Diamonds to Gold Deal 2
By: Larry Cohen
On this second of 4 "Diamonds to Gold" Deals from Denmark, I thought Christmas had come in August. With both sides vulnerable, I held:
865
--
AKQ853
10964.I didn't have a weak 2 bid available in my system (this hand might be too good anyway), so I opened 1. LHO Doubled and my partner, David Berkowitz jumped to 4. Not 4 as one would expect (my void), but 4! How interesting.
bid available in my system (this hand might be too good anyway), so I opened 1. LHO Doubled and my partner, David Berkowitz jumped to 4. Not 4 as one would expect (my void), but 4! How interesting.I wondered how many hearts the opponents would bid and in turn, if I would go on to 5 or even 6 spades as a sacrifice (or maybe even to make). RHO bid 4NT for takeout. What should I do?
Rather than a direct 5
, I decided to pass and await developments. The developments were shocking. LHO (the takeout doubler) bid 5, some sort of cue-bid, I supposed. David passed and RHO passed! They were in 5! Should I double? No way--I didn't want to chase them into hearts. This was the full deal:| Vul:Both Dlr: East |  -- Q973 J942 KJ532 | |
| KQJ1042 KJ1086 -- 87 | 865 -- AKQ853 10964 | |
| A973 A542 1076 AQ |
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double | ||
| 4 | 4NT | Pass | 5 |
| Pass | Pass | Pass |
No, 5 was not a cue-bid. I suppose South thought his partner had minors and chose the 3-card suit. North had no reason to remove it. David led the K and declarer played well to hold it to down 3, 300. This was actually not such a good result for us. Many tables in the event (including our teammates) went for a much bigger number (4X down 1100 by our teammates).
was not a cue-bid. I suppose South thought his partner had minors and chose the 3-card suit. North had no reason to remove it. David led the K and declarer played well to hold it to down 3, 300. This was actually not such a good result for us. Many tables in the event (including our teammates) went for a much bigger number (4X down 1100 by our teammates).Next time I suppose I should double instead of looking the gift horse in the mouth.