[gordontd]

Last night was the final game of the Young Chelsea at Barkston Gardens in Earls Court, where it has been for more than forty years, before moving to its new home alongside the Queens Tennis Club in Baron's Court.

Former members came from all over the country to play, and there were 60 pairs (including a pair of three) with tables squashed into every available corner and two in the bar - just like the old days.

This hand was my most expensive error of the night. Maybe you wouldn't (or I shouldn't) double, but the lead is the thing. Get it right and you are +200, get it wrong (as I did) and it's -990, a difference of nearly 20 IMPs.

---

[Fluffy]

if partner has hearts we must lead them now.
If partner has clubs we should either lead trump or a club.

I won't be a dreamer who thinks partner should bid 4♣ with minors, but I think there is more upside on a heart lead.

[nige1]

gordontd, on 2013-July-20, 03:02, said:

Last night was the final game of the Young Chelsea at Barkston Gardens in Earls Court, where it has been for more than forty years, before moving to its new home alongside the Queens Tennis Club in Baron's Court. Former members came from all over the country to play, and there were 60 pairs (including a pair of three) with tables squashed into every available corner and two in the bar - just like the old days. This hand was my most expensive error of the night. Maybe you wouldn't (or I shouldn't) double, but the lead is the thing. Get it right and you are +200, get it wrong (as I did) and it's -990, a difference of nearly 20 IMPs.

---

Fond memories of Warwick Pitch and the Young Chelsea, in the 70s
IMO ♣Q = 10, ♦A = 9, ♠K = 8, ♥7 = 4. Partner's 4♦ (with a poor suit) shows extra length, so your double was brave and a ♣ your best hope.

[1eyedjack]

Pure curiosity, but why did the club move?

[gordontd]

1eyedjack, on 2013-July-20, 06:27, said:

Pure curiosity, but why did the club move?

The lease ran out, and the landlord wanted to use it for other purposes.

[1eyedjack]

K thanks for info will pay a visit to new place when next in the smoke I hope. I always get handed a sound thrashing when I play there. Good cure for inflated ego.

Anyway, egg on face I expect to be sole vote for D Ace. If it stands up it might not do later, and it buys a peek. Trying not to be influenced by knowledge of how critical it is.

[jallerton]

What is our agreement about the 2NT bid?

[gordontd]

jallerton, on 2013-July-20, 12:59, said:

What is our agreement about the 2NT bid?

Nothing specific - he wasn't a very regular partner. So I assumed the minors, but wouldn't have been too surprised to have found it to have been any two suits.

[Siegmund]

Well, I thought the lead I chose was obvious, then saw the answers to the poll are a 4-way tie so far, so apparently not.

[gszes]

opposite our "nothing bid of 3d p has freely bid 4d that means they
had enough to originally bid 3s with hearts and a minor. That means
the original 2n bid had to be the minors and if we have a side source
of tricks it is bound to be in clubs. It will be shocking of we have any
dia tricks and the spade K or Q leads takes a huge risk in giving
up a spade trick at the risk of not only losing a tempo but probably
not even cutting down on ruffs due to lho being sort of balanced.



While leading a low club makes some sense in a dfferent auction here
we do not want p to think we might have club length and have them make
an ill timed shift to a dia when we could cash 2 clubs.

[gordontd]

In common with the largest group of respondents here, I led ♣Q. As you will see from the full hand below, a diamond was the killing lead.

---