Right-Siding the Contract

 

Here we look at hands where the decision of where to play is not limited to "How high?" and "Which suit (or No Trump?", but also "From which side?".

 

                                          18th June, 2008                   Board 26 

 

 

Here’s what the auction so far means:

-         2NT:  20-21

-         3♥:  Transfer

-         3♠:  Accepting the transfer

-         4♦:  A second suit

-         4♥:  A cue-bid in support of Diamonds (if East preferred Spades he would simply bid 4♠)

-         4NT:  If E-W are playing Minorwood or Redwood then that is just wonderful, but they are of no use here, the auction has crowded them out and 4NT is required for Roman Key Card.

-         5♦:  3 Key Cards (1430 responses)

-         5♥:  Queen Ask (it’s the “cheapest non-signoff”)

 

Partner is asking for the trump Queen, and as we don’t have that card it might seem obvious to bid 6♦, but let’s think again.  Can 6♦ possibly be a better contract than 6NT?  It seems unlikely.  Partner’s 6NT suggests that our side has all the Key Cards and that he is trying for 7♦ with his Queen Ask.  With our source of tricks in Clubs and with a Heart holding that may need protection from the opening lead, surely 6NT is the place to be.  Here is Partner’s actual hand: ♠ KJ863, ♥ 6, ♦ KJ852, ♣ A8.  Look what might happen to 6♦ played from the West side … a Heart lead through the AQ, after which, if the K♥ is offside and the Q♦ is not picked up, the contract is down one.  6NT from the East side not only scores better but is also iron-clad.

 

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