Jeugdbridge.nl

The reporter took Thursday on the final day of the round the chance of supporting the Netherlands Red in quest of a place in the semi-final. Acting as trainer of the Dutch juniors I have made a habit of writing down some questions about bidding theory on all kinds of pieces of paper (even sometimes on paper money bills); maybe we can use them for some training session. Friday morning I collected these bits and pieces and wrote them down in a questionnaire. So juniors (and all bridge players) from all countries are invited to participate in one of those training sessions in answering the next questions and discussing them with their partner.


NETHERLANDS RED RISES
 After a useful 25 against Turkey the Netherlands took an 18 imp lead against Israel but lost most of that on the last two boards: 16-14, and the third place in the ranking. With Denmark, USA and England to go a tough ride, but all seemed promising.


Question 1

In multiple choice format (let your partner put in his answers without seeing yours first)

What would you – green versus green in first position - open with 

♠ 2 ♥ K Q 8 3 2 ♦ 4 ♣ A K 9 4 3 2

a) 1♥, intending to rebid 2♣ over 1♠
b) 1♣ and rebid 2♣ over 1♠
c) 1♣ and rebid 2♥ over 1♠
d) Other suggestion

1a) same for green versus red: ♠ - ♥ Q 8 7 6 4 ♣ A 8 ♣ A Q 10 9 7 6

 

Question 2

♠ A 9 8 ♥ A Q 8 5 2 ♦ K Q 8 6 ♣ 2

Partner opens 1♥ in first position, vulnerable against not, next hand passes

a) 2NT as some form of ♥-support
b) 4♣; splinter
c) 2♦: natural 10+HCP or GF
d) Some 2♣-relay


Question 3

North/all
WEST NORTH   EAST SOUTH
1♦     2♠(weak) ??

SOUTH: ♠ K J 6 5 ♥ A 6 4 ♦ K 7 ♣ K J 9 5


a) Pass
b) 3NT
c) Dbl
d) Do you expect partner always to keep the bidding open when you pass?


Question 4

West/all

WEST       NORTH       EAST        SOUTH
2 ♥(weak) dbl            2♠            ??

♠ 10 ♥ A K 10 2 ♦ J 8 4 3 ♣ J 7 5 2

a) pass
b) dbl
c) 2NT
d) Something else


Question 5

North/all

WEST         NORTH      EAST      SOUTH
1NT(15-17)  2♠             ??

South: ♠ -- ♥ A Q J 8 6 4 3 ♦ A 2 ♣ A K 6 3

a) 3♥ (3♦ if transfer)
b) 3♠
c) Dbl
d) Another approach


Question 6

North/--

WEST       NORTH   EAST    SOUTH
-             1♣          pass    1♦
1 NT(♥+♠) pass        2♠      3♠

a) shows ♠-stop
b) asks for ♠-stop
c) ♣-fit?
d) Strong with ♦?

 

NETHERLANDS RED STUMBLES
In the meantime the Danish juniors (although not so good in this WHJI but usually fierce contenders an the reigning world champions from Beijing) gave the Netherlands Red a tough fight beating them 21-9. With all other contenders : France 2, Italy and USA scoring big wins ‘Red’ was 17 vips behind with two matches to go.


Question 7

Partner leads ♣K after

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
-       1♦        1♠     dbl
2♠     3♦        pass  3NT
pass   pass     pass


  Dummy
  ♠ 4 3 2
  ♥ K J 2
  ♦ A Q J 9 6 4
  ♣ 2


East throws

a) count
b) encourages ♣Q
c) drops ♣Q


Question 8

North/--

 

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
-       1♦        1♥    2♥
pass  3♦        pass  3♥??

2♥ was limit or better with ♦-support. 3♦: minimum

3♥: 

a) asking for a little help in ♥ for 3NT
b) asking for real ♥-stop
c) is it after 3♥ still possible to sign of in 4♦
d) slam try


Question 9

South/NS

 

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
 -       -         -      1♥
pass   2♣(GF) 4 ♦    dbl

a) take-out
b) I want to bid on in ♣/♥
c) 4crd♠, max
d) Something else


Question 10

South/all

♠ K Q ♥ K 10 7 ♦ -- ♣ A K Q 8 7 5 3 2 

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH
-        -         -       2♣
pass   2♦        pass 3♦(one suited, game force0
pass   4♣       pass  4♦
pass   4♥       dbl    pass(1)
pass   redbl   pass   4NT(2)
pass   5♥       pass    ??



1: did you show second round control in hearts or can you pass to get top know if north has first round control?

2: would you have used RKCB?

3: what do you expect of the north hand?

4: what do you bid now to find out if north has ♠A?

5: what do you suggest as another bid after the redouble?


NETHERRLANDS RED FALLS
In the meantime the results of ‘Red’ against the USA (14-16) and England (17-13) were not sufficient to reach the semi final so that the Dutch juniors will have to lick their wounds in the Consolation.