Many players are too quick to bid notrump. Often the auction will
offer information as to which player should declare.
Scoring: Knockout Teams (IMPs)
Hand #23
Dlr
S
Vul
None
K65
QJ10
QJ9
AJ87
Q10987
43
A64
Q94
432
A652
108753
5
AJ
K987
K2
K10632
West
North
East
South
1
1
2
Pass
2NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
BIDDING: West made a
light overcall and North stopped to consider his call. The
strength and shape of his hand suggested 3NT but the spade
overcall made North wonder if the king was enough to stop the
suit. Rather then make an immediate decision, he sought his
partner's input. The spade cue bid showed a limit or better (10+)
hand with club support. Holding a solid opener and two spade
honors, South had no trouble bidding notrump and the game was reached.
PLAY: West led a spade
that rode around to declarer's jack. It was now an easy task to
establish clubs and hearts for ten tricks. At the other table in
this team game, North jumped to 3NT over the spade overcall. East
led a spade and when declarer mis-guessed clubs, he was defeated.
North's hasty bid "wrong sided" the contract and he deserved his
fate. Of course he could have succeeded by guessing to play West
for the queen of clubs, but he should never have put the contract at
risk.
If partner did not have help in the spade suit, North might still have
arrived at 3NT, but there was no reason to make the final decision so
soon.
