[jillybean]

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IMPs. final of national teams selection

[mycroft]

I'm sure you expected this, but:

• When is it 1? 4441, i.e. 1♦ promises 5 and no 2♦ mini-roman?
  
• What do we open with 4252 or the like - i.e. is 1♦ expected to be unbalanced?
  
• What's our NT range? What's 1♦-1M; 1NT?
  
• At national (even Canadian National) level, at least in the playoffs of Flight A, I expect it's pretty aggressive, but what is our expected minimum for 1♣?
  
• The system cards have been published for some time. Do we know what our opponents' defence is to the Artificial 1♣?

Having said that, I'm either going to bid 2NT or pass, depending on how likely I expect a pass and a reopening double, how likely partner will double 1♠ after I pass 1♥x (and what he'll likely have for it), how early we are in the match, how we're doing in the match and ...

2NT doesn't feel sufficient to compensate for 1♥x, 3NT is probably okay; but I expect the opponents have a better place to play than 1♥x and to find it. Showing the "I had a penalty double" hand next round, if LHO bids, may not be very easy; but 2NT lets them off the hook right away.

[mike777]

1NT
Conservative

If I made it to the finals bidding conservatively, not going to change now
😊

[jillybean]

1♣. nat or 12-14 bal or any 4441

1nt 15-17 any shape

https://www.nzbridge...rial%202025.pdf

[mycroft]

From what I see (unfortunately there's nothing there about 1♣ and interference that isn't double), they respond very aggressively at the 1 level, and 2NT is 10-11(12)ish (after 1♣-p, shows 4+clubs (and probably no longer or as long second suit).

I can't imagine they would be any less aggressive after an overcall.

I don't see any reason to change my opinions. Most likely, partner is 12-14 balanced/4441 (any) or 11-15 or so unbalanced with clubs. We're playing in NT or we're defending. Or the opponents psyched, there's that. That might be the reason to pass and see.

[akwoo]

My heart spots aren't so great. If 1HX is right (or 1SX is right) we probably lose 2 IMPs for -120 instead of -200 or lose 3 for -500 instead of -400. On the other hand, bidding could win 6 for +120 instead of -110 or win 5 for +400 instead of +200.

With, say, QT972, I'd pass. With this holding I'm usually bidding 2N.

[jillybean]

The auction continues

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[smerriman]

Well, the opponents seem to have had a bidding mix-up, since there has to be somewhere to run.. no choice but to pass now.

[Cyberyeti]

No need for them to have had a bidding misunderstanding, they're just playing in a 6-1 fit rather than one of their 4-3s, I agree you pass

[jillybean]

Here's the twist
west (written): "East likes XX for blood in a lot of situations. Let's find out if this is one."

This was written before North's turn to bid.

[DavidKok]

I like pass, all three rounds.

Personally I interpret West's comment as "We do not have a good agreement here, so this redouble is bid without agreements". If you interpret it differently, or want more insight into what is going on, you can ask West. I suspect that E-W are either fixed or are not on solid ground, and I expect defending to do well.
Even if we are unsure of the EW auction, we still have a partner. Partner's opening, double and pass were not forced - with an off-the-charts ODR (such as a 6-5 distribution, or a heart void) partner was allowed to do something else. I like the odds of defending 1♥XX.

[jillybean]

Here is the full hand

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[smerriman]

-1600 turned into -430/-460, I guess the opps had good poker faces!

[pescetom]

Not sure which side had the most poker face here.

[jillybean]

Update, I was concerned here that West's (written) comments may have influenced North's action but have learned that W/S were screen mates.

After this match, my bro is off the the Bermuda Bowl. If only I had the same talent.