Prague Day 1 - Distributional Chaos: Swings, Bids, and Drama

Round 1 of the European Winter Bridge Transnationals opened with a dramatic hand that showcased high-level competitive bidding at its finest. 

In standard methods, without special agreements, the auction might proceed as follows:

West	North	East	South
		1♦	2♦
X	2♠	4NT	P
5♦	AP

However, not every East opened 1♦. While some pairs used 2NT as part of their standard agreements to show both minors, others jumped straight to 4NT. On the South side, some players chose to emphasize their spade suit by overcalling 1♠ rather than cuebidding 2♦. These differences in approach ultimately produced a wide range of results across the table. 

Looking at the layout, East-West could make 5♦ even with North’s strong diamond holding, while North-South could take only eight tricks in spades on perfect defense. Out of the 78 tables, 19 played in a spade contract for North-South, ranging from the 3- to 5-level, most of which were doubled regardless of the level. At the majority of tables, East-West reached 5♦, and in several cases North doubled, believing their strong trump holding might allow the contract to be defeated.

In one of the matches (Bortoletti vs. Latvia), 17 IMPs were swung as both Latvian tables made doubled contracts their way. 

Open Room:

West	North	East	South
Balasovs	Bocchi	Ilzins	Gandoglia
		1♦	2♦
X	2♠	3♦	P
3NT	X	4♣	P
4♦	P	5♦	P
P	X	P	P
XX	AP

In a wild sequence, Norberto Bocchi (Bortoletti) doubled 5♦, only for West to redouble. The contract made 11 tricks for +1000.

Photo credit: European Bridge League (Facebook)

Closed Room:

West	North	East	South
Nystrom	Olla	Upmark	Rubins
		2NT*	3♠
X	AP

*  12-15 HCP, at least 5-5 minors 

Nystrom, on the other end, unsuccessfully penalized south after his partner opened a minor showing 2NT bid. Once west put the heart ace on the table, Rubins was cold for 9 tricks. Plus 730 meant 17 IMPs for the Latvians, who went on to defeat team Bortoletti 54-19.