From: bs@gauss.mitre.org (Robert D. Silverman)
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge
Subject: Re: Yet another assign the blame
Date: 28 Jul 92 14:36:18 GMT
Organization: Research Computer Facility, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA

In article <1992Jul28.132031.12341@wam.umd.edu> pi@wam.umd.edu (Raymond L. Gilbert) writes:
:
:    The following nasty sequence happened to my partner and
:me last night, playing 5cm S/A.
:
:    North             South
:S: A Q J T 9 x    S:
:H: x              H: T x x x
:D: J              D: A K x x x x
:C: A K J x x      C: x x x
:
:The bidding (E/W passing throughout, not even a double!):
:    North             South
:     1S                1N
:     3C                3D
:     3S                3N
:     4S                5D
:     5N                P
:Opening lead by W: 4H
:
:    The only bid I really hated in this sequence was 5D, but
 
It looks as if neither of you trusts the other.

I agree with the first two bids by each partner.  The rest of the auction is 
diseased.

The first mistake came with the 3S bid.  4C (showing a 6-5) is correct.
What is the point of 3S?
Partner now has a nice, simple 5C call to close the auction.

However, over 3S, 3NT lacking a heart stopper is bad.
Now over 3NT the opening bidder STILL refuses to show his 5 card club
suit and instead bids 4S (showing a 7-4 hand with very good spades).
South should now pass. His partner has bid the spade suit 3 times and
doesn't need spade support. Instead South bids 5D when partner has
shown on the auction that he has no diamond support. Wonderful.
South has a 100% CLEARCUT PASS of 4S. 5D shows a TOTAL distrust in
partner.
Finally, North's final 5NT call shows a total distrust as well. North
did not want to play 3NT, but now he is willing to play 5NT? Partner
should have 6 or 7 good diamonds on this auction. North has stiff J
and should clearly pass 5D. Also, partner's refusal to bid 4NT over 4S should
tell North that the heart stopper is shaky at best. South's failure to
bid 3NT over 3C also shows that the heart stopper is shaky.
Bidding 5NT is so ridiculous as to defy description.


This is a nice simple easy hand to bid:

1S	1NT
3C	3D
4C	5C
 
I note that 4S is actually the best contract on this hand, but I
confess that I don't see any valid way to get there. If North shows
a 6-5 hand as he should, it is hard to see how South can NOT simply
raise clubs.
 
If anyone can tell me a logical way to reach 4S on this hand I would
be pleased to learn from you.



:still it was a nasty sequence.  Given the poor bidding, how
:would you now plan the play?  As it turns out, clubs broke 4-1
 
Plan the play? When the opponents have at least 4 cashing hearts for
down 2 off the top? When clubs must be 3-2 with Q onside just to get
out for down 3? I don't know how you only went down 3. With the club
Q offside you have 4 clubs, 2 diamonds and a spade for 7 tricks. You
must concede a spade to set up that suit for down 4.
 
:and are sitting off sides for a nasty 300 set and a bottom board. 
 
Learn to trust one another. You and your partner keep taking 
one another out of your suits even when the auction shows that
partner doesn't need support.
--
Bob Silverman
These are my opinions and not MITRE's.
Mitre Corporation, Bedford, MA 01730
"You can lead a horse's ass to knowledge, but you can't make him think"
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge