香港橋藝論壇

[KF Tung]

This is a hand from the LADDER TEAM on 25.2.10: (IMP scoring)

You are North.

The bidding:
N/NS
West　　North　　East　　South
　 　　　　1 　　Pass 　　1
Pass　　　1N 　 　Pass 　　2
Pass　　　3 　　Pass 　　4N
Pass　　　5 　　Pass 　　6
Pass 　　　?

You have told partner that you have 3235 shape with 3 key cards in clubs. Partner should know that they are A, A and K.

What do you bid with the following hands?

(1) 　　　 Q32
　　　　　 96
　　　　　 A32
　　　　　 AKJ74

(2) 　　　 432
　　　　　 96
　　　　　 A32
　　　　　 AKQJ7

(3) 　　　 432
　　　　　 96
　　　　　 AQ2
　　　　　 AKJ73

Partner usually bids the final contract after inquiring the key cards. The out-of-the-blue 6 bid leaves you room to bid something more, and he must be interested in your Queen, if you have one.

(1) Your Q may be the one partner is looking for. Bid 6. Let partner do the rest.

(2) Your Q may be the one partner is looking for. Bid 7 because this can be the best contract when you need to build up a long heart with a ruff. Partner will pass or find a better contract.

(3) Your Q cannot be the one partner is looking for. He has 4-5 or 4-6 in the majors and your Q will not come into the play if he has a loser in the majors. Bid 6NT.

In the match you have (1), and partner bids the lay-down 7NT with your 6 bid.

　　　　　Partner (South)
　　　　　 AKJ6
　　　　　 AKQJ7
　　　　　 K86
　　　　　 8

　　　　　You (North)
　　　　　 Q32
　　　　　 96
　　　　　 A32
　　　　　 AKJ74

Note:

(1) Great responsibility comes with great power. Many players just shoot at a contract when they hold a powerhouse and partner makes an opening bid. On many occasions they succeed, but experts will sit down and study the paths to bid the winning slams.

(2) South will bid 7NT when you hold the first 2 hands, and pass 6NT when you hold the Q or none.