Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Tuesday, 5 September, 2023


10 Comments

jim2September 5th, 2023 at 12:50 am

In BWTA, it’s too bad South did not have an opening bid that showed 4-5 in the majors.

(I know. I know. But as long as this this problem keeps showing up, I guess this comment will, too.)

Patrick CheuSeptember 5th, 2023 at 6:12 am

Hi Jim, If 2D is Flannery 5H 4S..is there a problem with the 16 count as most play 11-15? I stand to be corrected.

Iain ClimieSeptember 5th, 2023 at 10:28 am

Hi Bobby,

On BWTA, I feel opening 1N is a horrible distortion (5-4-2-2, Aces although I’d do it with 5-4 in the minors) but, the way things have panned out, it might have worked.

Regards,

Iain

jim2September 5th, 2023 at 11:42 am

Patrick –

I’d downgrade the JC and use that as my excuse.

There are so many upsides that I would not bat an eye.

If that were not allowed (e.g., make the JC the QC), then I’d probably bid 1N and be prepared to pretend remorse if Iain were my partner and it did not work out. 🙂

bobbywolffSeptember 5th, 2023 at 2:35 pm

Hi Jim2,

And Flannery will get an even more emphatic vote from me and my favorite 4 card major system, since 4-5 in the majors has more pitfalls in the limited effective methods of dealing with.

Also (especially Patrick), instead of strictly (or almost) using point count to determine maximum Flannery I think more accurate instead, use the “feel ” available for allowing 16 points (or such) for Flannery if, in fact the bidder will feel uncomfortable reversing if not done, s. 10xxx, h. AKQJx, d. QJc. QJ. Certainly not contrived since last week this exact hand came up three times in only one duplicate. Me, lie? (poll for telling truth must only result in pollster sacrificing his right to remain political).

Now to Jim2, I have officially proposed to the bridge committee for them to make legal the
bidding of the fifth suit, but only in one instance involving an opening bid of 1 spart which ranks only one level below 1 club in hopes of benefitting the holding of 4-5 (you may guess what suits I am electioneering for).

And finally to Iain: No one would have ever imagined you trying to get the master bridge committee to change the rules to allow the first bidder (whatever he bids or doesn’t) to always be declarer (should his side buy the contract) whenever you are dealer. They like the idea (and for some reason appear satisfied) possibly because they have sold out to someone’s bribe, but up to now, they have not completed their investigation since their formation has remained off limits.

Iain ClimieSeptember 5th, 2023 at 4:57 pm

HI Bobby,

I used to play GETNIF (Get No Trumps in First) with one or two partners back in the late 1970s.

Regards.

Iain

David SnookSeptember 5th, 2023 at 7:09 pm

The fifth suit?

I’m all ears…

And eyes… and arms… and legs…

And what would the fifth suit be?

jim2September 5th, 2023 at 8:16 pm

David –

He called it “spart”s.

The real Q is what color would it be?

I’m guessing either a black-red checkerboard or plaid.

bobbywolffSeptember 5th, 2023 at 10:37 pm

Hi David,

Sparts, what else, so that the 4-5 spade heart holding is indeed a tough combination
so that if nothing else works, possibly create sparts as a legal suit to show 4 spades and 5 hearts.

Some people may think that I am kidding, but you can bet my life, or something more valuable, with my, in actuality, doing just that. Woops, went the cat, out of the bag.
Aren’t we Devils! And just before my post, Jim2 is making racial slurs with black and red.

jim2September 5th, 2023 at 11:24 pm

My bidding has been called worse ….