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       Deal 5

      There are Bridge cultures – the USA and France amongst others – that prefer the Strong Notrump (15–17). In Britain the Weak Notrump (12–14) is more commonly played. The pluses and minuses of the Weak Notrump versus the Strong Notrump can be argued ad nauseam. What matters more is that you and partner know which notrump you play, and that you stick to it. Throughout this book I will assume a Weak Notrump. Indeed that is my preference. I like to open 1NT with those oh-so-common flat minimums, describing my hand so well in one go. However, do not open 1NT merely because your hand ‘looks notrumpy’ and you can’t think of an alternative.

       What happened

      When South opened 1NT, his partner passed, ‘knowing’ that the partnership could not have the 25 points required for game. Declarer won

K at Trick Two. He quickly established three heart tricks to go with three in spades and three in diamonds.

      Nine tricks made – underbid.

       What should have happened

      3NT – game bid and made.

Tip 5

      Do not open 1NT with more than 14 points (assuming you play the Weak Notrump).

       Deal 6

      Last deal we observed that you must stick to your notrump point range (assumed to be 12–14). This deal we stress that your hand must also be balanced. Question: What is a balanced hand?

      Answer: The word ‘balanced’ refers not to the location of the honours but to the number of cards in each suit. There are three balanced distributions – 4432, 4333 and 5332. Do not open 1NT unless you have one of these three distributions. Or you may suffer South’s fate…

       What happened

      Against 1NT, West led the

3 to East’s

J and declarer’s

A. At Trick Two declarer led a diamond to dummy’s

2 to West’s

10 and West cashed the

K, then led back

6 to East’s

Q (declarer and dummy discarding clubs). East then switched to the

2. Declarer tried the

K but West won the

A, cashed

Q, then led to East’s

J9. The defence took four spades, three hearts and a diamond. Down two.

       What should have happened

      Declaring 2

3 lead (the unbid suit) with

A and plays to

A, back to

K, and leads a third club (establishing his fourth club). On retaining the lead he forces out

A and emerges with eight tricks: a heart, four trumps and three clubs. Contract made.

Tip 6

      Do not open 1NT with an unbalanced hand.

       Deal 7

      It’s time to move on from opening 1NT to responding to it. The basic principle is for responder to decide on the best contract available, and simply to bid it! Note that responder does not need six points to bid, as he would if partner had opened in a suit. The 1NT opener is not going to bid again unless responder makes a strong bid. Bidding two-of-a-suit is a rescue operation – consistent with no points at all – and will always be passed. Are you listening North? Incorrectly leaving South to stew in 1NT, he saw the following carnage take place:

       What happened

      West led

2) and then led Скачать книгу