Hand 50 — Opponents bid helps to plan our strategy
Play this handThe Deal
North
♠
A J 7 4 2
♥
K 7
♦
K Q J 3
♣
7 6
West
♠
K Q 5
♥
Q 10 8
♦
9 7 4 2
♣
A 8 3
East
♠
10 9 3
♥
9 5 4
♦
8 5
♣
Q 9 5 4 2
South
♠
8 6
♥
A J 6 3 2
♦
A 10 6
♣
K J 10
North: 14 HCP, 5-2-4-2
East: 2 HCP, 3-3-2-5 (bal)
South: 13 HCP, 2-5-3-3 (bal)
West: 11 HCP, 3-3-4-3 (bal)
Bidding Sequence
| N | E | S | W |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♠ | Pass | 2♥ | Pass |
| 2NT | Pass | 3NT | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
Final Comments
In a no-trump hand we count our winners.
So,
2 spades
3 hearts
4 diamonds
1 club
That makes 10 tricks, enough for our contract.
Our best plan is to play the hearts out first. Play the king, and then finesse with the jack. The finesse loses, but the rest of the hearts are ours, making 4 tricks in hearts.
In addition, whatever west leads will give us a free finesse.
Planning
These are the opening bids. They follow close to the sayc standard.
13 - 19 … 1 club No 5c major, less than 4 diamonds.If 4 clubs and 4 diamonds, then bid 1 diamond.
13 - 19 … 1 diamond No 5c major, 4 or more diamonds
13 - 19 … 1 heart 5 or more hearts. If 16 - 19 points, could also have 5 spades.
13 - 19 … 1 spade 5 or more spades. could also have 5 hearts
15 - 17 … 1 NT Balanced distribition
22 - 24 … 2 clubs point count only, forcing to game
20 – 21 … 2 NT point count only
6 - 11 … 2 diamonds At least 6 cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
6 - 11 … 2 hearts At least 6 cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
6 - 11 … 2 spades At least 6 cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
5 - 9 … 3 clubs At least 7cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
5 - 9 … 3 diamonds At least 7cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
5 - 9 … 3 hearts At least 7cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
5 - 9 … 3 spades At least 7cards, and 2 of the top 3 honours, or 3 of top 5
With enough points for game, but no fit in the majores, 3nt is a good contract.