The Tao of Gaming

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Amazing Session -- Round #8


 S:AJ642
 H:AJ9
 D:T753
 C:7
 S:Q985
 H:53
 D:AKJ
 C:JT64
 S:KT83
 H:KQT752
 D:Q94
 C:--
 S:--
 H:64
 D:862
 C:AKQ98532

Both vulnerable. Dealer was west, I made a 3rd seat opener of 1H. South jumped to 3C, passed back to me and I doubled back in, figuring I could stand any suit. Of course, I can't really stand 3 clubs doubled, which floated and made. -670 was a zero. (The top was +790, four hearts doubled making). Bidding 3H would have worked out, but it felt wrong to give up on spades or even diamonds. Perhaps partner should bid 3S ... looking only at my hand (East) I'm still not sure.

In the next hand, I opened 1 diamond with a flat 3-3-4-3 13 count, and got to play it.

 S:AKQ2
 H:T84
 D:Q96
 C:T63
 S:JT976
 H:765
 D:J82
 C:95
 S:543
 H:J32
 D:AK43
 C:KQ4
 S:8
 H:AKQ9
 D:T75
 C:AJ872

Three tables played in 1 diamond, off three. Getting to game isn't easy at all. I must admit, I'd be very tempted as South to overcall 1 Heart (for the lead direction value), or for north to balance 1 spade. Solid four card suits are biddable. North could also double, which is more flexible...

One poor pair had west make a weak jump shift into spades, and now N-S suddenly know what to do — take the money. Anyway, even among the N/S that bid, most missed their game, although one pair wound up in 4 Hearts (which made five...west must have led a spade). A touch over 4.5 match points.

The last hand was a relatively flat 3N.

Update: Fixed first hand ...