Spock

Hi all

Over the years I’ve shared good, funny, absurd, warm, sad and mostly true stories. But… I don’t have them anymore. My life as I knew it is in tatters. Sad but true. So please understand I don’t have the energy or room anymore to share. Maybe things in a future far, far away will change, but certainly not before this.

Anyway…

Here’s one last deal from the All Western Pairs, I was playing with Michael Bodell (with whom I had an awesome time at the SF Nationals).

West

North

East

South

 

1NT1

pass

32

pass

… 4

pass

4

a.p.

 

 

 

1. 12-14
2. Exactly 4-card suit GF

I agree the North hand is a tad too strong for a weak NT. The alternative of opening 1 to initiate a “15-17 balanced”-sequence, didn’t feel right either. But in pairs upgrading or downgrading is less of an issue. I still have sympathy for my own call.

The next problem arises when Michael reveals we have a 9-card fit. Suddenly the value of my hand goes through the roof. On the other hand, I know Michael’s 3 call is just GF, nothing more than that. I try to visualize a couple of hands to see if slam is on, but it just seems too far away.

Is there something else? I look at my hand again, and I feel I have an opportunity for some mischief. I really don’t like to get a lead towards my hand, I have no forks. If Michael declares, his holding is protected too. Before I know it a 4 call lies on the table. Michael stares at it for a second, shrugs and bids 4.

Yay! We have a 9-card fit, and I’ve made the shorter hand declarer. This was the full deal:

Michael got a lead, and he had just enough tempo to set up a in his hand for ten tricks. At all the other tables 4 was declared from the North, and just a very select few got a defensive error to bring home the contract.

I guess I got lucky.

So, my dear reader, I bid you well. Live long and prosper.