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Answer #46

Three possible hands are given for South, but only one is consistent with their bidding. Which one? What would the others hands have bid differently? Both non-vulnerable.

North		East		South		West
1 ♠		Pass		3 ♠

Hand a)

♠ 8 5 3 2
♥ A Q J 5 2
♦ 2
♣ J 4 2

Hand b)

♠ A K J
♥ K 10 2
♦ 6 2
♣ 9 8 6 3 2

Hand c)

♠ K J 3 2
♥ A J 2
♦ A 8 4
♣ 7 4 2

Answer:

(a) is correct

Your 3♠ bid guarantees four+ spades (never three – in case partner has only four). It shows 10-12 points (adding for shortage: a singleton is worth about three extra points), or eight losing tricks. Adding three points for the singleton diamond,
Hand (a) fits the bill. Using the Losing Trick Count, there are eight losing tricks. Perfect. Note that you should not respond 2♥ – because that would unnecessarily confuse the issue when you know you want spades to be trumps.
With Hand (b) you should respond 2♣, planning to jump to 3♠ (even 4♠ if partner shows a 5-4 shape).
With Hand (c) you are immediately worth 4♠, which you bid (unless playing the Jacoby 2NT – showing a game-forcing spade raise – in which case bid that). Note that with a balanced hand, the Losing Trick Count is inaccurate and should not be used.

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Answer #46