Pattaya
bridge Club News-sheets Index
News-sheet No.
Ż
1 Map (to the Soi 4 and Amari locations).
Playing conditions, standards etc.
2 Manners
and Etiquette at our Bridge Club.
3 Responses to a Strong
(15-17) NT.
Psychic Bidding (not allowed at our club).
Controlled
Psyches (absolutely not allowed at our club).
A
1NT opening must have at least 2 cards in each suit.
The most (in)famous controlled psyches in Bridge history? (Bermuda Bowl, 1966).
4 Stayman.
Thinking in defence.
Requirements for Slam.
Hand Evaluation.
Your hand is worth
less with just a doubleton in partner’s suit.
Pre-empt with two
aces?
Help-suit
game try as a slam try.
6 No
Trump Bids and Rebids.
A
Double of 1NT.
7 Transfers
over 1NT.
9 Strong
or Weak NT?
Negative
(Sputnick) Doubles.
Worth
an Opening? (deduct a point for 4333 type shape).
Who
should make the try?
11 A
Complete Mis-fit.
Weak twos.
The Opening 1NT Bid.
A New Suit at the two
level after
DONT (Double Of No-Trump – a defence to the strong NT opener).
12 Opening 1NT with a 5 card major?
7 down in a 1 level contract!
The NT rebid.
Opening 1NT with a 6 card minor?
Blackwood.
13 Roman Key Card
Blackwood.
Raising Partner’s Minor.
14 Passed Out!
Roman Key Card
Blackwood.
Responding to
Partner’s 1♣ Opening.
15 Responding to Partner’s Pre-empt.
The prepared ♣.
Hand Evaluation.
Have they both (Chuck and Hans) lost their marbles?
After Partner
Reverses.
Multi Landy - A
Defence to 1NT.
16 The reverse.
Lebensohl after
partner’s reverse.
Pre-empt Only Once.
Raising Partner’s
Pre-empt.
Spot the Correct Bid!
It’s all about Shape.
17 Doubles .
RKCB - A Matter of
Logic.
Responding to
Partner’s take-out double.
18 Take-out doubles.
Responses to
Partner’s take-out Double.
NT rebid with a void?
No Sensible Opening Bid (because no strong two or Benjamin).
way too strong for a 1NT rebid.
re-open with a double
playing negative doubles?
19 Your 2nd bid
having transferred.
The Power of the 4-4
fit.
double 1♠ with 3 small ♥’s?
Specific Types of
Doubles.
The 2NT Response to a
suit bid.
20 Raising Partner’s 1NT
response.
The 1NT Response.
The 1NT overcall
how many stops for a 1NT overcall?
The 2♦ Opening. – numerous options: -
The weak 2♦
The strong 2♦
Flannery 2♦
The Multi 2♦
Benjamin Twos.
Support Doubles.
bid a 5 card minor before a 4 card major with a big responding hand?
Stayman after intervention.
Sitting under a
Strong NT (be wary).
The Jump Rebid in NT
shows 18-19.
Open a weak NT in 3rd Seat?
♣ AKQ10865 is too good for a 3♣ opener.
a 4♠ opener?
Respond to Partner’s
Opening if Possible.
Leading Against NT.
26 A strong 1NT opener?
♠Axx ♥Axx ♦Axxx ♣Axx is a 1NT opener?
a simple overcall guarantees 11+ points??
27 Don’t make a take-out double with a two-suiter.
Never deny a 4 card
major!
Simple Math(s).
A Strong (15-17) 1NT
opener?
29 How Do You Expect Suits
to
Scoring.
A Take-Out Double is playable
in the other 3 suits.
Minor Suit Contracts?
– NT is usually preferable.
Keep the Dangerous
Opponent out.
Impossible? - A Magic
Trick? (Chuck at his best!).
No Rebid?
Eight ever, nine
never – the odds.
(Strong) 1NT Openers?
Open 1NT with Two
Doubletons?
open 1NT or reverse?
31 The Law of Total Tricks.
Quantitative, Normal
Blackwood, RKCB, Gerber, Splinter or what?
You have a minor suit
and Partner opens 1NT.
How Greedy are You?
Lead a trump when
partner passes your take-out double.
32 A one-level ‘penalty’
double?
Raising Partner’s
opening Major to Game.
‘Silly’ Stayman? (1NT - 2♣ - 2NT).
33 Bidding Stayman When
5-4 (or 4-5) in the Majors.
The take-out double and response.
Double or overcall.
When not to use
Stayma
34 Alert
‘Conventions’ that are not well know
The Jump Shift (Jump
Response in English).
Always
respond to partner’s opening with 6+ points.
35 DOPI
(Double 0 Pass 1).
Denying
a 4 card major.
36 A New Suit at the three
Level.
Game when Responder
has 14 Points?
4NT, Blackwood or
Quantitive?
7 points opposite
partner’s 1NT overcall.
Bidding the opponent’s suit.
What do you open when
5-5 in the black suits?
37 No Game when Responder
has 14 Points – Chuck’s input.
Bidding Opponent’s
Suit need not be alerted.
38 What is Acol? – It’s not Dutch.
Overcalls and Jump
Overcalls.
1♠ - 2♦ - 3♣ is game forcing.
Responding 1NT to
partner’s 1♣ opening.
Lead the A from AK?
39 Well Excuse Me for
Bidding My Hand! (don’t pass partner’s game try).
Transfers over 2NT.
Negative Doubles at
the Two Level.
Push ’em Up and
Double?!
Play the big one you
dummy!
Redouble ! of 1NT.
♠KQ3 ♥9872 ♦K92 ♣A76 - Do You Open ?
Open 1NT with a good
5-card major?
Open 3♠ with ♠ AKQ10943?
Pre-empt in 4th
seat?
40 The Power of a Fit.
A
Two level response is 11+
Inviting
after a Transfer.
The
Jump Rebid.
Responder
skips a 4 Card Major and bids it later?
Open
a 4 Card Major playing Acol?
41 Inviting After a Transfer.
Redouble ? Chuck says I should Go back
to
That ¨
slam, well bid or lucky?
42 You need close to an opening
hand to overcall at the 2-level.
Don’t double when you can
overcall 1NT.
Super Accept? – a good game missed.
A psyche followed by
another (controlled) psyche! – gets you ‘Chucked’ out!
A Direct Cue Bid at
the 4 level – A big Hand!
Rebid a 6 card ♠ suit or a 4 card ♥ suit?
Mini Roman 2♦ Anyone? (The
43 Chuck Chuck out?
Don’t bid 3NT with no
stopper in their suit!
Super acceptance of a transfer (breaking the transfer after opening 1NT).
44 Classic Garbage
(Stayman).
Worth an Invitation
after partner’s 1NT?
Low Level Penalty
Doubles? – a comprehensive look.
45 Responding with game
values.
Passing partner’s
take-out or ‘automatic’ double?
Denying a 4 card
major.
A 1NT rebid does not promise all suits stopped.
The 2NT and 3NT
rebids.
46 Stayman with a weak
hand?
The Killing Lead.
Don’t get too high
(or bid NT) on a mis-fit.
Accept the
Invitation?
A Jump Rebid?
47 At King Arthur’s Court – three golden sovereigns.
Raise partner’s 1NT
response to 2NT with a good 16+ points.
48 At
King Arthur’s Court – Whirlwind, the
hunting hawk.
A
Minor Suit Fit?
Negative
free bids are not standard.
A
Good Slam Missed by Nearly Everybody.
Don’t
pre-empt with an outside 4-card major.
Two(!) Chinese Finesses.
Worth
a Vulnerable Pre-empt?
Is
It Forcing? – Reverses, Jump responses and rebids etc.
Bid
Your Hand Just Once.
An
Endplay.
49 An
Interesting Hand All Round.
Raise
1♠ to 2♠ or 3♠ holding ♠10753 ♥KQ4 ♦J94 ♣A75 ?
Discards
in Defence - Lavinthal (aka McKenney).
A
Silly NT contract (two weak doubletons).
Preference.
Raising
Partner’s Pre-empt – what is 3♠ - 5♠?
Garbage
Stayman.
50 At
King Arthur’s Court – the pet goldfish.
The
Power of the good 4-4 Fit (can be better than 5-4).
Inviting
after partner opens with a Weak Two (Ogust).
When
LHO Redoubles.
How
Many Points for Stayman?
bid
1NT or 2♥ when patner opens 1♥ and you have ♠965 ♥ Q93 ♦K964 ♣A53 ?
Overcall
or Double or What? (bid 1NT).
51 Bid
over partner’s 1♣ opening if you possibly can.
How
many ♣’s?
A
dificult slam to Bbid? – play splinters.
The
Law of Total Tricks.
