Hand #5432
Dlr: E
Vul: E/W

             West     North    East     South
Bidding:                       1 Diam   ?
 

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	K 8 A Q 9 9 2 A Q 10 8 6 4

East opens 1D. 

Question:  What should South bid?
 
 

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             West     North    East     South
Bidding:                       1 Diam   2 Clubs
             Pass     3 Clubs  DBL      ?

South should bid 2C.  No other choice, really.

West passes and North raises to 3C.  East makes a takeout double, marking him with a pretty good hand. 

Question:  What should South bid?
 
 

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             West     North    East     South
Bidding:                       1 Diam   2 Clubs
             Pass     3 Clubs  DBL      3 Diam
             Pass     3 NT     Pass     Pass
             Pass

I suggest 3D, asking North if he can stop diamonds.  Your hand suggests you have enough tricks for game.  You should get a spade, two hearts, a diamond if North can stop the suit, and six clubs.  You may not get all of these tricks and some finesses may be needed, but given your partner showed some values, 3NT rates to be playable if he can bid it.

He does bid 3NT and now he has to make it.

Question:  Will he?
 
 

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.	7 4 4 2 A 8 7 6 3 J 7 5 3
	K 8 A Q 9 9 2 A Q 10 8 6 4

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3NT is not cold but the bidding suggests that East will have most of the missing points.  Even though North has a minimum raise, 3NT will make nine tricks and perhaps more depending on the defense.

The point of this hand is that South stops to count tricks instead of points.  When you have a long suit that you expect is running, 3NT may be successful on fewer than normal points.  In this case you know about the long suit and you also know that if you need finesses, East is likely to have the high card points.
 
 
 
 

Author: Mike Lawrence