Dubious Logic

The natural two clubs

Those bidding systems that utilise an opening of one club to introduce strong hands – as opposed to those that employ two clubs for the same purpose – have to find some way of coping with hands that have clubs as the main suit. There are two common treatments; have a 'catch all' one diamond - often saying nothing about diamonds - or open two clubs as natural with clubs. In practice an amalgam of the approaches is used. The former takes care of modest hands with say a five card club suit while the two-level opening is reserved for six or more.

Once this two club opening was thought of as something of an Achilles heel of such systems and wide variety of hands found themselves under one diamond. To my mind this only creates more confusion with the minor suits. With the clear information lent by the bid, it allows useful offensive action and makes it dangerous for opponents to enter the auction. Though not statistically compelling, here is my sample from the recent Brighton Teams.

Despite my best efforts to throw a trick by under-leading the club suit it needed some delicate play by the Chinese international Zhong Fu to endplay my partner and escape for three down and –500. Earlier in the qualifiers, this hand occurred:

North had a reasonable overcall though all would be aware of the dangers. They were quickly revealed and North mishandled the play. At the other table my team-mate Jonathan Green declared one spade doubled, his first move was to ruff a diamond in hand thereafter he was able to total six tricks for –200. Against my club lead declarer won and played a heart. That allowed me to shorten my trumps with a heart ruff (after pitching on clubs) and that was +800 to us. Do not underestimate the potential of an opening that clearly defines your hand and beware when overcalling such, the opposition are already likely to be better informed about the hand than your side.

Published Saturday 1.Sep.2001