Getting knocked out of the Grand National Teams, qualified me to play in the 2009 Life Master Pairs in Washington D.C. (Note the sarcasm). With neither side vulnerable, I held these cards:
5 2
K Q 10 9 5 4
--
J 8 7 6 3My partner passed, and RHO, Hall-of-Famer Kerri Sanborn, opened 2
. Should I enter or keep my mouth shut?
I entered. Wanting a heart lead against a potential 3NT contract, I ventured 3
. This was met promptly with a penalty double passed back to me. Should I run? I stood pat, and played in 3
X.
This was the full deal:
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | Pass | 2![]() | 3![]() |
| Double | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Vul: None Dir: North | J 9 8 7 6 4 -- 6 5 3 K Q 4 2 | |||||||
-- A J 8 7 A K Q J 10 A 10 9 5 | A K Q 10 3 6 3 2 9 8 7 4 2 -- | |||||||
5 2 K Q 10 9 5 4 -- J 8 7 6 3 |
What a case of good news and bad news!
Bad was partner's hearts void.
Good was partner's club fit.
Bad was that I hadn't decided to run to 4
.
Good was that partner had no defense against diamonds, so this might not be a bad result.
Bad was that I was down four, -800.
Good was that East-West can make at least 6
(worth 920).
Bad was that the field wasn't in 6
. We got slightly below average, but it sure would have been fun to follow this board around the room and watch it at every table.
Note North's discipline in not opening a weak 2
, Note East's undisciplined 2
opening. Note my aggressive 3
overcall. Note West's happy penalty double.
I don't have a clue as to what the moral is.