Dubious Logic

Deadwood

This deal from a county match featured a mixture of bidding ideas, some old, some new. Only East-West are vulnerable and the first question was what to open on the West cards after South passes.

Once it would have been unimaginable not to begin with a natural and strong two diamonds. As fashions changed and two-level openings were invaded by weak and multi-meaning bids, the only strong option (or options) became artificial. But artificial bids that announce strength but don't suggest a trump suit have hidden costs.

The opponents now know their chances of a making contract are much reduced and will switch to spoiling tactics – especially, as here, when the vulnerability is in their favour. Also, after the initial exchange, opener must start describing at the three-level. And while responder's two no-trump is a 'second negative' over opener's major-suit rebid, what about after three diamonds? Uncertainty and lack of space destabilises slam exploration.

These considerations convince most modern players to risk a one-level opening on hands even with great playing strength. Paradoxically, the opponents, not tipped off to the distribution of values, occasionally come to their rescue.

One last thought, how about an opening four no-trump? Introduced in the early days of the Acol system this is still regarded as asking for specific aces. To be fair the West hand is not quite textbook in that, if partner has no ace, five diamonds may be a struggle (and likewise six diamonds if partner has one). But something may turn up and it's not impossible to construct deals where the opponents can make four or five of a major. As East, I would have had to recall the rare five no-trump response to show two aces.

My partner started low and this was our auction:

1. Natural, game forcing
2. Keeping out of the big hand's way
3. 'Deadwood' (see below)
4. Good hand for slam, two key-cards for diamonds
5. "Do you have the spade king?"
6. No
7. "I've had a recount, I don't need it…"

Before we move to the new, a last nod to the past concerns the second round; West has no convenient force and improvises a club suit. There used to be many fewer low-level forces and 'inventing suits' was once common. This sequence (diamonds – hearts) is an awkward remnant and responder does better to allow opener to describe why he forced; three no-trump and high-level club contracts still possible.

The modern adjunct is the use of 'optional key-card', for which I've coined the name Deadwood. The responses to this 'cheap Blackwood' begin with a 'Deadwood stage', the cheapest call says "I have a bad hand for slam". The second and higher responses can be consistent with your other key-card (four aces and trump king) showing but we use, bad / odd / even / two plus trump queen / four plus trump queen.

I would like to say 7NT caused no problems in the play but one poor declarer went down. Declaring from East I received a diamond lead and was careful to win in the long hand – it was fatal to take the first trick with the ace.

Published Saturday 23.May.2015