AK A ?

[Dave Flower]

Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer

A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6

pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?

(Double would be for penalties)

Dave Flower

[b***@gmail.com]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but it seems to me that whether the double is for penalties depends upon partnership agreements. Are you playing lebensohl/Ruebensohl? What would a cuebid mean?

If one is playing with a pickup partner, your guess is what this problem is about. Good luck.

[Barry Margolin]

Post by b***@gmail.com

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but it seems to me that whether the double
is for penalties depends upon partnership agreements.

Did you think he was asking whether double should be for penalties? It
seems to be a statement of what the partnership agreement is.

Post by b***@gmail.com
Are you playing
lebensohl/Ruebensohl? What would a cuebid mean?
If one is playing with a pickup partner, your guess is what this problem is
about. Good luck.

His question is what you should bid with the given hand.

[Douglas Newlands]

Post by b***@gmail.com

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but it seems to me that whether the double is for penalties depends upon partnership agreements. Are you playing lebensohl/Ruebensohl? What would a cuebid mean?
If one is playing with a pickup partner, your guess is what this problem is about. Good luck.

It seems to me that if you're playing 15-17 (or the like), you can play
responder's double is takeout but, to get penalties, you have to play
1N 2H P P
X
as take out too.
This is all fine and reasonably comfortable with a strong 1NT
but isn't a flash agreement with a week 1NT.
Well, at least, I don't fancy it. Anyone tried this?

doug

[Player]

I played this. We had no problems with it.

[David Goldfarb]

Post by Douglas Newlands
It seems to me that if you're playing 15-17 (or the like), you can play
responder's double is takeout but, to get penalties, you have to play
1N 2H P P
X
as take out too.
This is all fine and reasonably comfortable with a strong 1NT
but isn't a flash agreement with a week 1NT.
Well, at least, I don't fancy it. Anyone tried this?

Philip Martin recommends it in his article on Countering Notrump
Interference, and I've played that way for several years now with
a couple of partners. We've never run into serious trouble, and
had a number of hands where we're better able to compete.

[Travis Crump]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Would you have passed if RHO had passed? If so, I pass now. If not, I
double. It is close, but I think I'd double. Paradoxically, the times
where double has the biggest upside it probably isn't necessary. Other
things that I might consider is how common this problem rates to be, and
whether partner might be 22 in the reds or have 5 spades. I also, while
I realize I probably shouldn't, would be more likely to pass if it was
the first board, or close to it, of the game or late and I thought I
already had a big game.

Travis

[Sandy Barnes]

Post by Travis Crump

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Would you have passed if RHO had passed? If so, I pass now. If not, I
double. It is close, but I think I'd double. Paradoxically, the times
where double has the biggest upside it probably isn't necessary. Other
things that I might consider is how common this problem rates to be, and
whether partner might be 22 in the reds or have 5 spades. I also, while
I realize I probably shouldn't, would be more likely to pass if it was
the first board, or close to it, of the game or late and I thought I
already had a big game.
Travis

Opening 1NT with a 5 card spade suit (12-14) is a questionable action, a roll of the dice, not my style. It has too much downside since there is much better structure over a 1S opening available for the partnership to select from.

[p***@infi.net]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

You don't mention methods, such as lebensohl, but nothing other than double appeals to me.

[jogs]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Are you playing in England or the USA?
If USA, this is an easy double. RHO probably
doesn't have his call. English players are
more familiar with weak notrumps. Maybe RHO's
overcall would be more sound? Then the best
action may be pass or at least less clear.

[KWSchneider]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

If RHO is dealer, then according to the bidding he/she passed and you opened 1N. Did LHO deal?
Or am I confused here?

Kurt

[Dave Flower]

Post by KWSchneider

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

If RHO is dealer, then according to the bidding he/she passed and you opened 1N. Did LHO deal?
Or am I confused here?
Kurt
--
Posted by Mimo Usenet Browser v0.2.5
http://www.mimousenet.com/mimo/post

Sorry, LHO was dealer.

Played under the EBU

No Lebensohl

Dave Flower

[Lorne Anderson]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Dble and lead a trump. If they run to H then dble gain and partner
should lead a trump.

If it was IMPs I would dble 2D but too scared to dble 2H if they run
unless partner dbles first.

[Dave Flower]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

Further correction, both vul

Dave Flower

[Will in New Haven]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

I double. If they stay in 2D, I lead a trump. If LHO runs to 2H and partner does not double, I bid 2S when it reaches me. If partner doubles 2H, it's her lead.

[Dave Flower]

Posters may be interested in the full hand:

Dlr: East
Vul: E/W

A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6

9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4

8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2


3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0

Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!

David Flower

Post by Will in New Haven

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

I double. If they stay in 2D, I lead a trump. If LHO runs to 2H and partner does not double, I bid 2S when it reaches me. If partner doubles 2H, it's her lead.
--
Will now in Pompano Beach
All change for round nine; Slow pairs please go home.

[Adam Lea]

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

How typical, 24 HCPs between the hands but even 1NT goes down more often
than not, because EVERYTHING is wrong for N/S.

[Dave Flower]

Post by Adam Lea

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

How typical, 24 HCPs between the hands but even 1NT goes down more often
than not, because EVERYTHING is wrong for N/S.

Which the 2D bid obligingly told North

David Flower

[Adam Lea]

Post by Dave Flower

Post by Adam Lea

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

How typical, 24 HCPs between the hands but even 1NT goes down more often
than not, because EVERYTHING is wrong for N/S.

Which the 2D bid obligingly told North
David Flower

True. 2D doesn't looks easy to make even if double dummy says it should.
Although the finesses are right I can only see one slow entry to dummy
to take any of them. With three black suit losers and only one entry to
dummy how do you avoid three red suit losers?

