On February 19 I plan to discuss "balanced hands." The hand that I held as North was not balanced by traditional standards, but my decision to treat it as balanced paid off.
Board #16
West dealer
East-West vulnerable
| | North
♠ K 10 8
♥ A K J 8
♦ J 8 6 5 2
♣ A
| | West
♠ A Q 7 3
♥ Q
♦ 10 7 4
♣ 10 9 8 6 5
| | East
♠ 9 6 2
♥ 9 7 6 4 3
♦ A 9
♣ K 3 2
| | | South
♠ J 6 4
♥ 10 5 2
♦ K Q 3
♣ Q J 7 4
| |
|
| | | | |
| South | West | North | East |
| P | 1NT | P |
| 2♣ | P | 2♥ | P |
| 2NT | P | 3NT | P |
| P | P | | |
West dealt and passed. Sitting North, I opened 1NT. My distribution was 3=4=5=1, with a singleton ♣A. I considered opening 1♦, and if the singleton had been in a major, I probably would have.
My partner bid 2♣, which, in our methods, might not indicate a four-card major. I was obligated to bid 2♥, which led to 2NT and then 3NT. The opponents just passed.
I held my breath as East pulled a card from her hand. I was expecting a spade, but it was the ♥9, which gave me nine pretty certain tricks and a good shot at a tenth, which I did in fact score. Clubs were never led.
The results at the other tables weren't as happy. At one table East-West somehow got the bid and only went down one. Were they allowed to play 2♥ undoubled? At two tables North-South played in successful diamond partials. The other North-South pair played in a 3NT contract, but they only made nine tricks.
At the Simsbury Bridge Club we don't record the auctions or even the contracts. So I have to speculate about the auctions. I assume that the other four Norths opened 1♦. Not many people whom I know would overcall West's hand, but at one table they somehow got the contract.
Assuming that West passed, South would probably bid 1NT. If the final contract was 3NT (as it was at one other table), the weaker hand would be playing it, and West would be on lead. West's natural lead is the top of the club sequence, which makes things more difficult for the declarer. Moreover, the defenders get a good view of the strengths and weaknesses of North's hand.
Incidentally, the standard lead from five small hearts is fourth best. It is OK to lead the top one, but if you do, the left-most x should be circled on your convention card. It should be the same on both cards. If you ever do it, you should always do it. If West is on lead, it is different. The ♣10 is considered an honor, and the standard lead from a five-card honor sequence is the highest card.
I take no pride in my play on this hand. The heart lead made it very easy. The bidding is another matter. 1NT can now be bid with a singleton ace or king. I have tried this a few times, and, so far at least, the results have been good. I don't think that I would try it with a singleton in hearts or spades. Too many people have read the Bird-Anthias books and appreciate the value of leading a major against a notrump contract. You don't want your singleton to be played at trick one. Sharks can smell blood in the water.