One (more) Great Hand with Andrew Robson

Andrew talks about a recent favourite - this one from the final of the Kaplan Blue Ribbon Pairs at the 2022 ACBL Fall Nationals in Phoenix, AZ. A delightful dramatic moment, which results from a small slip-up in play and an interesting exploration of double keycard.

[@kokki2008]

Thank you for this very interesting discussion. I've just purchased Andrew's book and look forward to reading it. I'm one of the UK players who came to Bridge in the pandemic lockdowns and therefore through online play and instruction. This exposed me to a Bridge world that is largely, although not exclusively, played in 5 card majors and strong NT. So this is all very relevant.

[@jwy4264]

Isnt it still a decent grand? Two out of: spades coming home, diamonds coming home, heart finesse. And all can be explored.

[@almightyhydra]

I must be honest, I will be a WNT + 5cM player for life. The advantages of 5cM (at the very least, 5c spade) show themselves over any 4cM system very quickly with just a few hours of play, but I remain unconvinced as to the advantages of SNT - it comes up less often, leads to space-consuming 2NT rebids in 1x-2y auctions (unless artificial methods are employed to help here), and is frequently abused resulting in possible missed slams. Meanwhile the WNT has the advantages of pre-emption, and importantly, removes WNT hands from 1x openers (so 1x openers promise either extra strength or shape). Any sensible runout system mitigates most of the impact of getting X'd - something the SNT isn't immune to itself, doubles of 1x-1y; 1NT-(X) auctions being very common. Personally, if I was to pick one system that I had to play the rest of my life, it would be WNT, 1C clubs or balanced with transfer responses, 5cM, weak-only multi 2D and Muiderberg 2M. I'd be content to switch to a SNT in 3rd and 4th seat vul.

[@rukdropov]

Nonsense.

[@Leone640]

What six ace bidding mean?

[@imSteffff]

Two trump suits agreed, so you can count the 4 normal aces, and both 'kings of trumps' totaling 6