We are going to shift our focus to discussing bidding strategy. On some hands we make the bid our hands indicate and let the normal course of events occur. But sometimes we hold a hand where there is some pre-planning and choices involved. You are in first seat. What do you bid?
Here is one such hand. You could open 1♠ or 4♠. Other options really aren’t viable, although pass might work out.
In making your decision the first consideration is the vulnerability. Here if you open 4♠ and are wrong undertricks are -100, and more if doubled. A certain bad score. The 2nd problem with 4♠ at the vulnerability is the opponents are more likely to bid at the five level with some distribution. They have three chances at being right:
1. It could be right if it is there hand making, or
2. It could be a profitable sacrifice, or
3. Bidding could push you to the five level, going down.
1♠ is the right bid. You don’t have to commit yourself and you can listen carefully to what the other three players are saying.
Here the bidding continues as follows, giving you another decision:
Sounds like partner doesn’t have much, but maybe long diamonds. If they bid 3NT you will not be able to beat it if they have two spade stoppers, as you have only one entry. The best chance is try and buy the contract for 3♠, or at least it may derail them from bidding 3NT, a bid you do not want to hear.
The full deal:
http://www.bridgebase.com/tools/handviewer.html?s=SA9743HAQ764DQ5C2&w=SQHKT852DA74CAKJ5&n=SK5HJ93D82CQT9743&e=SJT862HDKJT963C86&d=n&v=o&b=1
3♠ goes all pass, and you make when the opponents do not find the difficult defence to defeat this contract. As you can see 3NT will make on spade leads. They will score 4 clubs, 3 diamonds, 2 spades and 1 heart, for 10 tricks.
Lessons to Learn
1) When holding a hand that you are unsure how high to bid it is best to start low and listen.
2) A bid of 4♠ would be more desirable if you were not vul vs vul. The opponents will think twice about entering the auction vul, at the five level, and partner should know what to do later in the auction.
3) Holding the master suit is a big advantage, knowing you can always compete at the same level as the opponents.
4) Do not make a questionable negative double with north’s hand over 2♦, with a massive misfit looming, and minimum values.
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