Fun fact: that 102 year old is older than the game of contract bridge itself (which was only created in 1925, although of course there are older variations such as auction bridge that it was developed from).
I think you should have taken two rounds of trumps first, so that if the club got ruffed, that guards against the short club also being the short diamond (if they ruff then they are using their natural trump trick which was always going to win). You would have gone down if W had 3D after E ruffs on the play.
I think i would have played: 0. Take with the A o S, 1. Draw 2 rounds of trump, 2. Cash AK of H and discard a C, 3. Play the Q of C and a small C to the K, and play low if W ruffs. 4. If no opponents ruff, ruff a C in S, which might be overruffed. 5. Claim the rest of the tricks. Of course you need 'some luck' too at this way of playing, like the opponents not ruffing your K of C!
It helps if you have agreed with partner before hand the meaning of these bids. 2S could also be interpreted as a responders reverse which is also forcing.
A little off topic, but might be worth mentioning 5-5 in the blacks. I prefer opening that 1C since clubs is higher of the "touching" suits, and keeps the auction low.
A fun session! Thanks Suzanne and Bajir.
This conversation was really helpful. Thanks.
I have been taught that the first response to 4th suit forcing is to show shape. So here I would respond 3C over 2S to show at least 5-5 immediately.
That's what I think too.
Great topic. 4th suit is tricky in some auctions.
Fun fact: that 102 year old is older than the game of contract bridge itself (which was only created in 1925, although of course there are older variations such as auction bridge that it was developed from).
I think you should have taken two rounds of trumps first, so that if the club got ruffed, that guards against the short club also being the short diamond (if they ruff then they are using their natural trump trick which was always going to win). You would have gone down if W had 3D after E ruffs on the play.
I think i would have played: 0. Take with the A o S, 1. Draw 2 rounds of trump, 2. Cash AK of H and discard a C, 3. Play the Q of C and a small C to the K, and play low if W ruffs. 4. If no opponents ruff, ruff a C in S, which might be overruffed. 5. Claim the rest of the tricks. Of course you need 'some luck' too at this way of playing, like the opponents not ruffing your K of C!
It helps if you have agreed with partner before hand the meaning of these bids. 2S could also be interpreted as a responders reverse which is also forcing.
Rather than bidding 2 NT opener should bid 3 C to show her distribution.
in the UK the north and south are the other way around too?
A little off topic, but might be worth mentioning 5-5 in the blacks. I prefer opening that 1C since clubs is higher of the "touching" suits, and keeps the auction low.
4th suit forcing - do you have a stopper in this 4th suit? If you do, please bid NT
FSF
I really wonder if 6!d is a winner if West doesn’t ruff the clubs.
This convention must be used by previous partnership agreement, I believe.
Would W cause more confusion ducking the Club? Not sure just how declarer would proceed.
I believe it goes similarly. Win, ruff a club in dummy. The defensive club ruff is from a natural trump winner.
3D should set trumps and make a slam try so 3H as a control is obligatory
4C should deny a first or second round control in either major suit ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I really wonder if 6!d is a winner if West doesn’t ruff the clubs.