Well, I guess we'd better try it now!
Kxx
AQT98
KQ9x
x
Red
Partner
1C - 1H - ?
This compares with Notts019 where you held: -
Kx
QT987
KT2
Jxx
In this case partner opened with 1D. Initially I was a passer on both hands but I'm now (easily!) persuaded to bid 1NT on 19. The difference (I think!)? On the second hand you have a partial fit with partner. So, on 009: -
If you pass do you expect partner to always re-open?
Do you expect a large enough penalty if (s)he reopens with a double?
If you don't pass, what should you bid?
4 comments:
Great initiative Mike, well done, RichardJ
I still like 3NT. I'm not convinced that if partner re-opens with a double, then I'm going to leave it in for penalties. 3NT seems the practical bid to me. When partner then bids 4D I can cue bid 4H & then sign-off in 5D after 5C from partner - as it went.
I have always been of the school that tries to maximise my own side's plus score in preference to the oppositions minus score (it's easier to play the cards than defend). So if I think there is a clear positive bid my way I will bid it rather than wait for partner to re-open with a double and let me misdefend it.
On the first hand (notts009) it seems very unlikely that I can draw trumps and declarer should be able to get to 5 tricks, less than a game we surely have. 3NT is the practical bid. If partner has the distributional freak he held, he can make a forward move in diamonds or let me have a go at 3NT. I'd probbaly opt for passing 3NT (which would be wrong as the cards lie if LHO has the nous to lead a spade).
On the second hand (Notts019) 1NT describes my hand clearly, so I will bid it. Partner will be able to assess much more clearly what level we should be competing to if I tell him something positive. He may have semi-solid diamonds and be able to have a go at 3NT. What am I going to do if I pass and he just rebids 2D on Qxx x AQJxxxx Kx?
Yes, defintely agree with the Notts009 1NT (now!). I can see potential commnications problems on the other one, though, which is why I'd want to pass initially if I could do so comfortably.
The key principle to establish, though, surely is whether opener is always expected to reopen - ie can you risk passing with a good hand?
Post a Comment