Bridge
David Bird

Since a direct raise of IS to 4S is usually played as a pre-emptive bid, based on good spade support but few points, it is necessary to use some other bid to show a sound raise. North-South here were playing Splinter Bids, where a response such as 4C would show a sound raise to the spade game including at most one club. Part of this method is that with no side-suit singleton you respond 3NT. How would you play the spade game when West leads the four of clubs? The original declarer saw no reason to spurn the club finesse. Dummy’s queen lost to the king and East returned another club. Declarer eventually had to play on hearts himself and there was no way to avoid three losers in the suit. The mistake came as early as Trick 1. Declarer can make certain of his contract (unless trumps are 4-0) by rising with dummy’s ace of clubs. After drawing trumps, he plays three rounds of diamonds, throwing a club from dummy. He then exits with a club. It makes no difference which defender wins with the club king. He will have to concede a ruff-and-discard or open the heart suit, restricting declarer’s losses there to two tricks. Ten tricks either way. You are first to speak at Love All.

Answer

The fashion nowadays is to open very light, making life difficult for the opponents. Nevertheless, in a recent big event in the US both West players passed on this hand. Why was that? When you are considering a borderline opening, look at the quality of your suit. Here and spades are moderate. Nor are the queen of hearts and the jack of clubs very good value for three points. Finally, you are in the first seat. In the third seat you would be justified in opening on this hand. Awards: Pass - 10, IS - 6, 1NT (weak) - 5.

— (Knight Features)

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