Acol at BBO
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Acol at BBO
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| We were in dire straits in a Pairs Match at this
point. We were approximately 10 IMPs down on the 9th board of
10. At this stage of any match, dodgy 3NT contracts begin to spring up like weeds on a recently-mowed lawn. |
| E-W
vulnerable Dealer North |
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 A K K 9 6 5 4 Q J 10 8 J 8
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| 10 9 6 5 2
J 2 A 5 K 5 4 3
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8 7 3 A Q 10 8 3 6 4 3 2 A
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| Q J 4 7 K 9 7 Q 10 9 7 6 2
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| Lead: J |
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| North tarrow 1 2NT Pass Pass |
East slothy Pass Pass X |
South 1eyedjack 1NT 3NT Pass |
West aisha Pass Pass Pass |
| My personal view is that with a singleton (or worse a
void) in a bid
major, a 1 NT bid should never be considered. In this
situation, there was a strong possibility that North-South could have
had five hearts between them, exposed to the opposition as North would
be dummy. Although slightly weak, 2 would be my
preference. There is excellent support for a diamond or spade
contract and of course, I wouldn't be adverse to the idea that partner
might raise clubs. 2NT by North is an overbid. There seems little possibility of setting up the hearts suit. South can have a maximum of 10 points, which is barely enough to support hearts and stop the club suit. Also, with the prospective NT contract in South's hand, the heart suit has suddenly become horribly vulnerable to attack. The only sensible bids are to pass or bid 2 .Even, expecting 15 to 17 points in North's hand, 3NT is still an overbid by South but I can an easily imagine a scenario where the clubs can be run off to support this nonsense. Disbelieving North-South's lies, East doubled. The contract still had a faint chance at this point. West could hardly be faulted for leading a low club and South should have been able to scramble for 2 extra tricks over 5 clubs and the AK of spades. However, the double alerted West that everything was not how it seemed and the J was placed on
the table to dummy's king and East's
ace. If the contract was 2NT, South would have had the
opportunity to duck two rounds of hearts, safeguarding the suits but
there was simply no room for manoeuvre. Spotting an
absolutely safe return, East led back a spade, hoping that West could
continue the assault on the meagre hearts suit. The attempt
to set up the clubs suit, gave West that opportunity which was accepted
with glee.3 down doubled. -500 points, 10.5 IMPs. Game over. |