36 English Bridge February 2016 www.ebu.co.uk
ing auction. It's true that if you dealt a large number of random
hands, you would find many more weak 1NT openings
than strong 1NT openings. However, when you hold such
hands in second, third or fourth seat, there is more chance
that an opponent will open in front of you - particularly
nowadays. So, the frequency argument loses its power. Also,
of course, you risk the occasional catastrophic penalty if you
are so bold as to play a weak 1NT when vulnerable.
Am I ever going to discuss the bidding of the hand from
the England-Poland match? Er… yes. Gunnar Hallberg bid
Stayman, looking for a spade fit, and heard 2t. His
subsequent 4NT bid was a limit bid, non-forcing but inviting
a slam if his partner was maximum. With only 15 points and
an unproductive 4-3-3-3 shape, Holland was happy to pass.
6® is slightly better than 6NT, since you can ruff a diamond.
However, you would still need to pick up the clubs for one
loser (guessing which defender was more likely to hold ®Ax
and leading through his ace on the first round).
Awards: 4NT (10), 5® (8), 5NT (6), 6® (5), 6NT (3)
We take a look at the England Seniors now,
facing Poland in the quarter-finals of the
d'Orsi Trophy. John Holland opens a 15-17
point 1NT. Although the weak 1NT is still
immensely popular in English clubs, most
players around the world prefer the strong
1NT. A popular argument in favour of the
weak 1NT is that it occurs much more often
and is then a solid springboard for the ensu4.game
All. Dealer East with 9 points and two kings opposite a 2® opening. Let's see
if megastars, Meckstroth and Rodwell can do as well:
2t showed a balanced hand with 8-10 points and 2NT asked
for a major. 4NT was slam-invitational and 5NT showed an
in-between hand, leaving the last move to West.
Justin Hackett led the tQ against the unusual contract of
5NT. Rodwell won and played four rounds of clubs, followed
by a finesse of the ™10. Justin won and cleared a diamond
trick. After three rounds of spades, Rodwell finessed the ™Q,
North winning and claiming the setting trick in diamonds.
That was 12 IMPs to England.
Awards: 4NT (10), 5NT (7), 6NT (5)
West East
Holland Hallberg
1NT 2®
2t 4NT
3.N/S Game. Dealer West
´ A K 2 ´ Q 10 5 3
™ Q J 7 ™ A K 2
t K 10 8 t A 6
® Q 9 8 7 ® K 5 4 3
N
W E
S
´ 6 2
™ K J 6 3
t Q J 10
® 8 7 5 4
´ A K 4 ´ Q 9 7
™ A Q 10 8 ™ 7 5 4
t A 6 5 t K 3 2
® A Q 6 ® K J 10 2
´ J 10 8 5 3
™ 9 2
t 9 8 7 4
® 9 3
N
W E
S
West North East South
Bakhshi Katz Gold Nickell
Pass Pass
2® Pass 2t Pass
2NT Pass 4NT
West North East South
Rodwell Justin H Meckstroth Jason H
Pass Pass
1® Pass 2t Pass
2NT Pass 3NT Pass
4NT Pass 5NT
Again we see a natural 4NT limit-bid raise of
a no-trump bid. Bakhshi had no reason to
advance and the England pair stopped safely
NICKO RESULTS
The National InterClub Knockout (NICKO) has been won by Bristol B who beat Petersield B by 42
imps over the 48 board inal. Bristol took an early lead, and won ive of the six sessions in a very
friendly and good spirited match.