Mérida Shenanigans

Here are two hands that produced a little merriment in our local tournament.

The bidding: a little exotic!

I cannot even begin to explain this bidding sequence. North decided to open a 5 card major instead of a 6 card minor (rather fortunately for us). My partner, with 5 losers (a strict losing trick count proponent) decided to bid 2D (Why? I think the translation for Spanish was that diamonds was the stronger suit!. The lessons have to continue). South absolutely correctly bid 2H. I, as West,  assumed partner to have a genuine overcall and, despite the clubs and the knowledge that East is void in hearts, reckoned that on a heart lead, the expected lead in this school, we were close to 3NT, running diamonds and at least a couple of heart tricks.

North now bid his clubs, understandable, and partner now bid her spades!

South supported North’s clubs at the five level, 5 diamonds from West and North got angry.

Partner had no trouble in landing the doubled contract.

The discussion, in Spanish, was ‘Fast and Furious (not the Holder type). Chalk up +550 on board 1. Cannot be a bad start to the evening.

The next couple of hands passed without much comment and then we were dealt this board.

The bidding: a little less exotic.

X

As explained in an earlier article we do not play two suited overcalls and East thought she should bid suits upwards (The unfinished lessons) to conserve space for our bidding. North’s 2N showed 18/19 HCP but I think a heart call might have been wiser. Partner, unabashed found a 3S bid, after all she was going to bid twice and the suits upwards (sic) and imagining something like a 6/5 distribution on the bidding with most of the missing honours with North, I fancied game in spades. Again North doubled in anger! Do you blame him?

A small heart was led to the ace and North tried cashing the heart king, ruffed by East. East tabled the club king, that was taken immediately by the ace, fearing a singleton. The third heart was ruffed by East and a club led to the table. The singleton diamond was led from dummy and North grabbed his ace, perhaps not a good move but understandable. Out of hearts, North retuned a diamond ruffed on table. The spade jack delivered the ‘coup de grace’ against North. Ten tricks doubled vulnerable. Again the conversation centred around North saying he had 19 HCP and potentially five tricks. At least that is what I understood from the Spanish.

Not good bridge but it made the evening for me. I must get partner to understand bidding strategy (or must I?).

Saludos to all our friends in Pretoria.

1. This will probably be my last article as there is little interest shown in the blog. I think it has been decided to close it down. For those few who enjoyed the articles; thanks, I enjoyed writing them. A little bit of humour at the table goes a long way.