Outgunned
5-1? – Maybe, but I’m not down and out! 1♦ - 1♥ - 3♦ - 3♥ is forcing!
52 At King Arthur’s Court
– what colour hat?
Devalue a hand with a void in partner’s suit.
Jump
rebids show good six card suits.
53 At
King Arthur’s Court – two black pebbles.
Unauthorised
Information.
Bid
Your Hand Just Once.
Balancing.
Pass
partner with a singleton?
Raising
partner’s 3♣ pre-empt to 4♣ is not ace-asking!
54 At King Arthur’s Court
– which door?
Raising
Partner’s Pre-empt.
7 good cards – bid 4♠ opposite partner’s opener.
1♥ - 2♣ - 3♣ - 3♥ is invitational (3-card
support) unless you play 2/1.
Inviting to game in competition.
Occasionally
a 5-3 fit is better than 4-4 (when you can ruff with the short trump hand).
When
NT is better than a 5-3 Fit.
55 Passed
Hand Bidding.
Don’t pass partner’s 1♣ with ♣ shortage.
Your
next bid after transferring.
1NT
response must have a stopper in all the unbid suits??
A
new suit by a limited hand is weak.
At
King Arthur’s Court – he’s my son.
Don’t
bid 4♥ and why 4♥ failed.
56 Bidding
Game With No Support?
Take
advantage of the possession of the ♠ suit.
When
you know that the opponents are in an inferior contract, do not double.
When
Your
opening 1NT MUST be within your
allotted range +-1 (and NO singleton).
Raising Partner’s Pre-empt.
57 Once is Enough – don’t bid your hand
twice.
Twice, OK. But three times?
Your Rebid Having Transferred.
About Super-Accepts.
Splinters
really are worth mastering.
When
Partner Doubles.
Raising
Partner’s Pre-empt.
58 Find
a forcing bid.
A
take-out double needs to be playable in the other three suits.
3NT
is usually better than 5 of a minor.
A
two-level response after an intervening double (it’s weak).
A
two-level response after an intervening double.
Passing
Partner’s Better Minor?
Transfer
with a weak hand?
59 6NT
scores more than 6 of a minor.
One
does not have to rebid if
Stayman etc when
Defending
against
Opener is 5-4 and partner responds
1NT.
You
don’t always have to bid as high as ‘The Law’ allows.
60 That
Law Again.
All
the Aces and all the Kingsmen.
The
strip and throw-in.
Splinters
really do work.
Five
of a Minor is rarely the best contract.
1♠ - 1NT - 3♣ is forcing.
61 The 2♣ opening.
The jump in
partner’s major when he negative doubles.
Double
with 6 top ‘trumps’? No!
The
Strong Jump Overcall (playing traditional Acol).
The
Strong 2♥/♠ (playing traditional Acol).
62 Responding to Partner’s Negative Double.
Double for
Penalties? – With AJxx sitting over the bidder, double!
A new suit response at the two level is a good 10+ points.
Responding 2♥ to partner’s 1♠ opening.
A Pre-emptive opener? – what do you open with ♠106 ♥98 ♦6 ♣AKJ108643 ?
An Opening Bid? –
points in the long suits are good.
An Opening Bid in 4th
seat? (rule of 15).
A Bad Hand for the
Weak NT?
A Poor 6NT – to
make 6NT you generally need about 33 points.
63 Is it Strong, Weak,
Forcing or whatever? – a few sequences to test you.
Double 1NT? – it’s
for penalties, generally 15-18.
A Solid Overcall! – don’t simply overcall with
a two-loser hand.
What’s Your rebid? – you can lie in ♥’s if you can support partner’s ♠’s.
1♥ - 1♠ - 3♦ is game forcing – opener had
♠ - ♥KQ9852 ♦AQ987 ♣A8
Game with 20
points? – a good 4-4 is better than 6-3.
Pass partner’s
opening 1¨? Not me with 2
small ♦’s and 5 points.
What is that 4♣ bid? – a cue bid (showing 1st round control).
What is that 4♣ bid again? – this time it’s confusion.
Trust partner? – if
opponents bid and partner bids NT, then he has a stop(s).
A re-opening
Double? – a nice penalty playing negative doubles.
Fast arrival – a
jump to game in a game forcing auction is weak.
64
Just doin’ my ‘job’? – the
cavemen think not too well.
Questions and Alerts – what’s alertable or not at this club.
Calling me a liar! Don’t say I’ve lied when others can back me up.
That Law again – my nemesis says I should explain – but he ignores it anyway!
Explaining What I
Say! – why a 2♥ response to a 1♠ opening promises 5 ♥’s.
Responding to
Partner’s Double – bidding the opponent’s suit is not natural.
A Mis-fit – with ♠2 ♥A ♦AK98764 ♣J1062 pass partner’s 2♠ opening.
Another Mis-fit? –
don’t open 2♣ with two-suiters.
Don’t open 1NT way
out of range – 19 pts, 22(!) pts, seems one member has no clue.
Stayman, transfers etc after a 2NT opening? – play the same after 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT.
65-78 The Beginner’s Page (Basic Standard American)
Never
deny a Four Card Major.
Support with Support (1♣ - 1♠ - 2♠) with 3
♠’s?
Hand Evaluation – ‘good’ 15 counts and ‘bad’ 15 counts.
How do you
play the ♣
suit? – make the opponents play it! (an end-play)
Virtually
always re-open with a double when playing negative
doubles.
Who should bid? – Balancing, or protection.
Finding a fit? –
you can play in 5♣/♦ with a singleton ♥ each!
66 Support
with just 3 cards? – the jump to 3 is normally 5 cards(1♣ - 1♥ - 3♥?).
1NT
- 4NT = quantitative.
A
Tangled Web – when you don’t play inverted minors.
The
3NT rebid – usually a good long minor.
If
you really want to play 4-card majors, the open 1♥ when
4-4 (up the line).
Nice Bidding – a good 5-2 fit is playable and is preferable to NT if a suit is wide open.
A Word About the
Scoring – when you sit out you get your average (not 50%).
How do you bid slam? – Splinters really are worth mastering.
Overcalls
are 5 card suits – and if partner bids it’s not forcing.
67 Stayman with a flat
hand? – 1NT – 3NT with a 4 card major?
How many points for
a Stayman? – Garbage Stayman promises no points.
How many points for
a negative double? – only enough to compete to the next level.
When not to play in
the 4-4 fit – with a weak suit in slam.
A word about Qx – it’s better in declarer’s hand.
A terrible pre-empt – pre-empts are 7 card suits.
A
slam with a void – exclusion Blackwood.
After an intervening double,
redouble with 9 or more points and a mis-fit for partner.
Responding to partner’s take-out
double – usually bid your cheapest 4
card suit.
Rebid another suit or pass
partner’s 1NT response? – with 5-4, bid.
Rebid a 5 card suit? – do not pass 1NT with an
unsuitable shape.
A tricky 2nd bid? – 2NT by responder is 11-12
points.
68 A Tactical Double – ♠KJ103 sitting over the ♠ bidder in an
invitational auction.
Don’t open
two-suiters with 2♣ – open
1♥ with ♠AKQ65 ♥QJ10865 ♦KQ ♣ -
Invitational
(+) values for Stayman – unless is ‘Garbage’ shape (short ♣’s).
Don’t double/overcall with rubbish – keep quiet with ♠A974 ♥J73 ♦3 ♣K9832
Enough for Slam? –
You need 33+ points for 6NT but just 31 with a good 4-4 fit.
The
4♠ scores more than 5♦ – the 6-2
♠ fit scores more than the 6-4 ♦ fit.
Super-Accept of a
transfer – showing a non-min and 4
trumps.
69 Splinters – 3 pages of explanations.
An Easy Top – deduct a point for a completely flat (4333
type) shape.
You then need 11 points for a new suit at the
two level or for 2NT.
Bad
Bidding from Books? – play books frequently have bad bidding!
A Double of 1NT is
penalties - you need 15 + points (or a good long suit).
70
Void in partner’s weak two!
Pass partner’s 2♠ holding
♠- ♥Q10864 ♦AQ1085 ♣KQ9.
A tricky bid –
preference by partner may easily be just two cards.
Systems on, Systems off.
3¨ after Stayman? – it has to be agreed with your partner.
Trust Partner – do
not remove partner’s penalty double
because you have overbid.
A one-level penalty
double? – don’t bid 2NT if you can penalise them.
Pre-empt Just Once
- having pre-empted, never bid again
unless partner invites.
Tea and Cucumber sandwiches (a flat 11 enough to raise a weak 1NT to 2NT?)
A 5-3 fit or 3NT? –
with points outside, go for 3NT.
