Suffolk v Norfolk
Suffolk's run in this year's Eastern Counties League stumbled somewhat when the 'A' team lost to Norfolk in the most recent fixture. Though the first team went down 4-8 in victory points, I'm glad to say both the 'B' and 'C' teams won, 12-0 and 8-4 respectively. It was pleasing to see strong line-ups in the top two teams and the county showing strength in depth - perhaps encouraging competition for future places, no bad thing for the longer term.
There are many reasons why swings happen in matches and it is the wild hands that usually get noticed. The majority of points however change hands on more mundane hands and often for more or less, blameless reasons. Probably the most frequent reason is differing opening no-trump ranges. Take these two examples;
| ♠ QJ5 | |||||||
| ♥ 652 | |||||||
| ♦ K983 | |||||||
| ♣ QJ8 | |||||||
Three passes to your partner who vulnerable, opens a 14-16 no-trump, do you invite or settle for the seven trick contract? It seems pretty clear to pass. No extra values (tens etc.), no extra shape (five card suits) and bare minimum - it's only just possible we have a combined 25 HCP in any case. Partner's hand was A943, KQJ10, QJ2, K2 and with every suit breaking evenly (and the spade king on-side) game was making. This was bid more often by the opposition than the home county after 1♥ - 1NT; 2NT - 3NT. The raise to 2NT is far from clear but opener does have a good hand. Here's another example;
| ♠ K73 | |||||||
| ♥ AKQJ95 | |||||||
| ♦ J8 | |||||||
| ♣ A6 | |||||||
Partner opens an 11-13 no-trump this time and you start with a transfer. Two diamonds gets two hearts and you set up a force with three clubs, ostensibly a suit. Opener's next bid of four hearts is less than welcome. It seems as if slam is a long way off; AQx, xxxx, Kxx, Qxx and even the five level might be in danger. The Suffolk player passed and a slam went begging - opener held A95, 874, AQ64, K75. The opposite side of fortune fell to my partner and me. Lacking a bid to show 13 HCP without a major, I promoted the hand to a 14-16 no-trump and partner's leap to six closed proceedings.
Wherever over-lapping ranges are played there will be potential for major divergences. Usually (but not always as above) this happens when one side employs say a 12-14 range and their partner holds 12. A raise to game is almost obligatory and some 12 facing 12s may well provide successful play for nine tricks. If the other side opens a 10-12 no-trump, then they know the magic combined 25 can not be held so a pass is in order and a game swings results.
Published Saturday 10.Feb.2001