Bidding Gadgetry
The Cynic likes to play lots of bidding gadgets. Like many players these days, Cy views conventions as an effortless way to achieve good results.
In a team match, Cy and his partner were using the “Gambling 3NT” opening: Cy’s 3NT promised a solid seven-card minor with little or no outside strength. If North thought 3NT would be a losing contract, he would run to 4♣, and Cy would convert to 4♦ if that was his suit.
| Dlr: South | ♠ K J 9 4 | |||||||||
| Vul: Both | ♥ K 8 2 | |||||||||
| ♦ 8 3 | ||||||||||
| ♣ A Q 9 2 | ||||||||||
| ♠ A 5 | ♠ 10 8 7 6 2 | |||||||||
| ♥ Q 6 4 | ♥ A J 9 7 3 | |||||||||
| ♦ 9 6 4 | ♦ J | |||||||||
| ♣ K J 10 7 3 | ♣ 6 4 | |||||||||
| ♠ Q 3 | ||||||||||
| ♥ 10 5 | ||||||||||
| ♦ A K Q 10 7 5 2 | ||||||||||
| ♣ 8 5 | ||||||||||
Opening lead —Choose it Down TwoAs it was, 3NT was passed out. West could have led a club, but since he knew Cy had seven diamond tricks to cash, West led the ♠A to get a look at dummy. When he saw it, he shifted astutely to the ♥Q, and the Cynic went down two. Good defense! At the other table, South opened one diamond, and North-South got to 3NT played by North. East led a heart, and North took 10 tricks. Pick your gadgets carefully. Better yet, focus on improving your play and defense. Conventions do not a winning player make. Daily Question
You hold:
ANSWER
You can’t afford to show your heart tolerance. If you bid a third time in the face of your partner’s announced weakness, you will promise extra strength. Moreover, you have no reason to think that a contract of two hearts will be superior to 1NT. Pass. Partner may have to struggle, but that’s what partners are for.
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