NS on the auction shown missed out on punishing 1S e.g. if North doubles to give S obtions instead of bidding 2H. 3 rounds of diamonds and a ruff, then HK, HQ, H to the Ace and how many is East going for? When South wins a spade and exist with the H10, North can ruff in unless East has played SAx when he can ditch a club on the winning heart and wait for the CK. Painful!
bobbywolffMay 2nd, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Hi Iain,
You are as right as you can be, but sadly, the practicality of doubling 1 spade for penalties, in most cases, is even rarer than a cold day in June.
Sure, in retrospect, we can all dream of creating nectar out of dirt or, more practically, winning out of unusual decisions, but to do so consistently has
likely never occurred. Bridge itself is not cut out for defending very low contracts doubled, especially when no real trump stack is evident.
However, the opportunity is always there to be original, but in doing so, the practical application of our difficult game merits guiding us. Away from
strange choices, although some may think that an occasional trip into
the unknown is good for the reputation and if so, more power to you.
jim2May 2nd, 2023 at 4:13 pm
On BWTA, please consider that I made my normal Flannery comment …
bobbywolffMay 2nd, 2023 at 9:03 pm
Hi Jim2,
Upon honoring your request concerning one of my favorite conventions, Flannery, in addition to always getting what one adores (flattery) it is also a method for a bridge columnist to get the hand played from the side to which the write-up needs it to be.
“Pretty clever these Chinese” was once a staple for discussing the Orient. Now that the USA and China are enduring some competitive talk, their country has installed bridge learning in the schools, a much loved addition, which in turn will always serve as a beacon for their country to stay in the mix among the world’s bridge leaders. Since I had something to do with it happening, I have always enjoyed the good news that it has remained popular.
Again Jim2, thanks for the reminder of how, why and often that 4-5 distribution of the major suits seems to be forever present, “pretty clever these Americans”, who have found a way to easily, with one swipe, inform partner of a widely flexible major suit introduction from the get-go.
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Hi Bobby,
NS on the auction shown missed out on punishing 1S e.g. if North doubles to give S obtions instead of bidding 2H. 3 rounds of diamonds and a ruff, then HK, HQ, H to the Ace and how many is East going for? When South wins a spade and exist with the H10, North can ruff in unless East has played SAx when he can ditch a club on the winning heart and wait for the CK. Painful!
Hi Iain,
You are as right as you can be, but sadly, the practicality of doubling 1 spade for penalties, in most cases, is even rarer than a cold day in June.
Sure, in retrospect, we can all dream of creating nectar out of dirt or, more practically, winning out of unusual decisions, but to do so consistently has
likely never occurred. Bridge itself is not cut out for defending very low contracts doubled, especially when no real trump stack is evident.
However, the opportunity is always there to be original, but in doing so, the practical application of our difficult game merits guiding us. Away from
strange choices, although some may think that an occasional trip into
the unknown is good for the reputation and if so, more power to you.
On BWTA, please consider that I made my normal Flannery comment …
Hi Jim2,
Upon honoring your request concerning one of my favorite conventions, Flannery, in addition to always getting what one adores (flattery) it is also a method for a bridge columnist to get the hand played from the side to which the write-up needs it to be.
“Pretty clever these Chinese” was once a staple for discussing the Orient. Now that the USA and China are enduring some competitive talk, their country has installed bridge learning in the schools, a much loved addition, which in turn will always serve as a beacon for their country to stay in the mix among the world’s bridge leaders. Since I had something to do with it happening, I have always enjoyed the good news that it has remained popular.
Again Jim2, thanks for the reminder of how, why and often that 4-5 distribution of the major suits seems to be forever present, “pretty clever these Americans”, who have found a way to easily, with one swipe, inform partner of a widely flexible major suit introduction from the get-go.