Raising partner’s major directly to 4 is weak – it is most certainly not a slam invitation.
71 Obey The Law – be
content with having pushed them up.
A 5-3 fit or 3NT? if it’s a close decision think about who is declarer and the opening lead.
1♠ or slam! – don’t pass partner’s opening with 6 points.
Responding to Partner’s 1♥/♠ Opening (1NT does not promise a balanced hand).
A word about the weak NT – with Acol
you can respond at the 2-level with 8 points.
Overcall or double?
– A simple overcall is often best in preference to a double.
Worth a raise? – partner overcalls 2♦ and you have: ♠J10964 ♥J98 ♦Q10943 ♣ -.
A 2♣ opener or what? – balanced 25 point hand, then Benji works.
The 3NT opener
(either directly or via 2♣) with 25+ points
sucks.
A 2NT opener or what? ♠A7 ♥K8 ♦KQ2 ♣AKQ984 is too good for 2NT.
Good enough for
slam? – the jump suit response shows a good
long suit.
Good enough for slam? – 16
opposite a minimum hand is not enough.
72
About Bulls and
Raise 1NT to 2NT? – deduct a point for totally flat (4333 type) shape.
Raise 1NT to 2NT? –
not with 7 points, especially if the opponents compete.
Benjamin Twos – a
couple of pages.
The Problem with Playing Tricks.
A Jump to 3♠ after a Benjamin 2♣? – some play it as
9 playing tricks.
A Straightforward Benjamin Two ♠AKQ986 ♥K32 ♦3 ♣AK7 is not worth 2♦.
A poor pre-empt: ♠ - ♥A75432 ♦J10965 ♣A3 opened 4♥!
When Partner Pauses
and Passes – the most popular director call!
73 The two-level
response – the strength of your
opening NT has repercussions elsewhere.
A 4♦ Opening? – I prefer Namyats.
A 4♦ Opening? – If you think that the 5 level is a good bet then open five.
Quacks – 4 queens
and two jacks are not worth 10 points.
Go to Jail, do not pass Go – deduct a point for totally flat 4333 type hands.
Another deal which
is just another example of how badly flat 4333 type hands play.
After partner’s 1NT
opening has been overcalled double is 100% for penalties.
74 Responding to 1♣/♦ with 5 ♠’s and 4 ♥’s –
Checkback or NMF.
A 1NT opener? – two
doubletons, fine if they are Qx or better.
When an opponent
bids your suit…it’s usually best to pass.
Too strong for a 1♥ opener? - a 3514 21 count.
A 3NT rebid? – do not lie about your points with either your NT opening or NT rebid.
A 3NT rebid? – the jump to 2NT shows 18-19 points so don’t bid 3NT.
4 Card Majors – Dutch Acol is not Acol.
Respond with 6 points! Don’t pass partner’s 1-level suit opening when you have 6 points.
‘I would object’! –
If you play complex/non-standard conventions then you must alert.
75
A nice sequence – a free bid promises values (about 6-9, could be
less with good shape).
When they interfere with our big bid – pass unless you have something definite to say.
Bid game or double?
– AK of the opponent’s suit are good cards, declaring or defending.
Beware of favourable vulnerability? Don’t sacrifice against contracts that are not making.
Perfect partners? Be sensible and upgrade for long major suits, singletons, aces etc. etc.
The sequence 1x – 1NT – 2NT shows 17-18 points. This is true whatever system you play
A poor Pre-empt – do not pre-empt with a 4 card major.
An Easy Game Missed – don’t make an invitational bid with a game-going hand.
Using 4th suit forcing – raising partner or rebidding one’s own suit after 4th suit is forcing.
Bid that 4 card major – do not go past 3NT without due thought.
Don’t rebid a 2
card suit – Jeff psyching again.
Sense and
(Non)sensibility – do not overcall with 4 card suits.
Do not generally
overcall with 4 card suits, remember the 1NT overcall (15-18 points).
Don’t bid your hand twice – bidding your hand twice makes it easy for the opponents.
Return to
Bidding the Fourth
Suit (after LHO opponent’s overcall) – is it a reverse?
For those
inexperienced ears – is it a reverse?
That 3NT rebid yet
again – it a good long minor.
Don’t hit me with those negative waves - (Finding and) losing a 4-4 fit.
4-4 is better than 5-3 – because you
get discards on the 5-card suit.
How much is an honour worth? – a few
Marty Bergen tips on hand evaluation.
Overcall with a big hand? – A 4♣/♦
overcall is a weak bid.
How many points for a negative
double of 1♠?
- 4 or more ♥’s and 6 or more points.
When an opponent bids your suit…
it’s usually best to pass.
Be wary of doubling opponents with
length and strength in partner’s suit.
78 No idea about pre-empts – with a strong hand make a strong bid!
‘The ideal pre-empt is
topless with a good body’ – Marty Bergen.
The Big Guns Disagree – Hans and
Chuck at odds over Jeff’s atrocious bidding.
That 3NT rebid yet again – the 3NT
rebid is a good hand with a long (semi) solid suit.
Is 4NT over partner’s 3NT natural or
Blackwood?
A Moysian Fit. A 4-3 fit is fine if
you can ruff in the hand with short trumps.
79 Nobody finds the 4-4 fit – everybody in
a hopeless game and not even in the 4-4 ♥ fit.
That 3NT rebid – don’t make a
non-forcing (2NT or 3¨) rebid with 8 tricks in hand!
No Sensible bid? – open 1NT and you have no rebid problems.
No Sensible bid? – open 1NT with Ş96 ♥AKQ8
♦764
♣AK75?
5-3 fit or NT? 3NT if most of the points are outside the suit.
Splinters – an easy 6♠ missed
because of no splinter.
Worth a jump raise? 1♦ -
1♠ - 3♠ – 12 points from opener is not enough.
Bid a 3 card suit when partner
doubles for take-out? – it’s usually not a good idea.
A reverse promises greater
length in the 1st bid suit.
All NT responses to
partner’s opening are Limit bids.
Poor slam bidding – 28-30 may be enough for a small slam if you have a fit.
Pre-empt with 6 ♣’s? – ♠K85 ♥4 ♦J95 ♣AQ9765?
Strong Hand Bidding – 1♠ - 2♦ - 2♠ - 3♣, responder may have ‘dug up’ the ♣’s.
A plug for 2/1 – Strong hand bidding is easy as it’s game
forcing after 1♠
- 2♦
Strong Hand Bidding – do not bid Blackwood with a wide open suit.
105 You can overcall at the two level with 11-17 points.
Cheating
again? – Alex took a strange view opposite Thorlief’s
‘psyche’.
114 How big a hand (what does 1NT show here)? 1♦ - pass – pass - 1♠ - 1NT?
How much of a stop
for 1NT after partner’s take-out double?
An advanced
sacrifice? – don’t bid 5♣ if 3NT is an
option.
1NT difficult to
reach?
3NT by South
whatever? – get the right hand as declarer
3NT or a 5-3 major
suit fit?
Play in a major? When 5-5 in the majors a major suit contract is
usually best, but …
N-S made it easy for E-W? open a shapely hand with points in the
long suits.
Compressed
transfers (what a silly convention).
Transfers to a specific minor.
Count Your Cards –
or get an adjusted score.
Worth
a weak jump overcall?
What does it mean? – a jump to 3♥/♠ opposite partner’s 1NT opening.
114 Cheating yet again?
Should I give an
adjusted score? – not if you make a silly bid over their silly bid.
How many points for game? – 5 deals
illustrating different aspects of hand evaluation.
Intervening over a strong 2♣ opener.
The direct raise to 4♥/♠ is weak.
Look for the 4-4 major suit fit – 3 deals illustrating a 4♥/♠ playing better than 3NT.
Alex answers back
– a load of twaddle.
Is that double of 3♦ for penalty? – obviously if you slam it down hard!
Don't double with
length in the suit opened.
A much more
sensible double – an example of a textbook take-out double
Who overbid? A
singleton (even a queen) in partner’s 5 card suit is a miserable holding.
3NT is usually
better than 5 of a minor
Play ‘Systems on’
after a 1NT overcall.
With a good hand,
take it slowly in a game-forcing sequence.
117 Chuck
and Thorlief are let back in (on probation).
A well bid slam –
cue bid and then use RKCB
Bad timing – You
cannot pre-empt over a pre-empt
Bad timing –
Pre-empt to the limit at the first opportunity.
3NT is usually
better than 5 of a minor
What’s a 2♣ overcall over a 1♣ opening? – typical
Alex/Jeff theatrics
A ridiculous 5♦ bid? – why, it’s Thorlief ‘cheating’.
A Game Forcing Auction? 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♠ ….
