Joan Butts : Bridge Teacher & Author

Brd 29 Dlr N Both Vul (Friday 3rd September)

W
N
E
S
-
1♠
P
2♠
p
3♥
P
4♠
p
p
p
A
Q
9
8
7
6
9
6
4
A
K
3
J
K
3
K
5
T
8
7
2
K
9
8
7
3
J
5
A
8
7
3
Q
J
9
6
5
4
2
T
4
2
Q
J
T
2
5
4
A
Q
T
6

Only three pairs managed to reach game on this hand. When South shows support, North is a bit too good to pass, so a help suit game try is one way to go. The bid of 3H asks partner to focus on that suit, and to see if they can help there. "Help" is something like AJ10, QJ102, A432. South shows the help by bidding to game in spades. Usually a help try shows a hand that's better than a minimum, and has "something" in that suit (hearts in this case). Here is doesn't, but there's no need to ask for help in diamonds or clubs, so if North decides to make another try, it would be this one. 4S is a bit lucky, but then, I'd rather be lucky!

imageJoan Butts

Joan has represented Queensland and Australia in bridge over 20 years, from 1989.
She has a Bachelor of Arts degree and Diplomas in Education and Educational Psychology, and is an expert bridge teacher. Joan has a passion for bridge education, both for students and for teachers, and has developed a new approach for beginners. She has introduced new teaching methods to clubs around Australia,and is the official teacher in Queensland.
She has owned and operated her own bridge club for 20 years.