Bridge - The Scotsman 24/01/2012

THE Stirling Pairs is a two-session event. This year’s winners were Ann-naa Halley and Joan Forsyth (Dundee); Cliff Gillis and Maria Jackson (Glasgow) were second; Roy Bennett and Harry Smith (Falkirk) third.

4NT is rarely a natural bid. It may be Blackwood, or an invitational raise or, in competition, two places to play, minors, or a good raise in partner’s suit.

When West opened 1C on this deal the South hand looks ideal for a Michaels cue-bid, showing the majors. If North leaps to 4H over that it is difficult for East-West to play in no-trump. But South, not playing Michaels, overcalled 1H. North bid just 2H, where many would prefer a semi-preemptive jump to 3H – but even that would not dissuade East from bidding no-trump. When East bid 2NT West raised to game, hoping that partner had at least one diamond. South decided a sacrifice would be cheap – 4H loses two trump tricks and the minor suit aces. At this point West might bid 5D, down one on a spade lead. On other leads West can make 12 tricks in diamonds by finessing twice against North’s K10 of clubs, but that risks the contract, so the likely outcome is just 600 for a poor match point score.

West did not have to abandon no-trump. When an opponent sacrifices over your 3NT, 4NT is natural. South led a spade, but when declarer ran the diamonds North came under intolerable pressure and 12 tricks rolled in.