That flat 4333 type shape again –
deduct a point
118 A sound overcall? – a great 18 count is too good for a simple overcall.
A Sound Sacrifice? – 1700 away – more Alex/Jeff theatrics.
Totally automatic?
– With a balanced hand in the 12-14 point range, rebid 1NT.
How to bid the grand? – Kickback in conjunction with Double RKCB!
An automatic
Squeeze – even if you’re not a squeeze expert, play out your winners.
An outright psyche
(the tables are turned on Chuck).
119 What went wrong? – same as always, deduct
a point for the 4333 type shape.
What went wrong? –
1♠ - 2♦ - 3♣ shows a big hand unless otherwise agreed.
What went wrong? –
understand balancing.
What went wrong? –
once you have opened 2§ there is
no need to leap off to game.
What went wrong? – deduct a point for the totally flat 4333 type shape.
The SOS redouble
Only pass
partner’s take-out double with excellent trumps.
A pairs double – look for the ‘magic’ 200 at pairs scoring.
What’s it all about …? – More Jeff
theatratics.
120
What went wrong? – KQJxxx is
worth far more than 6 points.
Look for the 4-4
fit, even in a minor if you envisage slam.
Doubling a 1NT
overcall (9+ pts)
That 4333 type shape again
121 An opening 2NT? – With a balanced 18-19 points, open a suit and then jump in NT.
Cover an honour with an honour?
The dog that did not bark in the night.
Don’t open at the two level (2NT or
whatever) with a flat 19 count.
5-4 in the majors opposite a 1NT opening.
6NT scores more than 6♥ - With 12 (or 13) top tricks, NT scores more than a suit.
The Unusual NT (UNT)
Don’t pass partner’s 1♣ opening if you can possibly muster up a bid.
5-5 is worth a noise? – 5-5 in the
majors is good.
Simple Preference.
Bid your hand 3 times??? – Bid your
hand just once, three times really is excessive.
122 The 8 table Mitchell is just 24 boards, so I’ve devised a 27 (or 30) movement.
Play Stayman (and transfers) over 2NT
So how do you bid slam? – finding a
minor suit slam after a 2NT opening.
Understanding
Stayman.
The dog should not
bark!
The 1NT rebid
after partner does not respond.
A one-level
overcall is around 7-16 points.
An easy game
missed – 4144 is great when partner bids a major.
Way overboard -
Deduct a point for the totally flat 4333 type shape.
Stronger than a
normal reverse – a reverse after partner has passed.
A 2NT response
after
Which finesse? –
don’t take an unnecessary finesse.
Watch your
partner’s discards, and keep a guard in the suit that partner is discarding.
5-5 majors
opposite 1NT
Redouble is for
Blood.
Play a convention
over the opponent’s 1NT, but don’t play DONT.
Converting a
take-out double into penalties
Sheep? – Missing
(what should be) an excellent slam.
123 That 4333 type shape yet again
Don’t let the
opponents bully you into 2NT when you have the values for just 1NT.
Transfer to a minor?
Pre-empt in the pass-out seat?
When your NT sequence is interfered with – don’t play in 3NT with no stop.
124 Lead partner’s presumed suit (if declarer
has yours)
A 2nd double is also take-out
With 9 cards in a suit missing the queen, it’s usually best to play for the drop
Which ace? – cue
bidding is the way.
Nice One Dave! –
don’t get yourself end-played.
4441 type shape is
a problem – Roman 2♦ is a possibility.
What to do with a
monster when the opponents open?
Everyone
sacrificing in a slam!
A 2♣ opener? – In Standard American a 2♣ opening should be within 1 trick of game.
125 Unless you have a good reason to do otherwise, return partner’s suit.
Good technique –
it is often best to duck a round early if you have a certain loser.
The negative
double – promise 4 cards in the unbid major.
Beware of mis-fits
– downgrade your hand if partner bids suits that you are short in.
Beware of mis-fits
– play mis-fits in a suit, not NT, unless you have loads of points.
Highly
Invitational – 3 of a major having bid the suit earlier is invitational.
The Law (of Total
Tricks) - in a very simplified form.
Open 1♣? – A 1♣ opening is not forcing (but rarely
passed).
Coffee Housing? –
only think if you have something to think about.
126
So that explains it – they got
too high because of a 2NT opener with just 19 pts.
Have a good look
before you complain – it wasn’t coffee housing.
Going bananas – raise partner’s
pre-empt just once and at the first go.
Pass opponent's
1NT with a flat hand
127 If you know that one
opponent has a particular card, then don’t play his partner for it!
Pass opponent’s
1NT with a flat hand – another example
When they interfere with Blackwood – DOPI (Double 0 Pass 1)
Unsportsmanlike
behaviour – at our club ask an opponent if you know he’s revoked.
128 Reaction to the unsportsmanlike behaviour article
Don’t pre-empt twice – having pre-empted do not bid again unless partner asks.
A signal is sometimes very
important.
Don’t be bullied into 2NT
Count your cards – some ‘experienced’ players are incapable of obeying this rule.
Natural or transfer? If partner doubles after
you open 1NT it’s penalty.
5-5 in the majors opposite partner’s 1NT – repeated yet again.
Two amusing contracts (3-2 fits!) –
don’t bid Stayman if you can’t cope with 2♦.
3NT of course, but how do you bid
it? – a decent minor suit
Don’t remove 3NT to 5♣/♦!!
5-3 fit or 3NT ? sometimes correct to play in NT (get the
correct hand as declarer).
Not enough for slam - 15 points
opposite partner’s 1NT is not enough to bid slam.
Quantitative, Normal Blackwood,
RKCB, Gerber, Splinter or what?
With a 5-4 fit you don’t need the
usual 25 points to make game in a major.
Nice one Monte! – put the pressure
on opponents.
129 Who's running the club? – seems someone
else wants to take over?
What should be in the news-sheets? –
seems some people disagree with me.
130
Don’t pass partner’s 1♣ opening with a singleton
Bid the higher
ranking of two 5 card suits in most situations.
Why no slam? – deduct
a point for the totally flat 4333 type shape.
Standard Responses to Gerber and
Blackwood.
Discarding – Suit preference. Lavinthal (aka McKenney)
What’s going on? –
When
Obey the Law – and if the opponents are too high, you can
double them!
131 Nice ‘n Easy – don’t overbid when partner
responds in your 4 card major.
Raise partner if
The Michaels
cuebid and the UNT.
A Penalty double! – don’t double if
you don’t know what it means
A 10 is sometimes worth a lot !
132 The ‘committee’ does not work and is
disbanded.
Raise partner's pre-empt to the limit - at once.
A 1NT response to a 1♥/♠ opening followed by a new suit at the two level is weak
Transfers really make life easy … also
over 2NT.
When they overcall our 1NT opening… play
Lebensohl.
Don’t miss that 4-4 fit - Stayman followed by 3NT promises a 4 card major.
The jump rebid to 2NT shows 18-19 points and does not deny a 4 card major.
No rebid? – When you have a monster,
don’t make a weak (passable) bid.
133 If you don’t want to lead your suit, then lead partner’s.
A 1NT response to a 1♥/♠ opening followed by a new suit is weak
The 2NT response = 11-12 (at least that’s what most play)
Raise 1NT to 3NT with ‘just’ 7 points?
5-3 fit or NT? –
with 3 card support and a doubleton, support partner’s major.
Penalty pass when
playing negative doubles
A Jump rebid shows a good long suit.
134 Raising partner’s 1NT response to 2NT (a good 16-17).
A Reverse shows a strong hand
Raise partner’s 2♥/♠ to 4♥/♠ with a singleton?
The negative double
135 Our bridge club is licensed, affiliated to the CBLT and is legal
The bid of the opponent’s suit generally asks for a stop (sometimes a ˝ stop).
What’s your discard? - plan out your play and preserve entries.
Enough is Enough.
Abusive/rude players will find they have no partner!
Return partner's
suit – not always, but usually best.
Raise Partner’s Pre-empt – first go
and to the limit.
Don't use Blackwood to gauge
strength
How many times should one bid one’s
hand?
Intermediates count – combinations like 109 or 987 in long suits are good.
Intermediates count - Jacks are poor cards but decent when backed up by 10’s and 9’s.
If you play Stayman and transfers over 2NT then it’s the same after 2♣ - 2♦ - 2NT
Overcall or double with a 4 card major and a 5 card major?
The rule of 7 – how many times to
hold up.
137 Don't double (take-out) with a flat hand
Responding to a
take-out double
Bid a new suit or rebid a 6-carder?
How many ♠’s? – bidding after a 2NT(18-19) jump rebid
A word about Qx.
A 2-level overcall
is close to an opening hand.
