rainbow@ihuxe.UUCP (08/02/84)
E)comments from the "expert panel"
C)comments from the "contestants"
R)comments form yours truly, me.
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Hand 3) S:5 N E S W | VUL:ALL | IMPS
H:AT7 1S P 1NT* P
D:KT76 2H P ?
C:K9854 | *forcing NT
8 bid 2NT:10 pts
4 bid 3H:9 pts
2 bid 4H:8 pts
2 bid pass:7 pts
1 bid 3C:6 pts
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E)2NT-Can't afford to miss the possibility of a vulnerable game at imps.
E)2NT-You must take another call and you do not raise secondary suits
on three card support.
C)2NT-Describe your hand. A minor suit tap will destroy a 4-3 heart fit.
R)Good intermediate values should swing the choice to NT. Heart leads
could look embarrassing in a heart contract when your looking for spade
ruffs to get your extra tricks.
E)3H-Hearts should play well
C)3H-no trump will play viley
C)3H-invite with your bad values. Partner can explore with 3NT holding the
correct values and shape and strength.
C)3H-there are no tricks in no trump.
R)Give partner any old normal holding like KQTxx-KQxx-AJx-x in which he'd
accept a game try. Id rather be in NT given a choice. Opponents wont
get any tricks either without setting up some for myself(it will be a
battle for the crucial trick). 4H on the other hand doesnt have much hope.
C)Pass-this is a good contract. Game is unlikely.
R)A good matchpoint bid perhaps.
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Generally, you cannot afford to miss a vulnerable game at IMPS, so you
stretch for it at all costs. The difference in opinion stems from how.
A no trump contract was given a slight edge as the better possibility.
No doubt the intermediate cards played a roll in the decision. A 4-3 fit is
better only when the short trump hand can take care of the tap. In this case
the shortness is in partners suit making its use minimal in a suit contract.
No trump may not play well, but there are a good number of holdings that
will be beneficial. And also, the defense will have a tough time coming
to five tricks themselves in order to set you. A 4 heart contract that makes
when 3NT doesnt is not easy to find. Matter-in-fact, its tough to make 4H
contracts, period.