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Bidding Problem #11, April-May 06: In this month's hand, submitted by Warren Rosner, our panelists were given a near Yarborough and were forced by partner to make a difficult decision:
 9xxxx
 xx
 xxx
 QJx
Matchpoints, both sides vul. LHO opens 2 spades, partner doubles, RHO passes
and you bid 2NT*(lebensohl), LHO passes and partner bids 3 spades. RHO
passes and it is now your call.
Voting:
3 no trump: 5 votes
4: 4 votes
This month's discussion primarily centered around whether or not our holding of 9 fifth of spades along with partner's possible holdings in the suit would constitute a stopper for 3 no trump. That said, are there then 8 other fast winners? A slim majority of the panelists think so and bid the no trump game. Assuming the small risk of AKQJTx with lefty or a void in partner's hand, Cliff Nebel, Nancy Moleworth, Nancy Widman, Peter Kalat and Pat Callahan took the majority stance. Whenever partner has a stiff spade and RHO any stiff honor, either the 9 holds up or the suit blocks. Jason Fuhrman thinks the chance of AKQJTx is near zero, but is only willing to chance 3 NT at imps and bids 4 clubs here. Rick Goldstein and Laura Brill also bid 4 clubs thinking that at least 5 spade tricks are going to the opps. Joan Gerard also bids 4 clubs but discusses treatments that might come into play here. If playing leaping michaels, then this sequence would not ask for a spade stopper as a direct 3 spades over the opening 2 spade bid would do that. If playing regular michaels then the delayed 3 spade bid (as here) might be looking for a stopper, but she doesn't feel that is the message here and joins the 4 club bidders. Nancy Molesworth and Nancy Widman both mention that the auction may not be over after their 3 no trump bids and both are rooting for partner to bid more (but not in NT!) showing their own long suit. Nancy Widman will run to 4 clubs if doubled and Nancy Molesworth requests a boring 4-4-3-2 hand next month!
-Ed Z. |
