 | Is 4NT Always Ace Asking? |
The E-W auction is based on the 2/1 style of bidding, and as you can see they hit the jackpot when they get to 6NT. Even better, they got it played from the East side, protecting the ♦K from the opening lead. But there's no justice in this world and even those who wrong-sided the slam will make 12 tricks.
What do you think of that 4NT bid? |
| Bridge Ace Is Temporarily at ArtServe |
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St. Demetrios hosted a Greek Food Festival this weekend.
While they clean up from the festival our games will be held at ArtServe Monday and Tuesday this week. We will return to the church on Wednesday, October 13.
ArtServe is located on Sunrise Boulevard just one block west of the church.
Click here for directions to ArtServe. |
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This week's big deal comes to you compliments of Brian Gunnell and The Wednesday Game. The deal is from last Wednesday's game.
On the first Wednesday of each month we play a set of computer-dealt hands, as we normally do. After this game, however, you can visit The Wednesday Game website for expert Hand Analyses, Bidding Quizzes and Play Problems for the hands you have just played.
The site also has a wealth of information in BridgeOpedia. |
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Clearly West is too good to pass 3NT, perhaps he is even good enough to bid 6NT directly over 3NT. Anyway, the point is that 4NT is best used here as natural and slam-invitational, rather than as Blackwood or Roman Key Card. We'd say that East has a clear acceptance of the slam invitation... 14 HCP... good controls... and even a couple of clubs to increase that suit's chance of running.
And if, instead of choosing notrump, West had wanted to launch into a Roman Key Card auction with clubs as the trump suit? Minorwood adherents would have no problem, and might use one of the following routes:
- Bid 4♣ over 2♦: As the auction is already game-forcing this jump is best served as Roman Key Card in Clubs (and 4♦ would be the same but in Diamonds).
- Bid 4♣ over 3NT: Many Minorwoodians use the third-time rule... if the auction is already game forcing... and if no other suit has been agreed... then the third bid of the minor suit is Roman Key Card (even if all three bids were by the same player).
Some E-W players no doubt had strong jump shifts in their arsenal. Perhaps their auction will be: 1♥ 3♣, 3NT 4NT, 6NT. Note that opposite a strong jump shift there is no point in showing diamonds, that suit is never going to be trumps... better to show the overall character and strength of the hand with a 3NT rebid.
The entire deal: |
You can follow the play with the Bridge Movie on our website. |
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