138 The Price of Bridge is going up - membership fees etc.
You don’t need to
rebid if
Upgrade a hand
with AKQxxx
Game try or just competing?
You need 11 points
to respond at the two level (playing a strong NT)
Stayman after
intervention.
Opening in 4th
seat – the rule of 15.
Bidding in the
pass-out seat (balancing) and 4th seat openers.
3NT or the Moysian
fit?
Raising
responder’s major with just 3 card support
139 You overcalled, so I assumed you had an
opening hand – correct?
Multi 2♦ - one pretty good variation.
Namyats (4♣ or 4♦ to show sound 4♥/♠ openers)
That Moysian fit again.
A possible Moysian
fit again?
Simple preference.
Simply giving preference shows a minimal hand and does not promise a fit.
A Pre-emptive jump raise? – jump to 4♥/♠ over partner’s 1♥/♠ opener.
140 4th suit by opener natural or 4th suit forcing?
A take-out double is playable in the
other 3 suits.
Don’t bid again having pre-empted.
That Moysian fit yet again.
Redouble is for blood.
If 3NT is an option – then bid it!
141 That 4333 type shape again
Open a 4 card major?
Vulnerability and ‘The Law’.
6-5 is excellent shape and has great trick making potential.
No natural 4♣ opener (because of Namyats)
142 The direct raise 4♥/♠ is pre-emptive.
If 4♥ is a poor contract, what about 6♥?
Game tries in
competition – a bid of your agreed suit is simply competing.
Still look for the fit after a 2NT jump (CBS or NMF).
How was slam bid? – a splinter agrees partner’s last suit (usually a major).
Only one down? – because it was
mis-boarded!
143 That infamous Unusual 2NT (UNT) again.
Another easy 3NT missed – with
stops, overcall in NT rather that a minor.
How to get a penalty when playing
negative doubles – go for the vulnerable penalty.
144 That infamous Unusual 2NT (or Michaels) yet again – they are pre-empts, not 13 pts.
Look for the 4-4 major fit after partner’s 2NT jump
3NT is usually better than 5♣/♦
4th suit forcing –
asks partner to define his hand further, with showing a stop 1st.
Pass and/or double
need to be alerted?? - sometimes, if they are conventional.
Balancing 1 – ‘borrow a king from partner’.
Balancing 2 – so
deduct 3 points from you hand when partner balances.
145 Is 4NT Blackwood? – not over partner’s 2NT
bid.
A lucky hand for the system – a 6-card 3♠ pre-empt because they play strong twos.
Don't double with
2-suiters – double and bid again shows a good hand.
How to bid slam? – Open a 10 playing trick hand with 2♣, not 2NT.
When partner's 2♣ opening is overcalled.
Incorrectly
criticise me?... then expect to get it back
When you open (or overcall) 1NT you have said it all.
The Final Straw –
don’t call me stupid.
146 Namyats (4♣ or 4♦) means you say your hand.
Off to slam again – 4NT in quantitative over partner’s 2NT rebid.
The 2NT rebid if
There’s no such
animal as a pre-empt in 4th seat
What does the 2♠ bid mean? : -1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ - 2♠
The 4-4 fit is best – locating the 4-4 ♥/♠/ fit is what all bidding systems are all about.
Playing neg doubles if opener bids rather than the ‘automatic’ double it’s shapely.
Crowhurst, NMF or CBS?
An Adjusted Score?
– if partner doubles Stayman – then lead §’s!!
A Jump after a two
level response is forcing – play 2/1 and you don’t have to jump!
Don’t deny a
4-card major
147 Play 4th suit forcing as a game
force – it’s easiest.
1NT or a negative double?
Garbage Stayman. –
weak 4441 type hands with short ♣’s or 54xx or
45xx hands.
Bid first time or
later? – support partner’s pre-empt 1st time or not at all.
Double with a flat hand? – when you can double 3♥/♠ with just 3 in the other major.
A jump response to a take-out double is around 8-10 points.
148 Who
bid too high? – deduct a point for the 4333 type shape
Lucrative Low level doubles – take the money.
Lucrative Low level doubles – remember the ‘magic 200 (and 500)’ at pairs scoring.
If your hand is too strong to simply overcall, then double first.
Don’t be bullied into 2NT if you can double the opponents
A defence against Michaels/UNT.
What to do with a
long minor and a 4 card major opposite a 1NT opener.
Sometimes you can still compete
without over-bidding (play negative doubles).
149 Don't abuse the reverse.
Be wary if LHO bids NT.
Points in the suit
– deduct a point for any 4333 type shape.
Knock off a point?
– same again.
Bidding After
Partner’s 1NT rebid. (NMF/CBS)
Which is best – Checkback
Stayman or New Minor Forcing?
150 Take-out or penalty double?
No need to jump in a game-forcing sequence.
Open 1NT and
you’ve said it all!
A help-suit game try.
The power of aces
– Aces are good cards.
False
preference - false preference to a major suit usually only shows 2 card
support.
A ♠ void – your hand improves every time the oppents bid your void.
Roman 2♦ - what range?
Always Transfer -
always transfer with a 5 card major, regardless of strength.
Rules - Don’t open
1NT way out of range, count your cards.
151 Don’t pre-empt then bid again! – pre-empt to the limit first go.
Don’t double with flat hands – unless very strong.
Don’t double with the wrong shape – double and then bid NT is a strong (19+) hand.
Bidding the opponent’s suit – it can mean different things in different situations.
A 50% chance is 100% better than a 0% chance – keep your guard
The Negative Double
– shows 4 cards in the unbid major and an unlimited point count.
152 The Police Raid – no
problem, we’re totally legal and do not gamble.
3NT from the right
side! If you have the (double) stop in the opponent’s suit, bid NT.
Don’t double with
just one suit! – unless it’s very strong.
The 2♣ opener; seems to be getting weaker and weaker?
Time to move on to Benji?
Contacting Others –
contact details for members are on the web.
153 The police raid – I’ve been assured that there will be no future problem.
Contacting Others –
ask me if you want your contact details known.
Don’t Bid Blackwood with a weak doubleton.
Baby Blackwood – a rather uncommon convention but perhaps useful.
A cold slam played
in a partscore (4 times)! – 1♦ - 1NT - 3♣ is game forcing.
A dubious double? If the opps have taken you out of a good spot, then double them.
The UNT – the UNT promises 5-5 in the two lowest unbid suits.
The UNT – a UNT over a 1♣ opening promises ♦’s and ♥’s, even if 1♣ may be short.
A balanced 26+ hand? 3NT sucks – only Benji works.
154 Bidding in the pass-out seat – a typical scheme.
Giving Count.
No such thing as a pre-empt over a pre-empt – a jump over a pre-empt is strong.
Invite with a good
11 or 12 – Intermediates count
Penalising the
opponents when you can’t penalty double.
3rd hand high –
unless there’s a finessable honour in dummy
How do you reach
6NT – AKQxx is more than 9 points!
Combining chances –
try to set up a suit before resorting to a finesse.
Who should bid
Blackwood? – the captain!
Raise partner’s
pre-empt with 3 card support
(Usually) don’t
rebid a 5-card suit
Force partner to do
the right thing – make him ruff by not leading the master.
Overtake partner if you need the lead – make life easy for partner
if you can.
155
About our clubs – I run Mon/Fri
and Dave runs Wed.
A comedy of errors?
- bidding after a 1NT opening has been overcalled.
Who’s the
dick-head? – nobody will lead A fro AQX when
A word (or two)
about upside-down Attitude
The Trump promotion
– and Look at partner’s signals.
Don’t Pre-empt then
bid again!
A 2♣ opener? – with 4441 type shape your rebid will be tricky!
Responses to the 2♣ opening (2♦ waiting,
2♥ negative).
Partner may be
bust! – raising partner’s minimal response having doubled
The 2nd
double is also take-out.
3rd hand
plays high – three(!) examples from one week where they got it wrong.
Benjamin is the way
(strong 2♥/♠ openers).
Walking the dog.
The jump to four is
weak – You need a monster for 4NT here: 1♥ - 4♥ - 4NT.
156 Benji is the way (again).
A 2♣ opener? – I don’t consider any 13 point hand worth 2♣ in Standard American.
There’s no negative double over a 1NT overcall.
A re-opening double is ‘automatic’ when playing negative doubles.
When not to re-open with the double.
Don’t leap off when it’s game forcing anyway.
Bidding after partner balances.
KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid.
‘Dig up’ a minor.
A ‘limit raise or better’ over partner’s 1♥/♠ overcall – three examples from this week.
157 So what do those bids mean? – splinter and cue bid? – Dunno.
1NT or support with 3 cards? partner opens 1♥ , you have ♠ 54 ♥ A85 ♦AK5 ♣QJ753
5-5 Come Alive – ♠AJ1076 ♥K8643 ♦ - ♣J73 is worth a move opposite a 1♦ opener.
