Many who play in our state (and beyond!) know Paul Meerschaert. Paul is one of our top players. He has had fine accomplishments at the table, including two second places in NABC events; the 10K Mixed Swiss in 2016, and the Silidor Open Pairs in 2018.
Paul not only is a thoughtful and successful competitor, he is an excellent teacher. And - who better to instruct, than his honey; Sandy Fisher?
Although having been playing a far shorter time than Paul has, Sandy is bright and an eager student. Paul was kind enough to write up a bit about his travels with Sandy - and how the two of them share their love of bridge ... and one another!
Thanks, Paul - and - enjoy, everyone!
Applying New Knowledge
I wish more people played competitive bridge. When I think of all the millions of people that enjoy playing games of one sort or another it amazes me that more don’t take up this pastime on at least an occasional basis.
Then I get to play in a casual setting and see the variety of approaches and styles that different people play this game with. This is when reality sets in and I comprehend the difficulty that all the “RULES”, and “GUIDELINES”, that new players have to navigate and learn to be successful players.
It taxes my memory thinking of all the conventions and lessons I had to remember just to start to be successful at this game. No wonder more people do not want to spend the time and effort needed to have success at this demanding sport. The best way I think is to focus on why we do this or that and let players use their imagination to find a way to both enjoy the game, and have success at it. Emphasis on ENJOY!
A few years back I met a delightful, charming, and beautiful woman that had a real passion for the game, but who had little practical experience playing at anything but a beginning or intermediate level. She won my heart though with her gung-ho attitude and sincere desire to master as much of this game as time permitted.
As part of her personality is one of aggression and optimism, I recognized two traits I think are essential to success. While she is still stunned by all the pass cards I use in a typical session, she is eager and quick to apply any new thoughts I present her, whether I pass, bid, or double!
Act with Shortness
In simple terms what this means is that if the decision is close, act with shortness in the opponent’s suit, and be cautious with length, especially with three cards in their suit. So, if your RHO opens 2S pass with something like Kxx, Qx, A109xx, Kxx - but bid with x, KQx, A109xx, Kxxx preferably with a takeout double.
So, playing with my girl I pick up this hand:
KJx, K108x, J109x, Qx
After she opens 1D, I hear a 1S overcall from my RHO. A negative double seems appropriate so that is my bid. LHO has something to say and bids a preemptive 3S. Partner places the 4S bid on the table.
Hmmm. I take a little time after this bid as I want to give my partner a chance to correct it to 4H if that was her intent. I want to say, “Are you sure that is what you want to bid?” but instead put 4NT on the table.
5H is my partners quick response. I am not sure if she is answering Aces or just showing hearts but I do have good diamond support, so I give 6D a try letting partner convert to 6H if she wishes. Plus 920!
Before I present her hand remember what I said about her personality. Aggressive Optimism! Her hand is:
Void, J542, AK752, AJ73
Apparently, game was a no-brainer, so when I said act with shortness….she applied it to what her real goal was!
Bidding after Partner Opens a Weak 2
Partner open 2H and I am looking at a decent but not great hand, I have:
xx, QJxx, KQxx, KQ10x
While game is unlikely partner could have Axxxxx of heart and Axxx on the side, which would make game makeable on a finesse for the heart K. As we are playing matchpoints today I do not think that is likely. But as we have 10 hearts, they likely have a good fit somewhere, likely spades. I want to do something to try and make it harder for the opponents to enter the auction. Perhaps 2NT asking for a feature will be enough to scare them off if the decision is a close one. So that is my bid.
No luck. My LHO is there with 3S, but my partner is not deterred; 4C is her bid. Is this a secondary suit, or just the club Ace?
My RHO calls 4S and I have a decision to make. As both sides are vulnerable, my main focus is that 5H is probably not making, and as I have no idea whether 4S is on I prefer defense to taking what I think is probably a minus score in 5H.
Partner is not done yet, though,and concludes the auction with a penalty double. As partner could have something like Kx, Kxxxxx, xxx, Ax, or KJx, 109xxxx, x, Axx I pass this in hopes of a nice plus score. Alas partner’s hand is x, A109xxx, xx, AJxx, 4S is cold and 5H succeeds if partner can apply the Rabbi’s rule and drop the K of hearts offside.
It is then that my partner asks why I employed a feature ask without 15+ HCP, as that is what she was taught was correct. On reflection I can imagine many teachers saying just this. As a decent weak 2 is about 7-9 HCP one would need about 15-17 to get up to the recommended 25-26 recommended for game. I try my best to explain that not all games need 25 pure HCP, and also that 2NT might be used either as a bluff, or in a situation where you think you can count the required number or tricks for game. I can see these new thoughts circulating in her head. I cross my fingers hoping I explained it well enough!
It is not long before I find out as the next day, I pick up this hand:
x, KQJ109x, xxx, Q10x
After I open 2H, partner is there with a 2NT feature ask. As I have a good suit and a useful club holding, I decide this hand is good enough to show a club feature. Partner smiles as she bids me a heart game and puts down this dummy:
KJ108x, Ax, xx, A98x
With a spade opening lead from Q9x, xxx, Ax, Kxxx I end up making 5 when they play their partner for the singleton spade. And the very next hand I pick this up:
xx, AJ10xxx, Kxx, 10x
After I open 2H in 2nd seat partner again asks for a feature and as I now have the more traditional feature and a good suit, I am happy to show it with 3D. Partner's 3NT bid becomes the final contract. Opening leader does not find the best lead with Jxx, xxx, AQ10xx, AJ. What would you lead? This time opening leader chose their 4th best diamond. After this lead 3NT is cold, partners hand is:
AKxxx, Qx, Jx, K08x
4S, 3NT, and the 6D hand come back to back to back. 3 nice results that net us all the available match points for the round. My partner perhaps got a little carried away on the slam hand, but even if that contract had failed, we would still be scoring 67% for the round. And nothing beats the smile I am rewarded with after this round.
So, tip for the day is: 1) Act with shortness. Which translates to if you think the action is close, let shortness propel you to stretch a little. And 2) there are many reasons to proceed over a weak 2, if you can envision a good result, go for it!!
Paul Meerschaert