[Travis Crump]

Post by Adam Lea

Post by Dave Flower

Post by Adam Lea

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I
passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but
found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

How typical, 24 HCPs between the hands but even 1NT goes down more often
than not, because EVERYTHING is wrong for N/S.

Which the 2D bid obligingly told North
David Flower

True. 2D doesn't looks easy to make even if double dummy says it should.
Although the finesses are right I can only see one slow entry to dummy
to take any of them. With three black suit losers and only one entry to
dummy how do you avoid three red suit losers?

The defense has to lead something when they are in. After two rounds of
diamonds, declarer has 2 board entries to take both heart finesses.
After three rounds of spades, declarer hooks a heart, HA, heart ruff.

[Douglas Newlands]

Post by Adam Lea

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed,
expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way
to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

How typical, 24 HCPs between the hands but even 1NT goes down more often
than not, because EVERYTHING is wrong for N/S.

I would have thought 1NT would make easily.
Diamond lead to queen, spade to 10 seems the basic plan.
Might manage to endplay west too.

doug

[Player]

+120 is as cold as dog's balls.

[jogs]

Post by Player
+120 is as cold as dog's balls.

If West leads the CJ, 8 tricks in NT may be tough.
Even a spade lead may create problems.

West must lead a black card.

[Adam Lea]

Post by Player
+120 is as cold as dog's balls.

It can't be that easy to make if only three out of nine pairs in NT
managed to get 7 tricks.

[jogs]

Post by Dave Flower
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

It looks like 2D making is a good score for you.
Just don't double.

[Sandy Barnes]

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

Post by Will in New Haven

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

I double. If they stay in 2D, I lead a trump. If LHO runs to 2H and partner does not double, I bid 2S when it reaches me. If partner doubles 2H, it's her lead.
--
Will now in Pompano Beach
All change for round nine; Slow pairs please go home.

This is an interesting defense to play at the table. If your partnership agreement is clear when the auction tells you that a continuation of the lead is wrong, partner signals length against this dummy. It seems normal to lead a low club against a dummy with a single entry. With partner winning this switch and continues clubs. Either Declarer ruffs, or you now have 4 black tricks. Declarer has some issues now. What does he pitch from hand? Partner will lead the 4th club when in with the Diamond Ace. Easy to get wrong for him.

[Charles Brenner]

Post by Sandy Barnes

Post by Dave Flower
Dlr: East
Vul: E/W
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
9 7 4 Q J 2
A Q 10 6 5 4
K 10 9 8 2 J 6 5
J Q 10 9 5 4
8 6 3
K J 7 2
A Q
K 7 3 2
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

Post by Will in New Haven

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

I double. If they stay in 2D, I lead a trump. If LHO runs to 2H and partner does not double, I bid 2S when it reaches me. If partner doubles 2H, it's her lead.
--
Will now in Pompano Beach
All change for round nine; Slow pairs please go home.

This is an interesting defense to play at the table. If your partnership agreement is clear when the auction tells you that a continuation of the lead is wrong, partner signals length against this dummy. It seems normal to lead a low club against a dummy with a single entry. With partner winning this switch and continues clubs. Either Declarer ruffs, or you now have 4 black tricks. Declarer has some issues now. What does he pitch from hand? Partner will lead the 4th club when in with the Diamond Ace. Easy to get wrong for him.

Your reasoning for a club lead sounds plausible, but somehow underleading an ace when holding an AKxx suit seems implausible. But I suppose a top spade then low club amounts to the same thing. Thereafter declarer does rather well. South continues clubs, West ruffs & plays a spade. North wins, plays a 3rd club which declarer ruffs leaving

10x
xxx
xxx
--
x Q
AQ10x xx
K109 Jxx
-- Q10
x
KJxx
AQ
K

From here declarer luckily but naturally loses only the trump Ace: Spade to dummy, heart finesse, heart Ace, crossruff. Making 3.

[jogs]

Post by Dave Flower
3♣ S 6 150 3 15
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3NT S 5 200 18 0
2NT S 6 100 8 10
3♠ N 8 50 13 5
2♠ N 6 100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 50 13 5
3NT N 6 150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0
Suspectin gbad breaks and losing finesses in the red suits, I passed, expecting a poor score. Declarer could have made 2D, but found a way to go down. As you can see, +100 was a cold top!
David Flower

You posted in a format which is difficult to read.

Post by Dave Flower
3♣ S 6 -150 3 15
2NT S 6 -100 8 10
3NT S 5 -200 18 0
2NT S 6 -100 8 10
3♠ N 8 -50 13 5
2♠ N 6 -100 8 10
1NT S 7 90 16 2
2NT S 7 -50 13 5
3NT N 6 -150 3 15
2♦ W 7 100 18 0

All scores should be for N-S or E-W.
We need to see the scores with the correct signs.
If you had not doubled and defended accurately
you would have received a 16.
If you had not doubled and allowed 2D to make,
you would have received a 12.

Not doubling opponents gives your side the
best chance to get a good score on this board.

[Sandy Barnes]

Post by Dave Flower
Matchpoints, opponents vulnerable, RHO dealer
A K 10 5
9 8 3
7 4 3
A 8 6
pass 1NT(12-14) 2D(red suits) ?
(Double would be for penalties)
Dave Flower

This all depends on your opponents style. mt knee jerk is to double which shows interest in defending, thinking of a trump lead. However, if the bid promises 5 cards in the anchor suit, I would start with the spade ace (or king, whichever shows this holding) to see if I need to tap declarer. Of course, if your style is to open defensive 1NT (trash) hands, then I must sell out and pass.