bob@rlgvax.UUCP (Mr. Fun) (09/15/83)
I enjoyed the Bidding Contest and would like to see more of them. I might mention that this type of contest is a regular feature in the bridge magazine "The Bridge World". This style of contest has been copied many times, by many groups, including the local Northern Virginia Bridge Association in their Newsletter. I do want to make one comment about Problem #7 in the B1 contest. I'll repeat the problem here for reference: Hand 7: South S W N E matchpoints S:AQJ74 -- P P P Vul vs Vul H:AJ86 1S P 4S P D:A ? C:AJ8 The scoring given indicated that the correct actions were either 4NT or a direct 6S. The comment with the problem stated that "partner should have 5 spades, singleton or better distribution, and a minimum amount of points(6-9). Is this enough for slam? Probably." I agree with the observation that slam is likely if partner holds that type of hand. I would not be pleased however if partner made that bid with that hand. I admit that the hand with good trump support, a singleton, and 7-9 HCPs is hard to bid in most systems (you need a mini-splinter type bid), but that's no excuse for making a bid that shows a MUCH weaker hand. In fact, the hand that supposedly came down, (6 spades to the ten, a singleton and two queens), is about what I would expect. I admit that the singleton DIAMOND is a surprise, but it just shows why that is a good bid. If opener had a normal, weaker opening hand, the 4S call helps shut out the opponent's superior contract. Note that although declarer was unlucky to have two of three finesses lose, needing two of three finesses win isn't all that great odds, AND declarer was lucky that none of dummy's points were in diamonds, where they rated to be, giving declarer NO chance at making slam. Obviously, what this all boils down to is a defense of the all too often neglected call "PASS"! If you expect partner to have a poor hand for this bid, then there is NO excuse for turning a likely plus into a minus score. -- Bob Fabrizio ..!{seismo,mcnc,we13,allegra}!rlgvax!bob