What should I bid? (December 2019)

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What should I bid? (December 2019)

The best submission for December came from Moira Cunningham. She wins a voucher of $30 funded by TBIB, toward any purchase made at the Bridge Shop or Paul Lavings Bridgegear.

Teams

EW Vul
E Dealer
7 6
J 9 7 6 4
Q J
A 9 8 7
 
9 8
A 8 3 2
A 10 9 6 2
6 3
[ 6 ] A K Q 10 5 2
K Q 10
4
K Q 10
  J 4 3
5
K 8 7 5 3
J 5 4 2
 

West North East South
    2 Pass
3 Pass 3 Pass
4 Pass 4NT Pass
5 Pass 6 Pass

2=21HCP or 3 losers
3=8+ HCP and at least 5
4=Showing 5 and 4
4NT=RKC for Hearts
5=2 Keycards no Q of Hearts

We made 10 tricks. Which is all you can make in Hearts.
My question is how should we have bid to 6 which makes 12 tricks. My partner and I don’t seem eye to eye on what the correct auction should be, as we’ve come across different teachings. Happy to take on board your thoughts.
Thanks Andy

Hi Moira,

2 auctions can be difficult to handle when you have good hands because the 2 opening itself already preempts the auction a little. Although I slightly prefer a 1 opening with the East hand (i.e. if partner passes 1, it’s unlikely we would have missed a game – though possible, but I’d rate it unlikely), let’s say we do open 2 which is fine. With the West hand, I would just start with a 2 waiting response. Jumping to 3 is the most preemptive bid, and it is hindering opener from showing their suit(s) at a convenient level. I prefer to play 2 as waiting rather than a negative bid (some people like to also play a 2 response as a “double negative”, showing 0-4 HCP and no ace). My auction would be something like:
2 – 2
2 – 3
3 – ?
Now that opener has shown 6+, the spade fit will then have been found. Although Westt hasn’t yet expressed much about their points, the slam can probably be reached from here as responder has a fit, a doubleton (potentially ruffing value), and two aces to boot. Responder might now just jump to 4NT to RKCB in spades.

Hope that helps,
Andy

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