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Hand played on |
6th December 2007 |
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Board number 13 |
Red Section |
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Dealer |
North |
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Vulnerability |
Both |
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Submitted by |
Alaric Cundy |
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North ♠KQJ4 ♥KQT ♦7642 ♣95 |
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West ♠962 ♥86 ♦J853 ♣8763 |
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East ♠AT3 ♥952 ♦AKQ ♣KQJT |
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North |
Bidding:
East |
South |
West |
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South ♠875 ♥AJ743 ♦T9 ♣A42 |
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No |
2NT |
End |
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Most players at Mountnessing play that an opening of 1NT shows a balanced 12-14 HCPs, but a few play variations, such as a 'mini' No Trump (typically 10-12), or 'variable', or specify a different range (e.g. 12-15 or 13-15), or a stronger opening. So it is often the case that a particular hand is opened 1NT throughout the section by the majority '12-14' devotees, but something else at a few. The alternative opening often leads to an identical outcome, but at times it doesn't. The trick is to play whatever flavour you feel gives you the best results in the long term, and you certainly shouldn't make a judgement based on the outcome of just one board.
This hand is a variation on the above theme, as here we are talking about the requirements for a 2NT opener. Undoubtedly, the majority choice at Mountnessing is to play that a direct 2NT opening shows a balanced 20-22 HCPs, but some pairs adopt different styles, such as here, where the 2NT opener showed 19-20 HCPs. So under the chosen style, our East's system opening was 2NT. As implied above, when you vary from the norm, you will 'win some, and lose some' - hopefully in the long term gaining more than you lose.
Unfortunately for East, this particular board turned out to be a 'lose some' example... At most tables East would have opened 1♣, and then North / South would have competed, but at our table 2NT was passed out. South saw no reason not to make the 'natural' lead of fourth highest heart, and was pleasantly surprised to find partner with such useful cards. On the fourth heart North suggested a spade switch - duly executed by South after wrapping up the first five tricks - and now Declarer was restricted to three diamond tricks and the Ace of spades. Most other North / Souths recorded much more modest 'plus' scores - typically in a heart part-score making nine tricks - though one unlucky West had an even worse time, playing in 2♦ doubled.
You can gain a competitive edge at Bridge by doing something a bit different from most other players. You need to think of the long term effects and accept that you will 'win some and lose some'.