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Daily Bulletin Number 5

The Decider
Round 10 - Women's Series
Tunisia v Egypt
Part 1

It was obvious that the match between Egypt and Tunisia might go a long way towards determining who would face South Africa in today's final, so it was the logical choice for the first VuGraph presentation of the day.

The opening board was of interest to bidding theorists.

Board 1
None Vul
Dealer North

			A K 5
			3
			A J 7 6 2
			A Q 9 4
	J 3	N W E S			Q 6 2
	A J 8 7				K 9 6 5
	Q 5 3				10 8
	J 8 6 2				10 7 5 3
			10 9 8 7 4
			Q 10 4 2
			K 9 4
			K

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Morcos	Klibi	Sarwat	Klibi
	1	Pass	1
Pass	3	Pass	3NT
All Pass

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Sfar	Maud	Ghodbane	Lily
	1	Pass	1
Pass	3	Pass	3NT
All Pass

Identical auctions to the same spot. Declarer made ten tricks in the Closed Room to give Egypt the lead by 1 IMP.

As an aside, assuming Three Clubs is forcing to game, then it looks better to bid Three Diamonds on the South cards. Then if partner bids Three Hearts, you can bid 3NT knowing that it must be the right thing to do.

If partner bids Three Spades over Three Diamonds, then you can happily bid Four Spades.
Players who use different methods with the North hand need to be sure about the meaning of these three sequences:

North	South
1	1
2	2
2

North	South
1	1
2	2
3

North	South
1	1
2	2
2	2NT
3

Okay enough theory, let's get back to the match!

			A K Q 10 6 4
			A 8
			10 9 8 4
			J
	J 8 7 5	N W E S			9 3
	10 9 3 2				Q J 7 6 4
	7 3				Q 6
	6 5 2				A K Q 7
			2
			K 5
			A K J 5 2
			10 9 8 4 3

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Sfar	Maud	Ghodbane	Lily
Pass	1	2	Dbl
Pass	4	All Pass

East cashed the ace of clubs and switched to the queen of hearts. There was no compelling reason for declarer to finesse in spades, so she scored +650.

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Morcos	Klibi	Sarwat	Klibi
Pass	1	2	Dbl
Pass	3	Pass	4
Pass	4	Pass	5
All Pass

When North bid Three Diamonds the Tunisian supporters in the audience started to get optimistic. However, North did not show her heart control and then passed her partner's correction back to diamonds.

You can understand why South started with a negative double, but suppose she had preferred a forcing Three Diamonds? Now North can either raise or make an advance cue bid. If North simply raises south is worth Four Hearts and the slam will be reached.

Board 6

			Q J 7
			A 6 2
			7 6 3 2
			A 8 7
	A 5 2	N W E S			10 6 3
	J 10 8 5 3				K Q 9 7
	9 5				Q J 4
	10 4 3				K J 2
			K 9 8 4
			4
			A K 10 8
			Q 9 6 5

Open Room
West	North	East	South
Morcos	Klibi	Sarwat	Klibi
		Pass	1
Pass	2NT	Pass	3
Pass	3	All Pass

With a singleton heart, South did not like the idea of a no-trump contract and by bidding Three Clubs she got her side to the best spot. She easily made ten tricks for +130.

Closed Room
West	North	East	South
Sfar	Maud	Ghodbane	Lily
		1	1
Pass	2	Pass	2NT
Pass	3NT	All Pass

Overcalling on a four-card suit is not always a sure route to success. When North bid Two Clubs South was not at all well placed.

3NT had no play at all on the lead of the jack of hearts and declarer was quickly two down, -200 and 6 IMPs to Tunisia.

Notice that even if South had held a five card suit, 3NT would have been hopeless but at least she would have a sensible rebid.