Hi Dom, Thanks for the video. I have 2 questions for you: 1. Had N-S been vulnerable, would you have passed? 2. Would you recommend opening strong 1NT with a singleton ace of a minor? Thanks, Toto
Hiya Toto, 1) I assume you mean would I have passed as South when 3C came back round to me. If N/S were vulnerable, I would certainly have considered pass but I still think double would be the correct bid. South's hand is just too good to let the opponents get away with pinching the contract in clubs. 2) I would not recommend normally opening a strong NT with a singleton Ace as it is skews your bidding later. I think it is easier to just bid your shape naturally. The only time you might consider this option is if your natural bidding would be awkward/difficult and that would only be the case with a 4441 hand. So I would perhaps consider opening a strong NT with a singleton Ace if it was 4441, but even then just opening 1 of your minor seems like it would work well most of the time anyway. Hope this helps, Dom
Ironically, I think the best outcome for N/S could be to leave the double in, as even if E/W go only one off they would make 200 as E/W are vulnerable.
Hi Martin, Yes, it could work out to leave the double in, but with 3 small clubs South is never going to do that! As it happens, I think 3C can make for E/W as they should lose only 2 diamonds, 1 heart and 1 spade (ruffing spades in the dummy). Therefore leaving 3C in doubled could be a disastrous score for N/S! Dom
Great lesson . Thanks
Hi Dom,
Thanks for the video. I have 2 questions for you:
1. Had N-S been vulnerable, would you have passed?
2. Would you recommend opening strong 1NT with a singleton ace of a minor?
Thanks,
Toto
Hiya Toto,
1) I assume you mean would I have passed as South when 3C came back round to me. If N/S were vulnerable, I would certainly have considered pass but I still think double would be the correct bid. South's hand is just too good to let the opponents get away with pinching the contract in clubs.
2) I would not recommend normally opening a strong NT with a singleton Ace as it is skews your bidding later. I think it is easier to just bid your shape naturally. The only time you might consider this option is if your natural bidding would be awkward/difficult and that would only be the case with a 4441 hand. So I would perhaps consider opening a strong NT with a singleton Ace if it was 4441, but even then just opening 1 of your minor seems like it would work well most of the time anyway.
Hope this helps,
Dom
Had the defenders not interfered in the bidding, would this be a 2D contract, which would make, or would N-S try something else?
No, you would not have found 2♦️. Bidding would have gone 1❤️ - 1NT and then there is probably a choice between pass, 2❤️ or 2♠️.
That 3 club bid was the killer! Though even then declarer was incredibly unlucky. The 3 Club bid nonetheless paved the way.
I agree with all of the above! The likely end contract would have been 1NT, if E/W had not intervened.
Dom
Ironically, I think the best outcome for N/S could be to leave the double in, as even if E/W go only one off they would make 200 as E/W are vulnerable.
Hi Martin,
Yes, it could work out to leave the double in, but with 3 small clubs South is never going to do that! As it happens, I think 3C can make for E/W as they should lose only 2 diamonds, 1 heart and 1 spade (ruffing spades in the dummy). Therefore leaving 3C in doubled could be a disastrous score for N/S!
Dom