Fullarton Teams Round 1
A couple of grand slams turned up in the first round of qualifying ...
... on both occasions we fell at the last hurdle and only bid the small slam. This is how we could have bid them.
| Board 1 North Deals None Vul | ♠ J 7 ♥ 9 7 3 ♦ 6 ♣ K Q J 10 9 5 2 | ||||||||||
♠ Q 10 5 4 ♥ K J 6 5 4 2 ♦ K ♣ A 8 |
| ♠ A K 9 8 3 2 ♥ A 10 ♦ A 8 7 ♣ 6 4 | |||||||||
| ♠ 6 ♥ Q 8 ♦ Q J 10 9 5 4 3 2 ♣ 7 3 |
| West | North | East | South |
| 3 ♣ | 4 ♠ | Pass | |
| 4 NT1 | Pass | 5 ♦2 | Pass |
| 7 ♠ | Pass | Pass | Pass |
|
| 7 ♠ by East |
Some might think that 4♠ is a slight overbid with only 15 hcp but with sharp working cards its a reasonable upgrade. With only five spades and these values most would consider the east hand a near maximum for a 3♠ overcall.
When west imagines the slam and asks for key cards the grand slam is a very reasonable proposition after partner shows up with four key cards. West can count six spades, two hearts, two diamonds, one club for eleven tricks. Leaving two ruffs in the west hand to make thirteen tricks or if they are not available there is a good chance that the hearts will provide a source of tricks.
Fullarton Teams Round 1
| Board 8 West Deals None Vul | ♠ 10 9 4 ♥ 2 ♦ A 10 9 6 5 ♣ 10 7 4 3 | ||||||||||
♠ A Q 8 5 2 ♥ 10 9 8 7 ♦ Q 4 3 ♣ 5 |
| ♠ K J 6 ♥ A K J 6 ♦ — ♣ A K Q J 8 6 | |||||||||
| ♠ 7 3 ♥ Q 5 4 3 ♦ K J 8 7 2 ♣ 9 2 |
| West | North | East | South |
| 2 ♠1 | Pass | 2 NT2 | Pass |
| 3 ♣3 | Pass | 3 ♠4 | Pass |
| 4 ♣5 | Pass | 5 ♦6 | Pass |
| 5 ♠7 | Pass | 5 NT8 | Pass |
| 7 ♠9 | Pass | Pass | Pass |
|
| 7 ♠ by West |
Our weak twos are aggressive and are frequently on only a five-card suit especially not vulnerable. As you see we do not care too much about having a side four-card major that might dissuade others from a similar opening.
There are two keys to the above auction. Firstly we were able to set trumps at 3♠ and then responder was able to make an unusual jump to the five-level to ask for aces excluding the ♦A.
As I mentioned above on the actual hands we settled in 6♠ both times. We picked up on the first hand when the opponents only bid game and tied the second board. In a qualifying match where we were already getting a maximum 25 VPs it turned out not to be necessary to bid either grand.
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