[Phil]

---

Matchpoints

Both 5♥ and 5♠ are -1.

Any blame to go around between NS?

[JLOGIC]

If the diamond hook is on this is cold, or if LHO has the HA and doesn't underlead it then we just need a club honor onside. Seems like a good spot to me, unlucky that RHO has the HA and LHO has the DK.

[dburn]

Phil, on 2010-December-24, 20:34, said:

Any blame to go around between NS?

Sure - if you get a bad result, you are 100% to blame. But I would attribute 0% to North, 0% to South, and 100% to the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

[Phil]

It was a flat board. I didn't see much wrong here.

Merry Christmas all.

[Fluffy]

when both contracts at the 5 level are 1 down it is very likelly you made the good decision to be declarer.

[nige1]

dburn, on 2010-December-24, 21:43, said:

Sure - if you get a bad result, you are 100% to blame. But I would attribute 0% to North, 0% to South, and 100% to the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Agree. North-South correctly took out insurance.

[ArtK78]

There are so many reasons why it is right to bid 5 over 5.

When the ♦K is onside, 5♠ is cold as long as the club honors are split. Also, if RHO wins the opening heart lead and plays back a diamond, declarer is forced to finesse diamonds. If the finesse wins, declarer can eliminate the red suits and guarantee the contract.

When the ♦K is offside:

(1) The opps may not be able to lead through the ♦AQ in time. If the opening lead is won by LHO, the opps cannot attack diamonds. If the club honors are split, only when RHO obtains the lead can a diamond be led. Now declarer goes up with the ♦A and runs the clubs, again making 5♠.

(2) If spades are 2-0, 5♥ is cold.

Only on the actual layout is it right to double 5♥.

[mfa1010]

I would not have bid 5♠ as north. Sure opposite this south hand it is ok to be in five, but south won't always have such a suitable hand.

[mikestar13]

5♠ is right at MP and an absolute no-brainer at IMPs. There are 21 total trumps and a double fit for both sides. I would think that a double game swing is far more likely than the actual result--and you only need one game to make to show a profit.

[cherdano]

mfa1010, on 2010-December-25, 12:36, said:

I would not have bid 5♠ as north. Sure opposite this south hand it is ok to be in five, but south won't always have such a suitable hand.

In fact, he may often have a 4-card suit - I think that tips the balance towards passing 5♥.

[fromageGB]

mfa1010, on 2010-December-25, 12:36, said:

I would not have bid 5♠ as north. Sure opposite this south hand it is ok to be in five, but south won't always have such a suitable hand.

Agree absolutely. Once you bid 4♠ you have done your bit. But South is the culprit for not bidding 5♠ - a sound 2-way bid, I would have thought, especially if North has a stronger way to bid 4♠, as I assume he must have.

[pooltuna]

North should be charged with lack of intestinal fortitude. He is looking at a highly probable defensive trick. The %age play looks to be to on average expect the opener to produce two defensive tricks at least more than 50% of the time.