Source: www.bawa.asn.au
If you play Standard American or Acol, you pass partner’s 1-opening at your peril even if you have fewer than five points. Because the 1-opening has such a widerange, it is easy to miss a game when opener has a strong, shapely hand. At teams this can be particularly expensive when your side is vulnerable.
This deal arose in the semi-finals of the 2000 North American Trials:
At the other table:
If the jump-shift to 3
is forcing to game, North would bid 4H, fast arrival. If 3 is only a oneround force, North can bid 3
, hoping to subside there. Of course, South would never stop below game. That is why he cue-bid 4 to show slam interest. Despite the poor texture in hearts, it would not be dreadful for South to open 2. After all South has five quick tricks and only three losers. One could imagine the partnership missing 6 if 1 is passed out and North has: 
873 5 
9862 J10953.
The problem in the previous example featured a deal from the semi-finals of the 2000 North American Trials where it cost a game if responder declined to respond, even though responder held only 4 HCP. The same loss occurred on this deal from the final of the same event and for the same reason:
Lead: 3
While the heart game here is not marvellous, it is certainly respectable at teams when vulnerable. Declarer made ten tricks for +170. At the other table:
Lead: 2
Give South a sixth heart instead of the 8 and 4 is a super spot, not one you will reach if you pass 1. Note North’s preference to 3. Declarer was able to remove West’s trumps and picked the spade position for ten tricks, +620 and +10 Imps.
If the meek will inherit the earth those who pass a one-opening will be land barons
Esta entrada también está disponible en: Spanish