Hand of the Week, Vol. 2 No. 15

On this deal from the Tuesday 16 June game, every East-West pair in the room renewed their memberships in Overbidders Anonymous, and paid either 200 or 300 points in dues: the results on the traveler were 3 down 2, 2NT down 3, 3 down 3, and 5 down 3.

Dealer East EW vul	Q J T 8 7 3 8 K J 3 2 J 4
6 5 4 A T 3 T 7 K 9 7 6 2		A 9 2 K 9 6 A Q 8 6 4 Q T
	K Q J 7 5 4 2 9 5 A 8 5 3

The key rule to remember on hands like this: if you don't have a fit and you don't have the values for 3NT, get out of the auction before you are in over your head. Here's the auction I like best on this deal:

West	North	East	South
		1NT	2
Double	Pass	Pass	Pass

Yes, West's double is penalty after a 1NT opening, not takeout and not "stolen bid" promising five spades. South is going for a phone number (800 with best play and defence.) Even if North runs to 2 he's headed for doubled and down two, -300.

The 5-card diamond suit and doubleton club won't stop most modern experts from opening a 15-17 1NT on East's cards, but if you play a 16-18 notrump, the most sensible auction for you is short and sweet:

West	North	East	South
		1	2
Pass	Pass	Pass

Neither East nor West has another suit to introduce, and rebidding 5-card suits at the 3-level or bidding 2NT on a hand that you deemed too weak to open 1NT is near-suicidal. Just passing out 2 and beating it undoubled would have been worth a fine score compared to going set like all the other Easts did.

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