Strong vs Weak NT – you get the
15/16 point rebid problem less playing a strong NT.
Don’t put Qx’s on
table! – try to be declarer.
The 2♣/♦ and the 2♥/♠ overcall of 1NT using Cappelletti/Multi
Landy.
Don’t bid 4♣/♦ if 3NT is a viable contract!
Pick a major – 5-5 in the majors opposite 1NT.
Mobile phones – turn them off please!
Our Friendly Club – everybody was asleep?
A negative double after partner pre-empts? – I don’t think so.
A weak two opener? – ♠J109874 ♥86 ♦AQ7 ♣K2
Responding to partner’s negative double – 1♠ 2♦ dbl pass 2NT
is a good hand. Contacting Others – there’s a secure page on the web.
158 With a balanced 15-17, open 1NT! – ♠J862 ♥A85 ♦K4 ♣AK32 is a 1NT opener.
When the opponent’s bid and support a suit then dbl is usually for take-out.
Got no stop? – sometimes you simply have to gamble.
Redouble is for blood! – look for the penalty when partner
redoubles.
Responding with (sub)minimal values – 1♠ - 1NT - 3♦ is still game forcing.
Don’t make a weak bid with game-forcing values.
‘Denying’ a 4 card major – 1♠ - 2♣ - 3NT - 4♠. – what is 4♠, is it forcing?
Open 1NT and you’ve said it all – after 1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥, pass is mandatory.
Being sandwiched – bidding NT between two bidding opponents.
The
No super-accept available? You should not super-accept playing a weak NT.
A cold slam – A 26 point slam, reached only if you play splinters.
Obey the Law – raise partner’s 1♥ overcall to 3♥ with ♠873 ♥A874 ♦8653 ♣92
The Gambling 3NT – open 3NT with: ♠J ♥7 ♦ 973 ♣ AKQJ10532
With a balanced hand, open 1NT: ♠J10 ♥KJ92 ♦AKQ10 ♣J42
160 Rudeness – it’s unacceptable at this club.
Unblock – throw your winner(s) away if you know that you will be end-played.
Aces are for taking kings – do not waste an ace on thin air if it can take a king next go.
Opposite partner’s balancing double, 1NT is about 10-12. ♠AQ6 ♥K52 ♦Q875 ♣965
Blame me for your blunder – John Gavens demonstrates what a pratt he is.
Shape is more important than pts – don’t defend 4♥ holding ♠AK10952 ♥- ♦KJ8732 ♣4
Being devious – lie about your shape to get a good lead.
Pass for penalties? A two-way double.
That 4333 type shape again – pass partner’s 1NT holding ♠986 ♥J86 ♦J62 ♣KQJ4
161 The ASEAN Teams Sham – Henrik demonstrates what an arrogant selfish person he is.
The jump rebid is not forcing – 1♦ - 1♥ - 2♣ - 3♥ - pass
Which card do you play? – up with the ace or finesse dummy’s jack?
A Jump Rebid? – open 1NT or jump rebid with ♠Q5 ♥A92 ♦KJ763 ♠K10 ?
Unauthorised Information – overcall 1NT and then bid 2NT is silly
A Psyche? – answering 3♣ to partner’s Jacoby 2NT with ♠AQ ♥AJ1084 ♦7 ♣AKQ97
Know your splinters, cue bids etc.
162 The jump shift, 1♦ - 2♥ , is strong unless agreed to the contrary.
Who should make the effort? Is ♠J98432 ♥AQ9 ♦75 ♣76 worth an effort opposite 1NT?
Who should make the effort? 1NT - 2♥, is ♠ KQ105 ♥J64 ♦K92 ♣AQ10 a super-accept?
A strong two (or Benji 2♣)opener? ♠86 ♥AKQ1073 ♦A ♣K1062, I think so.
The Competitive double. LHO opens, partner overcalls,
Which slam? ♠AKQ84 ♥A732 ♦- ♣9743 opposite ♠75 ♥KQ84 ♦AJ ♣AQJ86 bid 6♥.
How do you find a minor suit slam after Stayman? – SARS.
163 Suitable for Jacoby
2NT? – part 1 – ♠KQ965 ♥J ♦KQ ♣K9853 opposite a 1♠ opener?
Suitable for Jacoby 2NT? – part 2 – ♠J10943 ♥A4 ♦AQJ96 ♣J
opposite a 1♠ opener?
Play strong jump shifts - opposite a 1♠ opener, bid 3♥ with ♠A9 ♥QJ10972 ♦K765 ♣K
Strong or weak? play
Lebensohl when partner’s 1NT is interfered with.
A 2♣ opener (or 2♦ playing Benji)? – ♠AKQ43 ♥7 ♦KJ54 ♣AKQ – I think so.
Respond 2NT (not 2♣) to 1♦ opening with ♠K6 ♥AK8 ♦1083 ♣J9643
A poor 2NT opener? – What do you open with ♠AKQ ♥J76 ♦AK95 ♣K54 ?
Ignoring the 4-4 major suit fit? – 4(!) articles where this was or was not a good idea!
4th suit forcing – A hand which prompted me to write up the 4th suit forcing convention.
The SOS redouble – 1♦ dbl pass pass redbl(SOS).
164 4-4 better than 5-4? –
certainly when the 4-4 is a major and 5-4 a minor.
When a double of NT is take-out – 1♦ pass 1NT dbl is take-out of ♦’s.
How high is double for take-out? – a dbl of 4♥ is TO, a dbl of 4♠ is penalty (4NT is TO)
Bid again after responding 1NT? – if you respond 1NT and later bid a suit, it’s weak.
Worth a Reverse? - 1♥ - 2♦ - 2♠ with ♠A653 ♥AK976 ♦6 ♣A32 ?
Play in the 5-3 fit with a (very!) weak outside suit – use CBS or NMF to find a fit.
Rebid 1NT or support ? 1♣ - 1♠ - then 1NT or 2♠ with ♠A98 ♥53 ♦KQ64 ♣A642 ?
Who should make the effort? 1NT - 2♥, is ♠ AJ83 ♥J3 ♦KQ6 ♣A983 a super-accept?
Double and bid again? – only with a big hand.
Fiddling about? – make up your mind before pulling out a bidding
card.
165 The 2005 championship
results.
The Club Library.
Raise partner’s pre-empt to the limit immediately.
A splinter agreeing a minor – 2♣ - 2♦ - 3♣ - 4♠.
A big UNT/Michaels hand – ♠AQ1073 ♥J7 ♦AQJ953 ♣K.
Play in the 6-3 major suit fit, it’s best to play 1♣ - 1♥ - 2NT - 3♥ as forcing.
Bid what you can make? How many points for 3NT here: - 1♥ - 2♦ - 3NT? 18-19?
With 5-4, don’t play in NT – with ♠AJ1076 ♥J3 ♦AJ94 ♣A8 It’s 1♠ - 1NT - 2♦.
Too strong for 2NT – with ♠A732 ♥A ♦AKQJ104 ♣K10 open 2♣ (or Benji 2♦).
A word about 2♥ negative. 2♥ negative (and 2♦ waiting) do not apply playing Benjamin
Cue bid or Blackwood – do not bid Blackwood with a void.
Roman Key Card Blackwood void responses – showing a void over partner’s RKCB bid
A new suit over partner’s pre-empt is forcing – 2♥ - 2♠, forcing. RONF.
166 Don’t draw trumps if you need ruffs.
The Dummy Reversal.
Talking Garbage – the sequence 1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥/♠ is not alertable.
What’s alertable? Some club rules and what’s alertable at this club.
A nice pre-empt – take suit ‘body’ and vulnerability into account.
An Inverted Minor – with ♠953 ♥104 ♦A98 ♣QJ1098 raise 1♣ to 3♣.
Garbage Stayman – with ♠A982 ♥Q108 ♦76432 ♣7 bid 2♣ over partner’s 1NT.
A nice negative double sequence – ♠A ♥J85432 ♦987 ♣653: 1♦ 2♠(overcall) dbl.
Passed out twice – ♠75 ♥AJ86 ♦Q105 ♣AQ97 (5NT is making).
A forcing pass –if your side open 2♣ and the opponents intervene, then pass is forcing.
Not a 2♣ opener? ♠K ♥AJ7653 ♦AK10 ♣AQ7 is not worth 2♣ followed by a ♥ bid.
167 Adjusted scores – if
you play a hand with 14 cards you will score zero
A ‘Short’ ♣ – or a psyche?
