So, lots of hands last weekend at the Tollemache qualifier and I'm spoilt for choice for what to write about. My pair recovered to a level of respectability by the end but missed out on excellent scores on two very tricky bidding sequences.
The non-Acol players will have to imagine you are Acol players for the time being, I'm just going to offer you two different bidding sequences and you have to tell me what you think
3 should mean in each sequence.
Sequence One:
(for this sequence direct bids after
2 would have been long-suit trial bids, and a
2 raise can be made on three-cards but 1NT is available with suitable 3-card support hands)
Vulnerability: None
| West |
North |
East |
South |
|
1 |
Pass |
2 |
| Pass |
Pass |
Dbl |
Pass |
| 2 |
3 |
|
What should
3 mean? Is it a game try, is it offering place to play? Is it something else?
Sequence Two:
(you aren't playing support doubles)
Vulnerability: Both
| West |
North |
East |
South |
|
1 |
Pass |
1 |
| 2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
What should
3 mean? Is it a game try in some suit, is it natural, is it forcing? Is it something else? Would your answer change if opener hasn't rebid
2?
In sequence one, the 3D bid is competitive offering a place to play. Given the lack of a double I would usually expect 5-5. Partner can go to game with highly suitable hand. It should not be explicit game try given earlier pass.
ReplyDeleteSequence two is closer. Opener has shown 6 hearts, however would play it as natural and forcing without prior agreement. There is an argument for game try in hearts, but at teams is that best particularly as 3NT could be right.
Hmm looks like we're not on the same wavelength. Maybe I'm alone in my views :)
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