Describing 6-5 hands
North-South have reached a very poor contract. As so often, each of the two players considers that his partner is responsible for the accident. And you, what do you think?
This month we will be looking at:
Describing 6-5 hands (dealer or responder).
Problem 1
N/S Vul.
| W | N | E | S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♦ | Pass | 2♣ | |
| Pass | 2♦ | Pass | 3NT |
The facts
3 No-Trump is doomed to go down after the obvious Spade lead, while there are eleven easy tricks in a Heart contract. Who is responsible for this accident?
Arguments
North: “I don’t understand that 3NT bid without a Spade stopper. I did think of bidding 4♥, but I thought that with only 10 HCP it was easier to get to nine tricks than to ten by relying on my two long suits.”
South: “It is not mandatory to open with 10 HCP. But above all, never showing your five-card major goes against the standard system we’re supposed to play. I bid 3NT because looking at my cards that is the only playable contract and I don’t know how to play third suit forcing after a new suit 2 over 1.”
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