Watching the first of four KO32

So now there are 32 and I am observing an interesting match between Nickell and Alfrey to very good teams.  The nature of this event means that good teams are more likely to meet early which at least gives us matches to enjoy at this point.  I decide to stay in the Closed Room because I can see the results from teh Open Room.  I am not doing commentary so I can do this blog live.  I am also watching on Swan Game Live Scoring Site which allows me to track all the teams and see how each are doing on each board.

We are coming up to Board 6.  In the other room they bid 7♦ which is a laydown but I see for the online scoring that so far a  few pairs have faltered with Cayne in 7♠ and Martens in 6♠ on the 5-0.  (Not working out to well).  I am not expecting that to happen here but it just shows you that even at this level really weird bad accidents can happen.  I also see Allfrey has +800 in 7CX on Board 7.  We have reached Board 6 in a dull match so far (6-3 for Nickell).

Board 6 Dealer: E Vul: EW	Allfrey ♠ 87652 ♥ K103 ♦ 82 ♣ 972
Nickell ♠ – ♥ AQJ94 ♦ J1093 ♣ AJ106		Katz ♠ AKQJ3 ♥ 75 ♦ AKQ654 ♣
	Robinson ♠ 1094 ♥ 862 ♦ 7 ♣ KQ8543

The auction started out with Katz opening 2♣ which seems reaonsable enough.  But then Robson stuck in 4♣ making this auction much tougher.  This is passed round to Katz who bid 4♠ .  Nickell has a tough bid bt he forces with 5♣ .  Katz shows his second suit.  Nickell’s 5H must be a cuebid now (I think) and Katz 6♦ is an acceptance and here we areL

Nickell has a great hand opposite a spade-diamond strong two bid and he does bid the grand.  Good for him.  This lowscoring match is at 16-4 after 10 boards.  Board 11 is interesting.  Both tables missed a great slam which most of the field got to.  How would you bid these hands?

West ♠ AKQ975 ♥ AK963 ♦ A6 ♣

East ♠ 62 ♥ J852 ♦ KJ87 ♣ J105

South passes and you open 2♣ .  North bids 3♣ and your partner doubles.  This certainly should show values (I play it to suggest a balanced hand with cards).  South bids 4C What is your plan?  One option might be to bid 5♣ .  It has a certain symmetry and I think it should show majors here and a really big hand.   I would bid on to the six-level whatever partner’s response. This might get you to seven when partner has the right cards.  Or you could just start 6♣ with the idea of correcting 6♦ to 6♥ if there is any confusion on partner’s part.  I think the first auction shows some interest in a grand slam while the second is content to play at the six-level.   Nickell made the “practical” bid of 4♠ and played it there.  Interference over a strong 2♣ bid can certainly be effective.

Let’s see what happened at the other table. Kendrick, West opened a strong 2S bid (as described by the players at the table).  My guess is that it is in the nature of an ACOL 2-bid, here showing a strong two-suiter.  When East, Senior, bid 2NT Kendrick bid 4H showing the 6-5 and played there.  This hand as two losers and I think it is too good for this auction.  In any case a rather weird push  Not much else happened and yawn the final score for the segment was 18-10.