6th April 2016

Dealer North
S
A9864
   
Love All
H
A
   
    D QJ109732
   
    C -
   
S
Q753
    S
K2
H
Q10
    H
KJ95
D
-
    D
K65
C
AJ109853
    C
KQ42
    S
J10
   
    H
876432
   
    D
A84
   
    C
76
   


This deal is from a recent league match between St Titus (Michael Byrne) and Grasshoppers (Alec Smalley).

This was one of the few good boards for the St Titus team.  In both rooms North opened his freakish hand one diamond and South elected to respond with a weak jump shift in hearts showing around 3-7 points and a six card suit.  The suit quality leaves much to be desired, responding one heart and giving preference to diamonds later is an alternative.  Here paths diverged when the West player in the first room overcalled three clubs.  Now North bid spades at the three level and East (having kept quiet on his 15 count up to now) bid the obvious game.  South now re-evaluated his hand, clearly North is at least 6-5 in diamonds and spades and South's fitting honours and diamond length will be of use.  There is also some danger that three notrump will be cold with a diamond contract a cheap save.  As it happens three notrump is not making though five clubs is easy.  North with extras bid game and East did very well not to double that as it made.  In the other room West did not compete with three clubs and the bidding died out in three diamonds.

South
West
North
East


1D Pass
2H 3C 3S 3NT
4D Pass
5D Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass



South
West
North
East


1D Pass
2H Pass 2S Pass
3D Pass
Pass Pass