Don’t open 1♣ with ♠K1062 ♥AJ5 ♦AJ984 ♣10
‘Afraid’ of the ‘short’ ♣? In response
to 4th suit show a stopper with NT rather than ♣ length.
Can I rebid a 5
card major? – sometimes.
1♣ - 1♠ - 3♥, 3♥ is a splinter agreeing ♠’s, is it game forcing or not?
Total Garbage – don’t bid Staymam with ♠Q9 ♥AJ32 ♦10652 ♣962
2♣ - 2♦ - 3♠ , 3♠ is a solid suit. It sets trumps and asks partner to cue bid.
Partner opens 1♣ and
168 With a stop in the
opponent’s suit, bid NT!
Balancing. 1♣ pass pass to you with – ♠Q64 ♥J964 ♦AQ10 ♣1076
169 Obey the Law – raise
partner’s 2♥ opening to 4♥ with ♠J64 ♥10873 ♦A432 ♣Q4
Who should bid 4♠? 1♠ - 1NT - 3♠ - ? with ♠A5 ♥9732 ♦J54 ♣A543
Pass partner’s 1♠ with a singleton? – ♠5 ♥97532 ♦1093 ♣A762
The problems with the sequence 1♠ - 1NT - 2NT (and how to avoid them).
RONF – A raise to the three level of partner’s weak 2♥/♠ is weak.
Overcall a 1♥ opening
with 1NT holding ♠KQ54 ♥QJ5 ♦AQJ73 ♣3 – I like it.
‘Afraid’ of partner’s
‘short’ ♣? ♠K6 ♥98 ♦AQ843 ♣10984 – p, p, 1♣, 2♥,
?
Rebid a 5 card suit? ♠AKQJ8 is certainly rebidable.
170 Go for the penalty
- playing negative doubles pass and
partner will double.
Don’t bid your hand 3 times – with ♠95 ♥AJ652 ♦84 ♣AK94 overcall 1♥ then pass.
Double of 1♠ shows ♥’s. Do not double 1♠ with ♠42 ♥5 ♦AK652 ♣AKQ95
Hold up – three examples of hold up play (by declarer and defender).
When partner does not re-open with a double – 1♠ dbl pass pass 3♠ is a very big hand.
Respond up-the-line or Walsh? 1♣ - 1♦ - 2NT may be a problem if you don’t play Walsh.
Which slam – with 30 points and a 5-4 ♦ fit, think about 6♦ (not 6NT).
Which slam – 1♥ - 1♠ - 4♥ is a huge hand. It is not shut-out or fast arrival.
No need to think –
if you have a signalling system. HELD or upside down attitude.
171 Open 1NT with a 5 card
major? pt 1 – ♠AK954 ♥K43 ♦AQ6 ♣J3
Which slam? pt 1 – with just 30 pts a 5-4 ♦ fit is better than 6NT.
Which slam? pt 2 – 1♥ - 1♠ - 4♥ shows a huge hand.
With a long minor – ♣ AQJ109763 – think (or get partner to think) 3NT.
The automatic re-opening double - 1♠ 2♥ pass pass ? with ♠Q109853 ♥42 ♦J10 ♣AKQ.
A 2♣ opener? With ♠AQ10965 ♥- ♦- ♣KQ109873 what do you open?
Respond to 2NT? Partner opens 2NT and you have ♠983 ♥J1075 ♦Q9874 ♣5.
Open 1NT with a 5 card major? pt 2 – ♠J8 ♥AQJ53 ♦QJ4 ♣A83.
172 What sort of jump
shift? – ♠A7 ♥K104 ♦KJ654Q6 ♣K92 is not worth 2♦ opposite 1♣.
Bid 3NT opposite a (1♥) 1NT overcall with ♠Q98 ♥7 ♦107 ♣AQJ964.
What’s Standard? – Look it up at www.audreygrant.com.
Spot the sensible bidder – two players biding 3 card ♦ suits!
The sequence 1♣ - 1♦. Can 1♦ be 3 card? Is it alertable?
A splinter? Part 1 – 1NT - 2♥ - 2♠ - 4♦?
A splinter? Part 2 – 1♣ - 1♥ - 3♠ with ♠4 ♥AKQ2 ♦J52 ♣AKQ109.
A Competitive double – 1♥ 2♦(overcall) 2♥ dbl with ♠AQ104 ♥5 ♦6 ♣AQJ9763.
A Negative double – 1♠ 2♣(overcall) dbl with ♠873 ♥KQJ8 ♦A873 ♣97.
My treatment for negative doubles – promise the unbid major and values to compete.
What is 4♣? 1NT - 2♣ - 2♦ - 4♣ is Gerber.
173 A safety play – how to
play ♠AK873 opposite ♠J7 for four tricks.
Bidding opener’s ♣ suit. A 1♣ opening may be short, but it is unwise to assume that it is.
Stay low on
misfits – don’t go slamming with ♠A9853 ♥7 ♦AK9742 ♣7 opposite 1♥.
Redouble = the balance of power – don’t bid unnecessarily if LHO has redoubled you.
A splinter? – part 1. 1♠ - 3♥ is a splinter.
A splinter? – part 2. 1♥ - 1NT - 3♠ is a splinter?
A splinter? – part 3. With ♠KQ10982 ♥- ♦J10752 ♣73 simply bid 4♠ opposite 1♠.
Gambling 3NT? ♠A9 ♥5 ♦K52 ♣AKQ10942 is too strong in most people’s style.
Worth a reverse? With ♠K4 ♥A7 ♦QJ42 ♣AJ1043 I would open 1NT and not reverse.
4NT quantitative? 1♦ - 4NT is (RKC)Blackwood unless you have agreed something else.
174 The devil’s Advocate.
Chuck says that you don’t need Ogust if you are disciplined.
(Penalty) double
with the unexpected, with an ace and J1098 of trumps, double a slam.
Don’t double with
flat hands.
A reverse
guarantees 4-5 or better shape, even if playing 4-card majors.
A bit pathetic? ♠9 ♥A3 ♦J762 ♣K98632 is worth 3NT opposite 1NT.
Like a bull in a china shop? 1♦ - 2♣ - 2♥ - 6NT, down 1 with 7♣ making.
A 2♣ opener? ♠6 ♥AK87543 ♦AQJ76 ♣- , I prefer 1♥.
175 The Blackwood bidder
is in charge.
Blackwood (or RKCB) when a minor suit is trumps.
John Gavens has excelled himself in rudeness and is thrown out for good.
4 card majors? – with ♠J ♥AQ42 ♦AJ1042 ♣Q64 open 1♦ playing Acol.
3NT missed. ♠AJ108 ♥Q964 ♦3 ♣10986 is worth an invite (or game) opposite 1NT.
Mention the minor opposite 1NT? ♠AJ4 ♥543 ♦6 ♣KJ10872
Mention the minor opposite 1NT? ♠10 ♥AQ1063 ♦5 ♣K109862
Is 26 points
enough for game? – you need more for 5♣/♦
176 Bidding Sequences – A
negative double summary.
The direct jump to game (4♥/♠) is weak.
Another ‘Negative Double’ penalty missed.
When you do not re-open with a double playing negative doubles.
Just pushin’ ‘em up part 1 – in a competitive auction, 3 of your suit is not a game try.
Just pushin’ ‘em up part 2 – when partner balances, he is bidding your hand.
177 No psyches
please. Psyching against lees
experienced players is unsportsmanlike.
12 off the top – ♠AJ8 ♥KJ4 ♦AKJ105 ♣Q9 is worth a 2NT opener.
Don’t deny a 4 card major – with ♠A964 ♥643 ♦AKQ6 ♣Q2 respond 1♠ to 1♥.
A splinter – generally one above the (natural) forcing bid.
4th suit forcing part 1 – If you have the 4th suit, then bid NT.
4th suit forcing part 2 – If you weak jump shifts then use 4th suit to force to game.
Would you open? – ♠KQJ32 ♥43 ♦Q75 ♣K94.
178 No psyches please –
you cannot overcall 2♥ over 1♠ with ♠7 ♥K98632 ♦32 ♣Q642
Zero Tolerance – Bad language and behaviour will not be tolerated at this club.
A high reverse? –
part 1 – 1♥ 1♠ 1NT 2♦ 3♣
A high reverse? –
part 2 – 1♠
p 1NT 2♥ 3♦
A reverse guarantees 5+ in the first suit bid.
Raising the 4th suit – if it’s a major then it’s natural.
A penalty missed again – the sequence 1♥ dbl redbl pass 1NT is nonsense.
Editorial – check out the guest map on the web site.
6-2 better than 4-4? – No!
Balancing – Partner is bidding your hand, so don’t raise him.
179 Hanging partner –
partner is bidding your hand when he balances.
