The pendulum – Summer National Pairs Finals – Session 1

Vagaries of Matchpoint bridge reared its head once again, when Jaggy tried to make 5 in 4♥  contract, and was promptly punished. A safe line for 10 tricks was available.. but one can’t give up on the chance to make an odds on overtrick.

Our most disastrous result of the event happened when both of us decided to take the low road against a preempt

Laltu opened a non classical 2♥ .

As North I could have doubled it, but length in heart and 2 cards in diamonds swayed me the other way. I expected that most of the time partner will be able to balance with his expected shortage in hearts, and that way I’ll be able to describe better.

In the balancing seat, Jaggy could have stretched to balance 2NT. In retrospect, my action was perhaps more warranted, especially knowing Laltu’s propensity to open weak 2 with 5 cards.

Taking the contract 5 down was no joy, as we are cold for a no trump game our way. 

This was an ice cold zero for us..

 

Soon after, Sayantan and Anindya bid a good 6♦ against us. In any matchpoint field, bidding a slam pretty much assures you of 65% score unless its a huge surplus of tricks and values. Same was the case here.