simultaneous silliness

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.

Game all, North dealer

KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987

For a simultaneous I was expecting the deals to be less biased than normal, however my South hand was sadly typical of the rubbish I was picking up (average HCP count 8.92). My partner, who had recently had a knee replacement operation at one point got bored of waiting for me to be declarer and had to get up and move around between rounds. This was one of the stranger auctions (and frustrating result) at our table.

N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP

I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for takeout. What I don't understand is the 2NT bid by East. If 2NT is making would it not be best to go for one down doubled in 2S and take +200?

It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S whilst 2NT was only one down for a slightly below average score NS. Four pairs were in 2S, three making 9 or 10 tricks, one going one down. One other EW pair went one down in 2NT, and one EW pair made 1NT with an overtrick.

It seems the winning NS action is to double 2NT and get +200. I'm not sure I can find this with my manky five count, and I'm not sure North is quite strong enough to go for it. What do you think, bad luck or could we have judged better?

[[e-mail]]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.
Game all, North dealer
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987
For a simultaneous I was expecting the deals to be less biased than normal, however my South hand was sadly typical of the rubbish I was picking up (average HCP count 8.92). My partner, who had recently had a knee replacement operation at one point got bored of waiting for me to be declarer and had to get up and move around between rounds. This was one of the stranger auctions (and frustrating result) at our table.
N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP
I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for takeout.

Takeout to what?

Carl

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.
Game all, North dealer
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987
For a simultaneous I was expecting the deals to be less biased than normal, however my South hand was sadly typical of the rubbish I was picking up (average HCP count 8.92). My partner, who had recently had a knee replacement operation at one point got bored of waiting for me to be declarer and had to get up and move around between rounds. This was one of the stranger auctions (and frustrating result) at our table.
N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP
I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for takeout.

Takeout to what?
Carl

A suit. The double is showing a hand with spade shortage and support/tolerance for the other suits. West wants to compete the part score, and the 1NT bidder almost certainly has a four card suit outside spades. It is like some people play 1NT (2x) X as takeout.

[[e-mail]]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk

Post by ***@verizon.net

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.
Game all, North dealer
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987
For a simultaneous I was expecting the deals to be less biased than normal, however my South hand was sadly typical of the rubbish I was picking up (average HCP count 8.92). My partner, who had recently had a knee replacement operation at one point got bored of waiting for me to be declarer and had to get up and move around between rounds. This was one of the stranger auctions (and frustrating result) at our table.
N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP
I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for takeout.

Takeout to what?
Carl

A suit. The double is showing a hand with spade shortage and support/tolerance for the other suits. West wants to compete the part score, and the 1NT bidder almost certainly has a four card suit outside spades. It is like some people play 1NT (2x) X as takeout.

If you wait for 1=4=4=4, fine. If not, you will be usually be in a 4-3 at 3-level. Is that a winning contract?

Carl

[Fred.]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.
Game all, North dealer
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987
For a simultaneous I was expecting the deals to be less biased than normal, however my South hand was sadly typical of the rubbish I was picking up (average HCP count 8.92). My partner, who had recently had a knee replacement operation at one point got bored of waiting for me to be declarer and had to get up and move around between rounds. This was one of the stranger auctions (and frustrating result) at our table.
N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP
I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for takeout. What I don't understand is the 2NT bid by East. If 2NT is making would it not be best to go for one down doubled in 2S and take +200?
It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S whilst 2NT was only one down for a slightly below average score NS. Four pairs were in 2S, three making 9 or 10 tricks, one going one down. One other EW pair went one down in 2NT, and one EW pair made 1NT with an overtrick.
It seems the winning NS action is to double 2NT and get +200. I'm not sure I can find this with my manky five count, and I'm not sure North is quite strong enough to go for it. What do you think, bad luck or could we have judged better?

I don't know whether it is rational or not, but as
someone who has been repeatedly victimized by "silly"
defensive auctions to 2NT down 1 I would double on
the North cards. All I need to find is partner with the
spade 10 or declarer with a Axx. Or, who knows,
responder may actually have a decent raise.

I can't see the opponents taking 9 tricks and if
they take exactly 8 when stopped in 2NT we are likely
to be in the cellar anyhow.

Fred.

[Bruce Evans]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.
Game all, North dealer
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987
For a simultaneous I was expecting the deals to be less biased than

normal, however my South hand was sadly typical of the rubbish I was
picking up (average HCP count 8.92). My partner, who had recently had a
knee replacement operation at one point got bored of waiting for me to
be declarer and had to get up and move around between rounds. This was
one of the stranger auctions (and frustrating result) at our table.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP
I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God

down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for
takeout. What I don't understand is the 2NT bid by East. If 2NT is
making would it not be best to go for one down doubled in 2S and take
+200?

East knows to take out take out doubles unless he has a trump stack (maybe
AQJ9). 2NT was an error unless it is a scramble to a minor and then
passing it was an error. East should take out to 3D. 2NT is needed to
scramble if East has 2 4 card suits, but it is also needed as natural on
some 4333 hands. This depends on how off-shape the takeout X might be.
1=4=4=4 is not an ideal shape since it is not likely to find a better spot
than a 4-4 for at the 3 level. 5431 is better but then delicate methods
are needed to find the best fit. You don't want East bidding 3D on a
mere KQJx when you have only 3 diamonds and a 5-3 fit elsewhere.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S whilst 2NT was

only one down for a slightly below average score NS. Four pairs were in
2S, three making 9 or 10 tricks, one going one down. One other EW pair
went one down in 2NT, and one EW pair made 1NT with an overtrick.

