Where Somerset sat North-South, both players chose to open the mouldy 11 count, and both Dorset Easts (I was one) decided to keep quiet. That led to North declaring 3NT, making 9 tricks at one table and 10 at the other.
Events at the other two tables were rather more exciting. Both Dorset Norths chose to pass and both Somerset Easts opened a weak 2♥, which was followed by two passes and a double from North. At one table West chose to stick in 2♥ doubled and lost 1400, while at the other table West jumped out of the frying pan into a very hot fire and lost 1700 in 3♣ doubled. All that added up to a swing of 59 imps on the board. We still lost the match, though only by 11-9.
The Somerset players involved seemed to think that their bids were normal and it was just bad luck. I may be biased, but I’m inclined to disagree. I remember a piece in one of Martin Hoffman's books where he advised against opening marginal 4441 hands - you are content if the opponents play in one of your 4-card suits and can show your hand in one bid with a take-out double on the next round if they bid your shortage. And opening 2♥ as East does not have a lot going for it because of the poor suit, adverse vulnerability and a hand playable in two other strains.
Events at the other two tables were rather more exciting. Both Dorset Norths chose to pass and both Somerset Easts opened a weak 2♥, which was followed by two passes and a double from North. At one table West chose to stick in 2♥ doubled and lost 1400, while at the other table West jumped out of the frying pan into a very hot fire and lost 1700 in 3♣ doubled. All that added up to a swing of 59 imps on the board. We still lost the match, though only by 11-9.
The Somerset players involved seemed to think that their bids were normal and it was just bad luck. I may be biased, but I’m inclined to disagree. I remember a piece in one of Martin Hoffman's books where he advised against opening marginal 4441 hands - you are content if the opponents play in one of your 4-card suits and can show your hand in one bid with a take-out double on the next round if they bid your shortage. And opening 2♥ as East does not have a lot going for it because of the poor suit, adverse vulnerability and a hand playable in two other strains.
1 comment:
Hello Bob,
You don't seem to have many comments, so I thought I'd offer one. I thought the decision whether to open the North hand is close, but it's hard to anticipate that passing would yield such spectacular dividends. I confess that, following a Pass from N, I would have opened as East - but 2D, since we play the Multi. South would probably then overcall 2H, in which case the likely N/S result is unpredictable, but probably sub-optimal. So methods, as well as judgement, play their part in determining the result. So I do think Somerset were a bit unlucky. But then, what is 59 IMPs in the Tolle...a mere bagatelle.
Best wishes, Gwynn
Post a Comment