January 2005

GAMBLING NOTRUMP - REDUX
 

Gambling notrump’s are intriguing (or perhaps frightening) because you never know what strange fate may befall until you see the dummy and the opening lead, and not always then.  Here is a live one played by experts in the 1999 World Bridge Championships in Bermuda - Brazil vs. United States.  Counting eight tricks in hand, Brazil’s Villas-Boas opened this hand at 3NT.

S) J 3

H) 10

D) A K Q 10 9 6 5 2

C) J 7

Opening 4 diamonds preemptively would be the choice of most bridge players, but then they could never get to 3NT, which could easily be the best contract whenever partner has a few well-placed stoppers.   In the case at hand, Villas-Boas’ partner had stoppers in two of the three other suits.  The entire deal was:

                                              N) Q 7 4
                                              H) A J 7 3
                                              D) 4
                                              C) K Q 8 4 2

N) K 9 6 5                                                                        N) J 3
H) 9 8 6 5                                                                         H) 10
D) J                                                                                  D) A K Q 10 9 6 5 2
C) A 10 93                                                                        C) J 3
                                              N) A 10 8 2
                                              H) K Q 4 2
                                              D) 8 7 3
                                              C) 6 5

This deal is most interesting from the view point of defense.  What should South lead?  He has no clues from the bidding, except that declarer has a long running minor suit. (He knows this because it is the standard meaning of a 3NT opener).  

South’s is to lead one of the majors.  U.S. bridge superstar Eric Rodwell opted to lead the spade ace, presumable to see the dummy while retaining the lead.  Now, seeing dummy’s spade king, Rodwell switched to a low heart, and that resulted in four heart tricks for the defense and a one-trick set.

As you can see, four diamonds is an easy contract to make, but a 3NT game is far superior - if you make it :-).  The final score was USA 506 - Brazil 288.

JOSEPHINE AND THE BRIDGE PRO
 

1) Josephine plays part-scores with 25 points and is content to make an over-trick.  Bridge Pro plays for game and doesn’t mind being set.

2) Josephine asks partner if she would like a cup of coffee.  Bridge Pro asks partner if she would like an Excedrin.

3) Josephine enjoys bridge no matter the score.  Bridge Pro almost never enjoys her game.

RESPONSES TO A 1 NT OPENER
 

Recently I was making a list of responses to a 1NT opening bid (16 to 18 points).  Brother Bud looked over my shoulder and said, “Hey that’s really useful.”  So it seems if it works for him , it may work for you too, so here they are.  Naturally these responses follow StdAm21 bidding rules.

2C:  Conventional - Stayman.  Asks for a four-card major.  Responder must have a four-card major; strength = 7+ points.
 

2D/2H:  Conventional - Jacoby Transfer.  Opener must bid the next higher suit, 2H or 2S.  Responder must have a five-card major; strength = 0 to 24 points.
 

2S:  Not used.
 

2NT:  Notrump game invitation; strength = 8 to 9 points.
 

3C/3D:  Very good suit.  Game force & slam interest; strength = 12+ points.
 

3H/3S:  Five-card suit.  Game force; strength = 10+ points.
 

3NT:  To play. 10 to 13 points.
 

4C:  Conventional - Gerber.  Asks for number of aces; strength = 16+ points.
 

4D:  Not used.
 

4H/4S:  Six-card suit.  To play; strength = 10 to 13 points.
 

4NT:  Notrump slam invitation.  Strength = 15 to 16 points.
 

5C/5D:  Six-card minor.  To play; strength = 12 to 13 points.
 

5H/5S:  Not used.
 

5NT:  Grand slam invitation.  Forcing to 6NT.
 

ANY 6- OR 7-LEVEL BID:  To play.

Note:  There is no need to memorize strength requirements.  Simply add your points to partner’s minimum to determine if you have part-score, game invitation, game, slam invitation, or slam strength.  Every thing else in a function of your distribution, keeping in mind that partner’s notrump promises at least two cards in every suit.

BridgeSnaps newsletter is produced by John S. Thomas, author of Standard American 21.