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
It seems the winning NS action is to double 2NT and get +200. I'm not

sure I can find this with my manky five count, and I'm not sure North is
quite strong enough to go for it. What do you think, bad luck or could
we have judged better?
I don't know whether it is rational or not, but as
someone who has been repeatedly victimized by "silly"
defensive auctions to 2NT down 1 I would double on
the North cards. All I need to find is partner with the
spade 10 or declarer with a Axx. Or, who knows,
responder may actually have a decent raise.
I can't see the opponents taking 9 tricks and if
they take exactly 8 when stopped in 2NT we are likely
to be in the cellar anyhow.

Doubling 2NT by North is clear unless 2S is usually this weak. It is
almost reasonable to double at imps and expect to score 500 or 800, but
at matchpoints North has to double to try to score +200 instead of an
almost sure +110 or +140 in 2S.

However, if North doubles then East might wake up and bid 3D. North has
to double this too, but it makes 3 or 4 very easily. South should't like
playing either 2NTX or 3DX doubled and might take out 3DX. Then you should
score at best -100 for 3S if East is still asleep. This still beats -110
or -130 for 3D but won't score well. -200 for 3SX seems most likely. You
were in the cellar as soon as West found the double of 2S provided East was
awake -- an unclear action, but letting the opponents play at the 2 level
when both sides have about 20 HCP usually loses.

Bruce

[Charles Brenner]

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
Here is a hand from a simultaneous pairs last Thursday which left me baffled.
Game all, North dealer
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987
N E S W
1S 1NT 2S X
P 2NT AP
I thought the X was penalties and I was about to get the hand of God down on me for my aggressive raise, but it turned out it was for takeout. What I don't understand is the 2NT bid by East. If 2NT is making would it not be best to go for one down doubled in 2S and take +200?
It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S

They do? I don't see it. I'm not suggesting the double-dummy trump lead. Even on the obvious diamond lead why can't it be beat?

If declarer wins the diamond and immediately takes two ruffs in dummy, the defense can take the next 5 tricks: sA, hK, diamond, and cK,A. Then a third club promotes a defensive trump trick.

[Steve Willner]

Post by Charles Brenner

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987

...

Post by Charles Brenner

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S

(by North)

Post by Charles Brenner
They do? I don't see it. I'm not suggesting the double-dummy trump lead.
Even on the obvious diamond lead why can't it be beat?

Why can't North take four spades, two hearts, D-A, and one D ruff?
Dummy's S-T9 protects against a trump promotion, at least if declarer
doesn't take the D ruff too early. Or am I missing something? I'm
thinking D-A at trick 1, then H-A, H-J.

I'm not even sure 2S goes down (double-dummy) on a trump lead. Can East
be thrown in with a diamond to lead a heart into the AJ? I think the
defense can succeed if West wins the first club and leads a heart, but
I'm not at all sure that's either necessary or sufficient.

[Bruce Evans]

Post by Steve Willner

Post by Charles Brenner

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987

...

Post by Charles Brenner

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S

(by North)

2NT is losing since it is down (and 2S is also down), unless E/W take it
out. I think it should be to scramble with 2 4 card side suits (certainly
not a double stopper and 4+ spades), so West might take it out. East
actually has an easy takeout to 3D and should be reached if West takes out
to 3C. 3D makes easily and scores better than 2S down 1. Not as well as
2SX down 1, but leaving in the takeout double is too close for me. The
double is clearly takeout even with no agreement since East has 4.

Post by Steve Willner

Post by Charles Brenner
They do? I don't see it. I'm not suggesting the double-dummy trump lead.
Even on the obvious diamond lead why can't it be beat?

Why can't North take four spades, two hearts, D-A, and one D ruff?
Dummy's S-T9 protects against a trump promotion, at least if declarer
doesn't take the D ruff too early. Or am I missing something? I'm
thinking D-A at trick 1, then H-A, H-J.

That works, but North has to be awake to do it.

Post by Steve Willner
I'm not even sure 2S goes down (double-dummy) on a trump lead. Can East
be thrown in with a diamond to lead a heart into the AJ? I think the
defense can succeed if West wins the first club and leads a heart, but
I'm not at all sure that's either necessary or sufficient.

It goes down easily on a trump lead. Also on a club lead and trump switch.
I think any trump lead works.

The trump lead prevents the A then J of hearts play working. If
declarer plays that early, then he gets no ruffs in dummy. If he takes
ruffs early then he loses control as in the line already considered.
If declarer doesn't play the hearts early, then there is no endplay
because East has lots of diamond cards to exit in. The KQJT of diamonds
are either winners after forcing out the Ace and drawing trumps, or force
dummy to ruff too often.

Bruce

[a***@yahoo.co.uk]

Post by Bruce Evans

Post by Steve Willner

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
KQJ72
AJ
A862
T6
3 A854
T964 K53
9743 KQJT
A543 K2
T96
Q872
5
QJ987

...

Post by a***@yahoo.co.uk
It turns out that 2NT is the winning action. NS make 2S

(by North)

2NT is losing since it is down (and 2S is also down), unless E/W take it
out. I think it should be to scramble with 2 4 card side suits (certainly
not a double stopper and 4+ spades), so West might take it out. East
actually has an easy takeout to 3D and should be reached if West takes out
to 3C. 3D makes easily and scores better than 2S down 1. Not as well as
2SX down 1, but leaving in the takeout double is too close for me. The
double is clearly takeout even with no agreement since East has 4.
Bruce

You are right, 2S is down one double dummy. However what can theoretically be done and what everyone else actually does can be two different things. Of the four other pairs in spades NS, only one went down, the other three made 9 or 10 tricks. Given that the EW pair at our table was one of the weaker pairs and my partner is one of the better players at that club, it is likely he would have made 2S if he had a chance to play it. Hence the 2NT bid won the partscore battle at our table.