Jun 20 2010
How Bad Could It Be?
| North Deals E-W Vul |
♠ 3 ♥ 10 8 6 4 2 ♦ K 10 9 3 ♣ 8 7 3 |
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|
♠ A K Q 6 2
♥ K 9 ♦ A Q ♣ Q J 9 2 |
|
♠ J 10
♥ J 7 5 3 ♦ J 8 7 5 ♣ A K 6 |
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| ♠ 9 8 7 5 4 ♥ A Q ♦ 6 4 2 ♣ 10 5 4 |
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| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | Pass | 1 ♠ | |
| Pass | Pass | Dbl | Pass |
| Pass | Pass |
| 1 ♠ x by South |
On the first hand of the match, Lance held the South hand in third seat. He was white on red and decided to open a very light 1S. He knows the opponents likely have a game, so he might as well make it a little harder on them by opening the bidding. Our side might also be able to compete in spades if we have a fit. Besides, what can happen? They’re vulnerable; it’s unlikely they’ll try to punish him.
Except. The bidding continues pass-pass,East reopens, and West is content to sit. I give some thought to pulling with my paltry collection, but i have no idea what suit is best or if it would be any better. I finally pass, reasoning, how bad can this be? If partner can manage three tricks, that’s only down four for -800, which would be a loss against their vully game, but minor. I pass and optimistically hope for down four.
West leads the ♣Q, which holds. She continues a club to her partner’s King. He leads the ♠JT, cashes the ♣A and exits a diamond. West wins the diamond Ace, and commences pulling trumps. Joy. She has another club to cash and exits with the ♦Q. Declarer wins the ♦K (we’re in!) and plays a heart, hoping to finesse East for the ♥K. Alas, he shows out (having pitched all his hearts on the spade and club winners), so he goes up with the Ace and concedes the last trick to the offside heart King. The opponents have made five spades on defense, chalking up +1100.
It was of course very unlucky that my hand was so bleak. Still, it’s a good story, and now we know why you’re not supposed to open these types of hands, even white on red.
22 Length Points
23 Shortage Points
23 Support Points
6 Controls
4 Quick Tricks
3 Losers