Matchpoints. Both vulnerable.
♠A K 8 6 5 3 ♥6 4 ♦— ♣J 8 7 42
| West | North | East | South |
| ? |
What’s your call?
| 1♣ | 1♦ | 1♥ | 1♠ | 1NT |
| 2♣ | 2♦ | 2♥ | 2♠ | 2NT |
| 3♣ | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT |
| 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ | 4NT |
| 5♣ | 5♦ | 5♥ | 5♠ | 5NT |
| 6♣ | 6♦ | 6♥ | 6♠ | 6NT |
| 7♣ | 7♦ | 7♥ | 7♠ | 7NT |
| Redbl | Pass |
Boehm: “2♠ . Modern.”
“2♠ ,” says Rigal. “No problem here. So long as our spades are good, we can show the 6–5 by jumping to 4♠ over the 2NT relay. Easy-peasy.”
Ditto Meyers. “2♠ , and I would bid clubs later if the opportunity arose.”
Ditto the Joyces. “2♠ . Seems automatic.”
“2♠ ,” agrees Lawrence. “Hate to let this one go. I really want to be heard early rather than later.”
Walker: “2♠ . It will be impossible to accurately show this hand later, so I might as well start misdescribing it now. The loser count suggests a three-level preempt, but that feels very dangerous.”
No surprise to find Meckstroth choosing to live dangerously. “3♠. Too much playing strength to open 2♠. If we belong in clubs, it won’t work well.”
Sanborn: “3♠. This is a matter of style. Depending on the partnership, one could open 2♠, 3♠ or pass. Against the preempt is missing a fitter in clubs, which could be the key for game or slam; but working for the 3♠ opening is getting the lead in and starting the auction at a higher level.”
The Coopers were split. “1♠. We prefer to open one with low loser count hands that have three defensive tricks. (Kitty would open three.)”
The Gordons: “1♠. It is our style to open 4♠ with this hand type, but in this case, our suits, combined with the vulnerability, suggest a more cautious approach.”
Colchamiro, too, cites playing strength as his reasoning for opening 1♠. “Sue me! Too strong for 2♠, and 3♠ is too committal.”
Robinson: “1♠. Too strong for 2♠. Don’t want to open 3♠, so 1♠ is left. I will regret this action if partner has the red suits.”
Cohen: “1♠. Too good for a preempt and it’s just not me to pass.”
The lone (human) passer — Giragosian — is still hoping the auction gets back around to him.
Want to receive the retro “It’s Your Call” by email?
Click here to subscribe.
