July 2008 - 31

The Bidding Box

the minors: A 4 continuation after
a responsive double could lead to a
murky conclusion to the auction.
Bridge Bulletin auction: (2)-
Dbl-(3)-5; All Pass
Scores: 3NT (E) 10; 3NT (W) 8;
5 6; (3) Dbl 5; 6 3; 4 2;
(3) 1
Hwang-Harding 45,
Kirsch-Kleinplatz 34
East deals. E-W vulnerable.

Hwang
2NT
3
4
5
6
Pass
Kirsch
2NT
4
5
6
Pass

East
KQ8652
8
KQ4
AQ4
Harding
1
3
4
4NT
5NT
7NT
Kleinplatz
1
3
4NT
5NT
7NT

These auctions are systemically
identical. 2NT in both cases shows
a game-forcing spade raise (ala Jacoby), but the response-structure was
slightly different for the two pairs.
Harding's 3 shows unspecified
shortness. 3 asked Harding to
name the suit, and 4 revealed a
singleton heart (3 = clubs, 3NT =
diamonds, 4 = hearts). 4 was a
control-showing bid. A 1430 Blackwood sequence followed. 6 showed
the K, and Harding could count
13 tricks: six spades, one heart, three
diamonds and three clubs.
Kirsch and Kleinplatz employ more
traditional responses to the Jacoby
raise. 3 showed a singleton in that
suit. The rest of their auction was the
same as their counterparts.
July 2008

Scores: 7NT 12; 7 10; 6NT 6;
6 4; 5NT 2; 5 1
Hwang-Harding 57,
Kirsch-Kleinplatz 46

Problem 7

Problem 6

West
 A 10 7 3
AJ52
A762
K

Bridge Bulletin auction:
1-2NT (Jacoby: forcing raise);
3 (singleton)-4 (control bid);
4NT (RKCB, 1430)-5 (0 or 3 key
cards); 5NT (specific kings)-6;
7NT-Pass

South deals. N-S vulnerable.
South opens 1. North bids 1 if
possible. South bids 2 if possible.
West
J82
AQ72
Q6
A873
Hwang North
Dbl
Pass
3

(1)
(Pass)
All Pass

East
Q6
J53
K542
K652
Harding South
(1)
2
(2)
Dbl
(Pass)

After Hwang's takeout double and
North's 1 response, Harding chose
to advance with 2. When opener
continued with 2, however, Harding was unwilling to sell out, so he
kept the auction open with a double.
Hwang, not knowing that his partner
was balanced (and that passing was
an option), raised clubs.
Kirsch North Kleinplatz South
(1)
Dbl
(1) 1NT
(2)
Pass
(Pass) 3
All Pass
Kleinplatz chose to advance his
partner's takeout double with the
matchpoint-savvy 1NT. When opener
raised spades, however, both Kirsch
and Kleinplatz eschewed the penalty
option available to them. With vulnerable opponents, even passing looks
very attractive.
Bridge Bulletin auction: (1)-
Dbl-(1)-1NT; (2)-All Pass
Scores: (2) Dbl 10; (2) 8;
3 6; 2NT 5; 3 1

Hwang-Harding 63,
Kirsch-Kleinplatz 52

Problem 8

West deals. Both vulnerable.
West
KQJ84
3
A9
QJ982

East
5
 Q 10 9 6 5
KQ765
K6

Hwang
1
2
3NT

Harding
1NT
2NT
Pass

Kirsch
1
2
3

Kleinplatz
1NT
2NT
Pass

On this disgusting misfit, the trick
is to find some sensible way to stay
low. After a 1 opening, however,
that's not really possible.
Harding's 1NT was forcing for
one round. When Hwang bid 2 (a
three-card suit is possible), Harding
was faced with an unpleasant choice.
2 and 2 would be natural and
non-forcing, while 2NT would be
invitational, even though the actual
East hand is a bit light for that action.
He eventually decided that 2NT was
the least of evils. Hwang was faced
with a choice as well: Bid 3 or just
bid the notrump game without telling
the opponents anything else about the
hand?
Kirsch and Kleinplatz had the same
uncomfortable start to the auction,
but Kirsch decided to emphasize
clubs. ("At IMPs, I bid 3NT," he
said.)
Perhaps the best way to avoid this
mess is for West to begin with 1,
assuming that choice is systemically
or stylistically available.
Bridge Bulletin auction: 1-1NT;
2-2NT; 3-Pass
Scores: 1NT 10; 2 8; 1 7;
2 6; 2NT 5; 2 4; 3 3; 3NT 2;
3 1
Final score: Hwang-Harding 65,
Kirsch-Kleinplatz 55
r
31
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2008
