BRIDGE —
Jump for joy
Andrew Robson
I AM frequently asked to name trlY, favourite convention. I am not a fan 0' many conventions: they clutter the memorY and are generally unnecessary — as the current World Champions from France have shown.
But the Jacoby convention is simple, fie' quently occurs and is effective. Playing Jacoby, a jump response of 2NT to a suit opening bid (generally used over majors only but there is no reason not to use it over minors) shows at least game values and four or more trumps. Simple as that.
Dealer South Both vulnerable 4 A Q 7 4 A 7 6 3 • K 8 6 4 3 2109 6 2 V Q 105 • 10 6 4 A K 9 8 J 8 5 3 2 Q 7 4 3 Bidding South West North East 14 pass 2NT pass 3• pass 64 pass pass Unless playing Jacoby, North would be forced to jump to 44 over 14, and the excellent slam contract would be missed. Playing Jacoby, a jump to 44/1/ is an unambiguously preemptive bid — a further ? advantage of the convention. Over North s 2NT, South was able to introduce his •s at a low level, inferentially promising a slat' interested hand — with a minimum open- ing bid South would have jumped to 4.: North's • holding was so suitable that If his partner was thinking of slam, he could bid it. Swap North's minor suits and he would have signed off in 44. West led +Q and East overtook with 4K and tried to cash +A, South trumping' He led to dummy's 4A and, observing the foul split, turned his attention to 40s. He, cashed dummy's •K, crossed to •Q trumped a low • with 40. He led 44 to East's 49 and his 4J. He crossed to Irk, played 47 to his 48, drew East's 410 with 4K and his hand was high. 4 — V J 9 8 4 • J 9 5 2 Q J 107 2 2K V K • A 4 5 The
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