PORT ALFRED BRIDGE CLUB

Port Alfred Pairs Thursday, 15 February. 2024 Board 11 Dealer S,

none vulnerable. BBO 10291 After South starts the bidding with a 1NT bid, showing 15 – 17 points North is able to make use of an extended transfer bid. Most players are familiar with a 2D call asking for a transfer to 2H, and a 2H call asking for a transfer to 2S; also 2NT shows 8/9 points which opener can convert to 3NT holding a maximum of 16 or 17 points; then, as an extension the unused 2S response to a 1NT opening bid asks the opener to transfer to 3C which will show a six card club suit held by the responder. This will normally be passed by the opener. If the responder then bids 3D he/she is showing a hand not good enough for 3NT, but containing a six card diamond suit, which will also probably be passed. Interestingly all the declarers playing this deal played it in 3NT, making 6, 8, 8 and 10 tricks respectively. Looking at all four hands one can see that 3NT should fail. West having listened to the bidding and examined his/her hand should lead a low spade as this is the most likely lead to defeat the contract. Hearts are very unlikely to be a good lead because West has no entry card to be able to utilize the hearts, even if partner has the Ace. Leading a low diamond is quite likely to force partner to give up an honour card thus helping declarer.

All four South’s led a small heart: a lead which can only help declarer as this gives him/her a chance to establish the club suit without having to play the spade Ace.

Results: 3NTS -3; 3NTS -1 (2); 3NTS +1

N-S 1st A Ridderhof & J Faulkner… 66.0% 2nd G Dempers & L Kolesky……..54.9%

3rd J Tagg & E Jurgensen………..52.8%