SBU Pairs

Ted and I had another good result in the SBU Tuesday pairs, finishing 2nd with 63%. This was despite starting with two very bad boards and having a dip in the middle. Unusually, I was actually ready ten minutes before the start and had time to settle and get a cup of tea, which surely helped.

Afterwards I didn't have any particular regrets, and on looking through the hands I still haven't found anything I think I would have done differently.

Here I made a somewhat heavy 1NT overcall, as I have 18 points and not the usual 15-17. But I think that's OK, especially vulernable, and with a not particularly good 18 points. I have likely 5 tricks, but with not much potential to develop more unless partner has something. The idea of doubling then playing 2NT opposite nothing was too much of a worry.

Of course, as it happened Ted had a decent 7 points, so naturally passed my 1NT overcall but would have gone on if I'd doubled. So we have 25 points and a double Club stop but have missed 3NT. This was a risk I was prepared to take.

In 1NT I got a Spade lead. This gives me enough time to set up dummy's Diamonds. In fact, East needs to duck the first Diamond to hold me to ten tricks, which isn't likely to happen. 1NT+3 was therefore worth 71%, beating pretty much everyone who stayed out of game.