MASTER SOLVERS ' CLUB
A FEATURE FROM THE BRIDGE WORLD
This hand is taken from The Bridge World , a journal for expert players , founded in 1929 . There has never been a set of unanimous responses to the Master Solvers ' Club bidding problem .
You are sitting South . Your side is vulnerable and the opponents are not . East is the dealer and passes . You open 1♥ . West overcalls 2♦ , and partner , North , makes a takeout double . East passes again . What call would you make now ?
Vul : N-S Dlr : East
2♦
♠ ♥ ♦ ♣ w
Dbl n
s A K J A K Q 5 3 J 8 4 2 4
1♥ e dealer Pass Pass
?
You have a good hand – 18 high-card points plus 1 length point for the fivecard heart suit . Since partner ’ s takeout double shows some values , it would appear a game contract is likely . But where might the game be – spades , hearts , or notrump ?
There are two ways to find out . About half the panel choose to get partner ’ s input . Cuebidding 3♦ has the most votes . It shows a strong hand and , at the same time , gives partner a chance to show preference for a suit or notrump . Holding only a three-card suit , the ♠A-K-J , two panelists make a surprising spade bid , hoping there is an eight-card fit .
A quarter of the panel decide to take charge and bid 3NT directly . The 3♦ cuebid , in their opinion , won ’ t make things better or easier . In fact , it would be awkward if partner bids 4♣ , bypassing 3NT , or bids 3♠ with only four spades .
Not totally assured where the best game contract belongs , the rest of the panel pass , certain they can defeat 2♦ doubled . The vulnerability , however , makes passing a risky call if there ’ s a game . The bottom line : you ’ ll need a plus 800 to compensate for a vulnerable game .
Let ’ s see what the experts have to say , starting with those who pass .
GARY COHLER : Pass . Risky , but could be a big winner . We might take a lot of tricks and might have no game . I hope partner doesn ’ t have five or six spades and a heart fit . The hand has a lot of defense , and bidding the right strain and level requires too much guesswork .
CHIP MARTEL : Pass . Chance for a good penalty and no clear route to game .
MICHAEL ROSENBERG : Pass . Currently , players are going a bit nuts with space-consuming overcalls , especially at favorable vulnerability . So take advantage . It ’ s not as if South has an ideal bid anyway .
75 % of the panel can ’ t imagine passing and missing a vulnerable game . Cuebidding 3♦ is one option , but will partner ’ s response make it clear what the final contract should be ?
STEVE GARNER : 3♦ . Some will pass but , if we are on for game , plus 800 will be difficult to achieve . My plan is to bid 3NT over 3♥ , 4♠ over 3♠ , pass 3NT , or bid 4♥ over 4♣ . A cuebid in this type of competitive auction should show a strong , flexible hand .
BART BRAMLEY : 3♦ . Game force . Maybe I will be able to guess better after hearing from partner . I ’ ll bid 3NT over 3♥ , implying doubt , raise 3♠ , or bid 4♠ over the dreaded 4♣ .
JOHN CARRUTHERS : 3♦ . I can hardly do less , although I rate to have an equally-difficult problem at each of my next turns to bid .
Since partner made a negative double , two panelists decide to show spade support with three good spades , instead of four spades .
CARL HUDECEK : 2♠ . Rebidding 2♥ would be inadequate , and bidding 3♥ might cause us to miss our best game , which may be 4♠ .
ROBERT WOLFF : 3♠ . It ’ s a guess which major suit will play better . I guess spades without confidence .
The rest of the panel have their minds made up and bid 3NT directly .
JEFF RUBENS : 3NT . Too strong a hand not to take strong action .
HARRY STEINER : 3NT . It ’ s unlikely right-hand opponent will be able to gain the lead for a diamond through . If hearts don ’ t run , maybe partner ’ s spades will see me through .
BRUCE ROGOFF : 3NT . With no raise or redouble from East , 3NT is a strong favorite . Passing won ’ t score well at these colors , nor can I afford to investigate a 5-3 spade fit via 3♦ , as partner might thereby be forced to bid past 3NT with only four spades and club length .
BETTER BRIDGE CONCLUSION : 3NT . Since partner didn ’ t support hearts and didn ’ t bid spades , it is likely partner has some length in diamonds . Partner should also have enough length and strength in clubs to protect that suit , so game in notrump figures to be the best spot . Defending 2♦ doubled could be the last plus , but let ’ s go for the vulnerable game bonus .
BRIDGE WORLD SUMMARY 3♦ = 11 3NT = 7 Pass = 7 2♠ 1 3♠ 1
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4 Audrey Grant ’ s Better Bridge | November-December 2021