Continuation

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K8
♥AQ942
♦QT54
♣A9

You are Dealer. We decided last post to open the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner responds 1NT.

What is your call?

Show Answer

2♦

You have a lower ranking four card suit. You are supposed to take Partner out of their 1NT bid and bid your lower ranking suit. You are not even close to jumping to show a nice hand. That would force the bidding to game even if Partner has 6 points!

If you bid 2♦ Partner can (and will!) "PASS".

You can take 10 tricks if ♦ are trump. That's 130 points.

If you "Pass" Partner's 1NT response they can take 7 tricks. (The Opponent's have quite a few ♠ and Partner cannot trump them in 1NT!) That's 90 points.

If you opened the bidding 1NT (last post) then Partner will respond 2NT -- they have 9 HCP -- and even though you will "Pass" the bidding has gotten too high. You will go down in 2NT and lose 100 points.