Words

Hi all,

Thanks again for dropping by, it has been a while. I hope you are well. Just to give you a few updates: switched jobs, moved out of Amsterdam, proud owner of a 50+ year old gorgeous wisteria, recovered from covid, my Spanish improves little by little, planning to attend the regional in Puerto Vallarta later this year, and current wood shortages impede our plans for getting a sauna. Oh .. those first world struggles I have to endure!

Here’s a nice deal where Kees and I were beating the drums like old times:

South
K976
AKJ43
A654

Sitting 3rd hand I’m contemplating whether I’ll slightly upgrade this hand to a strong or whether a natural approach is better. Kees opens a hazy (like my favorite IPA) 1 so that problem has turned academic rather quickly.

West
North
East
South
 
11
pass
12
pass
1NT3
pass
24
pass
2NT5
pass
36
pass
37
pass
38
pass
49
pass
610
a.p.
  1. Precision, 11-13 bal, or 10-15 unbal
  2. Natural, or GF relay trigger
  3. 11-13 bal
  4. Natural GF reverse
  5. By inference a 3-2-4-4
  6. Natural, very short
  7. Honour-doubleton
  8. Probing
  9. Masterful
  10. Kapow!

Over 1NT I have my first decision, do I ask or do I show. I decide to show. Kees could have shown or support, a 5crd minor, but when he doesn’t it’s quite clear he’s 3-2-4-4. I show my third suit and we’re off to the races. While holding a dead minimum point wise, Kees sees only working cards in his hand and bypasses 3NT. I accept.

My RHO (East) tries to cash the Ace, I put down my genuine three-suiter:

North
AJ8
Q9
QJ83
J732
South
K976
AKJ43
A654

Kees ruffs the lead and tanks for a bit. He plays a small trump towards his QJ-combination, losing to the King. A trump comes back which Kees wins in dummy, West following suit. A to the Queen, another ruff, a to the Ace to draw the last trump. Claim. Scoring five trumps in total, five tricks in and two top .

North Dealer
All Vul
North
AJ8
Q9
QJ83
J732
West
QT3
872
T92
KT86
East
542
T65
K7
AQ954
South
K976
AKJ43
A654

It’s good to be back.