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Rebidding Notrumps (2)

The normal order of priority between the five game contracts is:
1st: 4 , 4  with an eight-card fit
2nd: 3 NT
3rd: 5 , 5  (some way behind).

I tell my students (tongue-incheek) to play Five-of-a-Minor just once a month. It will only be best if all of the following are true:
a) No eight-card major fit.
b) A short suit unstopped in both hands (3 NT out).
c) Good shape/loads of points.
 
Say the bidding has begun 1 -2 -3 NT (17-19). Are you passing, or bidding that once-a-month 5 ?
 
Hand (i) Hand(ii) Hand(iii)
♠ -
 J 9 7
♦ A K 6 4 3 2
♣ 9 6 3 2
♠ 4 3
 7 5
♦ A Q J 7 4 3 2
♣ 7 3
J 9
  -
♦ A K 6 4 3 2
♣ K J 9 8

(i) Pass. The spade void is not notrumpy, but it is partner’s suit. Turning to hearts, give partner as little as  xxx and you would rather play 3 NT (four heart losers on a 4-3 split) than 5  (three losers and down you go). See deal.

(ii) Pass. Without a singleton, to even think of 5  would be misguided. The diamonds should run nicely in notrumps.

(iii) 5 . Because of the side-suit void, and the “slow” minor-suit holdings. Top cards will need to be dislodged and you may not have time in 3 NT after, say, partner’s one heart stop has been dislodged.

 

North Deals
N-S Vul
A K J 8 3
10 8 6
Q 7
A K Q
Q 9 7 6 4
K Q 4
9 5
J 8 7
 
N
W   E
S
 
10 5 2
A 5 3 2
J 10 8
10 5 4
 
J 9 7
A K 6 4 3 2
9 6 3 2

What happened
West North East South
  1  Pass 2 
Pass 3 NT1 Pass 5 2
Pass Pass Pass  
  1. 17-19 Balanced
  2. Mistake. Two more tricks to make than 3 NT. A void in partner’s suit is not of huge concern and pass is indicated.

5  was quickly down. West led  K, continued with  Q, then led  4 to East’s  A. East led his thirteenth heart, and when West ruffed with  9, forcing dummy to overtrump with  Q, East’s  J104 was promoted into a trump trick. Down two.

What should have happened
West North East South
  1  Pass 2 
Pass 3 N Pass Pass
Pass      


The defence can take the first four heart tricks against North’s 3 NT, but that’s it (diamonds run - starting with  Q). Game made.

If you remember just one thing...
Try to avoid Five-of-Minor.

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