Bridge in Oz

Yesterday was my first time playing in a club game with Fran. In two deals we found our way to game in 4-3 trump fits. One was a top score and the other a near-zero.

Board 3, E-W vulnerable, South deals.





The bidding proceeded:

South   Fran    North   Rod
1♣      Dbl     Pass    1♠
Pass    2♣      Pass    2♦
Pass    3♣      Pass    4♣
Pass    4♠      All Pass

I've always thought that an auction with plenty of cue-bids and ending in a 4-3 fit is something only talented players can produce.

Fortunately with a ♥Q lead and friendly splits the contract came home. In the play it's important to note that South's failure to lead clubs suggests she does not have KQJ, and so she surely has the ♠K for her opening bid.

Remarkably, this is the only game that makes.

Then there was this one where we are North-South.

Board 19, E-W vulnerable, South deals.

Fran    West    Rod     East
1♠      2♦      Dbl     Pass
2♥      Pass    4♥      All Pass

Fran's opening was a bit light but one I might have made myself with the favorable vulnerability. Then she was stuck for a call after the negative double. In retrospect I should have tried 3♦ to give her a chance to run back to spades, but I didn't and the resulting contract ended a trick light.

I posted a poll for this deal here.

How would you bid these?

hi Rod, I think East and West headings are back to front?

They were, thanks! Fixed.