(5) West (correctly) thought that 4♠ was making and that 5♥ may well make.

Table B: (1) This East chose to show his 4-card major – no problem.

(6) But it made life difficult for South. 2♣ is an option but she chose to pass.

(7) Partner’s 1♠ response has not improved West’s hand, but he still thought that it was worth game. Also the opponents may have game (they can make 5♠ or 7♣).

And what happened? Let’s start with Table A. The board was played 6 times and at five tables it was similar to Table A – ending in 5♥ doubled. The ♦A lead sets it straight away but I understand that at most tables the ♠J was led. 5♥ is trivial to make now but it appears that everybody(!) lost count of the trumps and let South get a ♦ ruff at some stage!

And what happened at Table B? This time it was a ♣ lead which declarer ruffed. He could count 11 tricks but thought that he might be able to sneak an extra one, so he led his ♠7 towards dummy’s king. Unfortunately it was not the doubler, but his partner who had the ♠A and the ♠Q was returned which declarer ruffed. No problem (!), there are still the same 11 tricks(?). Declarer then led a trump and discovered the 4-0 split; having already ruffed twice he had lost control! Unlike the other declarers this one actually counted the trumps correctly and knew that if he drew the trumps then he was out of trumps before the ♦A had been knocked out and would go four down! So he accepted defeat and led a ♦. North ducked (so West’s psychology about North ducking the ♠A if he had it was probably correct) and South ruffed. Back came a black card which West ruffed. He tried another ♦ which North took with his ♦A and then gave his partner a ♦ ruff! Declarer was now back in control and claimed the rest after drawing trumps. 4♥ minus one was a clear top when he had an easy 11 tricks!!

The bottom lines: -

- Don’t be greedy? And even more importantly – count trumps!

Double of Stayman or transfer is for a lead Board 28 from Wednesday 11^th

Dealer: ♠ 1083 West North East South(E)

West ♥ K83 1NT pass 2♦ dbl (1)

N-S vul ♦ 109 redbl (2) pass pass (3) pass

♣ J9543

♠ AJ6 N ♠ KQ9 (1) What did you bid with this South hand E in

♥ A4 W E ♥ Q109652 this week’s quiz? I would like a better hand

♦ AK53 S ♦ Q6 and much more in high cards in the suit to

♣ Q1086 ♣ K2 double a transfer bid for a lead.

♠ 7542 (2) Showing good ♦’s and usually just 2 ♥’s,

♥ J7 and offering 2♦ redoubled as a final contract

♦ J8742 if East has something decent in ♦’s.

♣ A7 (3) East considered Qx good enough.

And what happened? 2♦ redoubled should make +1, but declarer made a bit of a hash of it but still managed to make it for a complete top.

The bottom line: - You need a much better suit than Jxxxx to double a cipher bid.

Bidding Quiz Answers

Hand A: 2♣. This hand is worth a sound raise to 4♥ but a direct 4♥ bid is pre-emptive. You should not splinter with a singleton ace and I prefer a natural 2♣ (with the intention of bidding 4♥ next go) unless you play Swiss – when 4♦ shows this sound raise.

Hand B: (a) 2♠, 4^th suit forcing. 3♠ is possible I suppose if you agree that it’s a natural reverse.

(b) 2♠, it’s still 4^th suit forcing. Redouble (looking for a penalty somewhere) is an interesting option but LHO presumably has ♣’s and partner may not make 2♣ redoubled if it’s left in.

Hand C: 2♥ or pass. It’s up to you if you allow a pre-empt with a weak outside 4-card major. This is only in the quiz because I was asked about it when one player wanted me to agree with his 1♥ opening. I do not (it’s only 18 for the rule of 20).

Hand D: 3NT. This one is difficult and 3NT, pass, 4♦ and double (penalties) are all worth considering. 4♥, with only 4 ♥’s, is out of the question.

Hand E: Pass, obviously. This ♦ suit, and the hand in general, is nowhere near good enough to double (for a ♦ lead). Do you really want partner leading from ♦Ax , Kx or ♦Qx? And you never know, 2♦ redoubled may well make (it did).

Hand F: (a) 1♦. It’s best not to open a gambling 3NT with an outside king.

(b) 3NT. This hand is too good for 3♦ and the 3NT rebid defines it perfectly.

Bidding Sequence Quiz Answers

G 2♥ pass 4♥ dbl Maybe it’s up to partnership agreement, but with nothing

agreed this double should be take-out but obviously partner is quite likely to pass for penalties with a suitable hand

H 2♥ pass 4♥ pass This double is clearly penalties – if doubler had a take-out

pass dbl double hand then he would have doubled last go.

J 1♦ pass 1NT pass This double is clearly take-out – showing ♦’s and ♠’s.

2♣ pass pass dbl