TGRs Duplicate 7 June 2010 - Bidding Tip
ª
©
¨
§
Board 4
West Deals
Both Vul
ª
©
¨
§
J2
AKQ95
K J 10 7 2
6
AKQ954
J
6
A Q 10 8 3
N
W
E
S
ª
©
¨
§
TGRs Duplicate 7 June 2010 - Defensive Tip
ª
©
¨
§
Board 7
South Deals
Both Vul
ª
©
¨
§
ª
©
¨
§
86
10 6 4 3
A9853
KJ
N
W
South
Pass
Weak or Strong Michaels
E
S
ª
©
¨
§
10 7 3
872
Q4
97542
NS 4ª; EW 4©; EW 4¨; NS 4§
West
North
East
1©
2©
3©
4©
4ª
All pass
95
J8543
10 8
8743
AKJ32
AKQ6
Q9
96
ª
©
¨
§
10 8 7 4
10 9
KJ72
AK2
Q6
72
A6543
Q J 10 5
N 4N; N 4ª; S 3N; S 3ª; N 3©; S 2©; NS 3¨; NS 3§
West
North
East
South
Pass
Pass
1ª
Pass
1 NT
Pass
3©
Pass
3 NT
All pass
A useful convention that was devised in the USA by Mr Michael
Michaels (1924-1966) Michaels was first used to show weak hands
with 2 suits. An extension in play today is to show strong 2-suited
as well. On this hand following a 1H opening from West North can
bid 2H to show spades and a minor. Initially the bid shows a weak
hand, but when North bids again s/he confirms a very good hand.
South can still elect to play in a minor
Even playing a 19-20 2NT opening North should consider this hand
best suited to a one level opening. Why? When more than 70% of
your values and cards are located in 2 suits play NT only after you
have explored a fit for one of your suits first.
Good discipline and a textureless diamond suit favour a 1NT
response to North's 1S opening. This means West will be on lead to
the final 3NT contract. Which minor to lead?
Advanced: On this auction neither side knows about their minor fit
- this stops both sides finding the 5 level inexpensive sacrifice. A
better bid from West might have been 4¨, but does it give too
much information to North South about their suit? On this hand it
would work well, but will it always?
TIP: If there is little chance to set up your suit in time to cause
damage, consider leading the shorter suit in the hope of finding
riches with partner.
TGRs Duplicate 7 June 2010 - Play Tip
ª
©
¨
§
Board 9
North Deals
E-W Vul
ª
©
¨
§
A7
A82
A 10 5
10 7 6 5 3
Q943
Q53
Q
AJ842
N
W
E
S
ª
©
¨
§
ª
©
¨
§
K J 10 2
94
K9742
Q9
865
K J 10 7 6
J863
K
EW 3¨; EW 1N; EW 1ª; NS 1©; EW 1§
West
North
East
South
1§
1¨
1©
2§
2©
Pass
Pass
3¨
All pass
Lead: § K
In 3¨, West has to play carefully to make 9 tricks. In isolation, the
percentage play in the trump suit leads declarer to lose 2 tricks.
However, on this hand East can guarantee his/her contract by
listening to the bidding. And then controlling how and when
North/South communicate defensively.
—————————————————————————————
cont from Board 7
When you are not sure which unbid suit to lead critically assess
your hand shape and possible entries. On Board 7 you will not beat
the contract, but playing matchpoints you can gain because
declarer cannot establish 10 tricks without first conceding four to
your side! But only if you lead a diamond. Notice if you do not lead
a diamond partner cannot open the suit him/herself without
conceding 11 tricks.
South will lead the CK. And then switch to J©. This is a clue to
declarer that s/he holds only one club. The play to the first 3 tricks
is crucial - on this hand you cannot touch trumps early or your
contract will fail. Nothing is guaranteed - but the more you listen to
the clues given to you in the bidding, the higher your chances of
success. South cannot have only 2 spades or North would have
opened 1ª. And if South holds four spades he/she would likely
double 1¨. If South has only 1 club, and at most 3 spades, s/he
must hold 9 cards in the red suits. Place the missing spade honour
with North who has opened the bidding and holds more spades
than their partner.
Now you must stop the opponents gaining a trump promotion in
clubs. If you draw trumps after ruffing a spade you concede a
trump promotion and can't avoid a trump loser - you must exit a
heart instead - North South can do nothing! If they exit a trump you
are back on track. If they exit a low club declarer should discard a
low spade - this play is called throwing a loser on a loser. South will
have to ruff but gives away his/her trump trick as you can now cash
the K¨ then finesse to avoid a trump loser. If North returns a high
club you can ruff, South will overruff but you can now draw trumps
starting with the K¨ and your 10C is established for the 9th trick.
Well done!
Tip: Think about how you as declarer can break defensive
communication lines to win more!