From: idc@cs.hw.ac.uk (Ian Crorie)
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge
Subject: Re: Bidding Carve Up!
Date: 22 Jan 93 11:17:58 GMT
Organization: Dept of Computing & Electrical Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland


Sigh.   I posted this a week or so ago but just learned that it didn't get
outside out site.   So since I haven't seen anyone mention the line...


In article <1iqak9INNasr@tansy.csv.warwick.ac.uk> maugx@csv.warwick.ac.uk (Mr G A Jordan) writes:
: 
:      This article is not from me - but a from a friend that can read the 
: newsgroup, but doesn't seem to be able to post to it. 
: 
:                S AQJT
:                H Qxxxx
:                D Kx
:                C Jx
: 
: 
: 
:                S xx
:                H Kxx
:                D Axx
:                C AKQTx

: Not the best slam in the world.  All the x's are really small.  Plan your play
: on the lead of the S2.  What do you rate your probablity as being once the SQ 
: holds?

We have to assume that the spade finesse is working of course.
I'll play J clubs, club to hand then a heart to the Queen.   

1. If it holds I'll run my minors coming down to AJT spades & x hearts in
   dummy, x spades & Kx hearts & x diamonds in hand then repeat the spade
   finesse.   Should be able to tell if LHO has bared their Ace of hearts
   (throw them in) or King of spades.
   
2. If it loses then I can choose between squeezing LHO in the majors if they
   have the long hearts or a double squeeze with LHO having spades, RHO
   hearts so that neither can keep diamonds.   Don't think that any return
   by RHO will force me to commit myself too early so I'd fancy my chances
   of reading the position against most defenders.

Depends on the standard of the defenders so I can't put a figure on it
but it's a slam I'd be more than happy to be in after the spade finesse
wins.

Note that RHO can defeat this line by ducking smoothly with the heart Ace.
I'm better out of a high stakes game if that's how they play.


:  The opposition were silent throughout (probably a good job....things would 
: have gone really wrong...:)  ) and the bidding went:-
: 
:      1NT(a)   -    2C 
:      2D       -    3D(b) 
:      4C(c)    -    4H(d) 
:      5C(e)    -    6NT(f)
: 
: The auction was not convincing to say the least.
: 
: a) My 1NT was hardly perfect, but with a loony opposite....

1NT is fine.   If you open 1C what can you rebid over 1 of a suit?

: b) Here is where the wheel comes off.  Without any mention of it partner 
:    decides he is playing extended stayman (why not just bid 3H?).  I assume 5
:    diamonds with a 4 card major, willing to pass 3NT if I'm suitable
: c) I think I am as suitable as I could ever be....show my Ace/feature

Yes, he's torturing you.   Maybe in his circle everyone plays extended
Stayman and he thinks everyone else does.   Maybe he's just a loony.
I think I'd still bid 3NT or 3H if in a scientific mood - the latter
caters for extended stayman and 4-?-5-? shape when he'll surely bid 3NT.
If he raises hearts I don't mind the 4-3 fit.   Of course he might do
something else bizarre which is why 3NT seems reasonable.

Mind you, I wouldn't bankroll *myself* to play high stakes rubber bridge
with strangers, so what do I know?



-- 
        "When I started, flying was dangerous and sex was safe"
                - Aer Lingus pilot at his retirement party
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