Thursday, July 06, 2006 4:13 AM

2♦ - NT Hands

PITBULLS:

Opening 2NT loses 5 card minors . Opening 2♦ as strong is a partial fix for this Bridge anomaly. We now have the inference that a 2NT opener or a 2♣ opening with NT rebids , can not hold a long diamond suit. This is a handy negative inference . Here is a hand from the Spingold .

♠A10x ♥AQ ♦KQJ98 ♣Axx they opened 2NT and partner bid Stayman and they found their 5-3 spade fit and got to 6♠. This is a decent contract but unfortunately the trump were 4-1 to the KJxx and down they went. Partners hand was ♠Qxxxx ♥KJ10x ♦A10x ♣x.

Lets see if we can do better with our system. Instead of 2NT , we open 2♦ and partner bids the waiting 2♥ . The opener rebids 2NT so show her balanced hand. OK in these sequences Stayman , Gerber are extinct and only transfers remain from other 2NT auctions. KCB would be 4♦ and 4NT would be quantitative. All other bids ( splinters included ) should imply a diamond fit.

Partner makes a slam try with a splinter of 4♣. Opener can bid 4NT saying there is terrible wastage and no interest. Axx of clubs is not exactly wastage so opener takes control with 4♦ KCB.

Partner bids 4♥ showing one Ace . 4♠ here is a queen ask and 4NT is to play . In a splinter auction , bidding 5♣ should mean something as it cannot be a suit ask. Probably should mean Q bid something partner or king ask ? Partner bids 5♥ but finding the diamond grand it too tough so you bid 6♦ making 7 and coupled with 6♠ down one at the other table you win 17 IMPS. Natural bidding wins again !! Bidding 7♦ would have been overkill.