The first segment in the Vanderbilt semi final (Grue versus Kang) was full of swings with more going to Grue than to Kang (57-35).  Two deals were played in grands.  Both of them excellent and one was missed at one of the tables.  But the biggest swing wasn’t a slam.  It was a hand played at the one level at both tables.  In the Open Room. you hold this hand and with nobody vulnerable he opens 1♦ of the nebulous short kind with a limited hand.  South overcalls 1NT.  What do you do?

Me, I pass.  I have as I count them 9 average high card points a bit more for the 10’s a bit less for the quacky nature and balanced shape.  I am not at all sure what to lead.  It looks like one of those hands which you play at the two level.  Call me mouse.  At the table Curtis Cheek decided to double and I can’t really fault that.  I am guessing a bit here but North’s pass forced a redouble and this went all pass.  1NT redoubled.  Don’t worry too much about what to lead.  Here is the whole deal and 1NT redouble is cold for two.

Dealer: Vul:	North ♠ K95 ♥ 864 ♦ Q8742 ♣ 103
West ♠ Q1064 ♥ Q102 ♦ A105 ♣ J54		East ♠ J7 ♥ AKJ3 ♦ 93 ♣ K8762
	South ♠ A832 ♥ 975 ♦ KJ6 ♣ AQ9

At the other table East opened a weak 1NT and played it there.  Somehow the defense never found the diamond suit and 1NT made 3 the other way.  However if East-West had just defended 1NT undoubled Open Room making 2 the result would have been +120 and +150 for a total of +270 or 7 imps for Kang.  The redouble made it 14.

There is no moral to this story.  And if there was one it would probably be … shit happens.