Andrew:

Five is for the other side

This principle is also known variously as “Don’t bid Five over Five” and “The Five-level belongs to the opponents”. 11 tricks are tough to win so it is normally much easier to try for three tricks on defence than 11 on offense (ie declaring). You need an extreme feature – eg a void in the opposing suit or unexpected trump length for partner – to bid Five over Five.

(A) Take this auction (you are East):

South	West	North	East
1 ♥	1 ♠	4 ♥	4 ♠
5 ♥	P	P	??

Hand i)

Hand ii)

Hand iii)

♠ A 9 6 2

♥ 4

♦ J 9 7 6 3 2

♣ Q 3

♠ J 8 6 3 2

♥ 7 5

♦ K

♣ K 8 5 4 3

♠ Q J 8 6 2

♥ -

♦ K J 10 4

♣ 9 8 7

(i). Pass. Five is for the other side.

(ii). Pass. Similarly.

(iii). 5 ♠. Exceptionally – because of the void
heart.

(B) Take this auction (you are South):

South	West	North	East
1♠	2♦	2♠	4♦
4♠	5♦	P	P
?

Hand iv)

Hand v)

Hand vi)

♠ A K J 3 2

♥ K J 6

♦ 3

♣ A Q 9 5

♠ A Q 9 6 3 2

♥ A Q 6 2

♦ J 9

♣ K

♠ A K J 5 3 2

♥ A Q J

♦ 8 4 2

♣ 4

In (B) your opponents are clearly sacrificing – they think you are making 4 ♠. The one thing you cannot do is pass 5 ♦ and let them escape undoubled.

(iv). Double. Five is for the other side. You don’t need good trumps for such high-level doubles – you will win your tricks outside.

(v). Double. Not 5 ♠. Once in a while they will make (eg if declarer has no spades). Pay off to that.

(vi). 5 ♠. Exceptionally. Partner rates to have a singleton (void) diamond so there are very few losers.

East Deals
None Vul

♠	7
♥	A 8 5 3
♦	10 4 2
♣	K 8 7 5 3

♠	J 10 9 3
♥	10
♦	K 7 6 5
♣	J 10 9 4

N
W		E
S

♠	A K Q 6 4 2
♥	9
♦	A J 9
♣	Q 6 2

♠	8 5
♥	K Q J 7 6 4 2
♦	Q 8 3
♣	A

West	North	East	South
		1 ♠	2 ♥
2 ♠	4 ♥	4 ♠	5 ♥
Pass	Pass	Dbl1	Pass
Pass	Pass

The key call. Five is for the other side. And don’t let the sacrificers escape
undoubled.

5 ♥× by South

Lead: ♠ J

West led ♠ J v 5 ♥ doubled, East overtaking with ♠ Q. East looked at dummy and realised the necessity to switch to diamonds. To beat dummy’s ♦ 10, at trick two he led ♦ J (a Surrounding Play – and the only card to secure three diamond tricks for the defence). Declarer covered with ♦ Q, West winning ♦ K and returning ♦ 5 to ♦ 4, ♦ 9 and ♦ 3. East cashed ♦ A – down two.

Best defence beats even 4 ♠. South cashes ♣ A and switches to ♥ K. North overtakes with ♥ A and plays ♣ K and a third club, ruffed.

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Andrew:

Five is for the other side