A 4♥
opener, but what if you play Namyats? – ♠- ♥Q10876542 ♦109 ♣AK9
Negative double – or you’re fixed! – 1♥ 2♦ ? with ♠A532 ♥9 ♦9863 ♣QJ65
A 2NT opener? – ♠AQ8 ♥AK1032 ♦A102 ♣Q3
A long pause and pass fixes partner.
A 3♠ opener? – ♠KQJ10953 ♥Q98 ♦8 ♣K5.
A 2♥ opener? – ♠Q ♥AQ8743 ♦J65 ♣Q76.
An easy slam missed by most – ♠AKJ109832 ♥3 ♦9 ♣AK6 is a moose.
Don’t splinter with a singleton ace – 1♥ - 1♠ - 4♠ is a strong bid.
Pass out or try for game. After 1♠ - 2♠ ♠KJ985 ♥K4 ♦J ♣KJ1097 is worth 3♣.
Partscore or slam? – ♠QJ9 ♥- ♦AK9542 ♣AK42 is not a 2♣ opener.
Too high – open
1NT with ♠K4 ♥Q76 ♦AKJ103 ♣Q54.
180 Open 1NT with a 5 card
major/ With a weak doubleton? With both?
A
grand slam bid missing to aces. A RKCB cock-up?
Unauthorised information – don’t fid an unusual lead when partner has paused.
More problems – it’s usually best to make a bid if you have paused for a while.
Splinter or reverse? A reverse denies 4 card support for partner’s major.
With a good
holding in
Open 2NT with a singleton ace? OK, but not with ♠AK ♥KQ964 ♦A ♣KJ976
2320 is too much. Don’t pass after 1♣ dbl redbl pass pass ?
A perfect ‘negative double’ penalty pass – pass and await partner’s re-opening double
Support with support. A new suit opposite partner’s overcall is not forcing.
181 Values for 3NT, so bid
it? Not if you have a more descriptive bid.
A
grand slam bid missing to aces. A RKCB cock-up?
A Psyche? p p p 1NT p 2♣ 2♦ with ♠73 ♥1076 ♦QJ1098 ♣1052.
Can 5NT be a sensible contract? – protect the AQ of LHO’s suit.
How do you reach 4♠? 1♣ 1♦(LHO) 1♠(partner) is forcing.
Don’t pre-empt with a 4 card major. 2♦ is bad holding ♠3 ♥10753 ♦KQ9742 ♣J3
182
What do you lead against 3NT from ♠952 ♥K109 ♦102 ♣AK1075 ?
What do you responnd to partner’s 1NT holding ♠A109 ♥73 ♦10765 ♣A973 ?
Don’t bid your hand twice – A Cappelletti 2♠ already shows 5 ♠’s and 5 of a minor.
Too high – what do you open with ♠AQ4 ♥KJ4 ♦642 ♣AKJ4 ?
Open 1NT or get in a mess – do not reverse with ♠A94 ♥AK52 ♦10985 ♣A4
Too
high – 1♠ - 1NT - 2♣ - 2♥ is a weak sequence and
opener should usually pass.
183 In a mess? ♠108 ♥10985 ♦KQ8 ♣QJ87 is easily enough to respond to 1NT.
Missing slam. Do not pass after 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♠ holding ♠985 ♥Q1094 ♦Q10742 ♣5
There’s no such thing as a pre-empt over a pre-empt, any jump is strong.
Deny a 4-card major? Holding ♠J952 ♥Q ♦AKJ103 ♣Q103 respond 2♦ to 1♥.
Unlucky? With ♠KQ97 sitting over a 2♠ opener it’s reasonable to go for the penalty.
How many points is 2NT. In a sequence like 1♦ - 2♦ - 2NT, 2NT shows about 18-19.
184 Weak or strong jump
shift? – Strong jump shifts make life easy.
Redouble is for blood – and a subsequent double is for penalties.
What does a 2♣ Stayman bid promise?
A jump in partner’s overcalled suit is best played as weak.
A cuebid of opener’s suit shows a sound 3-level raise of partner’s overcall.
Grumpy at it again. Do not criticise partner and opponents, especially if you are wrong.
Raising opener to 3 of his suit is not forcing – dig up a minor if necessary.
185 It’s not unusual – 2NT
is not unusual in the 4th seat (it’s natural and strong)
7 ♥’s and 9 pts so open 3♥? I would open 4♥ with ♠Q ♥AQJ10632 ♦7 ♣8653
A 2NT overcall over a weak two (or Multi 2♦) is 15-18.
Slow arrival? After 1♠ - 2♣ - 3♥ then 3♠ is strong and 4♠ shows a minimal 11 pts.
The ‘automatic’ re-opening double when playing negative doubles.
A negative double by opener? 1♣ p 1♦ 1♠ dbl? does dble here show 4 ♥’s?
The 2NT rebid shows a big hand - 1♦ p 1♠ 2♣ 2NT is a big hand (not 12-14).
186 Try for game or bid
it? After 1♠ - 2♠, ♠AQJ97 ♥Q ♦AQ764 ♣94 bid 4♠ or a try?
Is it forcing? 1♠ - 2NT. If you don’t play Jacoby or similar, then 2NT is 11-12. nf.
When responder
should bid 2NT – ♠AQ ♥Q1062 ♦J53 ♣Q1086 after
Does a negative double show the 2 unbid suits? I play that it just shows the unbid major
187 A 1-level penalty. A
favourable vul, go for the penalty rather than 3NT.
A poor bid that turned out lucky? With Axx over a pre-empt, think 3NT.
Play Benjamin two’s or Multi – a simple slam missed because of a big 3NT bid.
The Kokish relay - 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥ - 2♠ - 2NT = a balanced 25+
The Gambling 3NT and responses.
Don’t double with
a flat hand – with ♠542 ♥Q1053 ♦KQ5 ♣AK3 pass if
When your hand
improved – pt 1, ♠K1084 ♥K75 ♦64 ♣AJ87 when
When your hand improved – pt 2, ♠9 ♥Q10842 ♦J9842 ♣65 when partner opens 1♦.
Open 1NT and partner is the captain – do not remove his penalty double.
The play’s the thing – AK9 opposite 10842, play A and then K when all follow.
188 Editorial: Rudeness
will not be tolerated at this club, expect to be expelled.
Never deny a 4
card major. With ♠10962 ♥A106 ♦J9 ♣K1072 respond 1♠, not 1NT to 1♣
The Law of total tricks: you can sacrifice above the law, especially at favourable vul.
Walsh finds the 4-4 fit. 1♣ - 1♦ - 2NT - pass may miss a 4-4 major fit not playing Walsh.
Applying the Law. With ♠Q98652 ♥- ♦76 ♣K1054 opposite partner’s 1♠ overcall.
Worth a jump invite? ♠A6542 ♥32 ♦A4 ♣AK73, 1♠ - 2♠ - ? Make a noise or pass?
A dummy reversal. ♠642 ♥Q75 ♦QJ8 ♣K985 opposite ♠- ♥AKJ106 ♦10965 ♣AJ72
The 4♥/♠ rebid is a big hand. 1♠ - 2♠ - 4♠ shows 18+
When your 1NT opening is interfered with – play Lebensohl.
Slow arrival: 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♠ - 2NT - 3♦ - 4♦, 4♦ is interested in slam.
189 Editorial: The short ♣ (if mat be
2 cards) needs alerting.
Why bid past game? – Do not call the director just because the opponents have bid badly.
Deduct a point for 4333 shape – open 1NT with ♠KJ63 ♥K72 ♦A106 ♣AK4
Who’s the joker – it’s Chuck psyching a cue bid.
Garbage Stayman - 2♣ opposite 1NT with ♠J762 ♥KJ102 ♦873 ♣Q9 is simply gambling.
Psyching at our club – it is not allowed, including psychic cue bids or controls.
Never deny a 4 card major – with ♠8532 ♥A103 ♦A87 ♣QJ6 respond 1♠ (not 2NT) to 1♦.
It’s not forcing: 1♣ - 1♥ - 1NT - 3♥ is not forcing in Standard American (it is in Acol).
It’s not forcing: 1♥ - 1♠ - 3♥ is not forcing in either system.
Balancing – after pass, pass, pass, 1♣, pass, 1♥, pass, pass – then bid!
190 Don’t bid Blackwood
with a void – splinter or Exclusion RKCB.
2/1 makes slam bidding a cinch – 1♥ - 2♦ - 2♥ - 3♥ is looking for slam.
A jump raise promises 4 card support – 1♠ - 3♠ should show 4 ♠’s.
Namyats does not leave partner guessing – open 4♦ with ♠KQJ10973 ♥- ♦Q109 ♣AK8
Double is playable in the unbid suits – both if opponents have bid two suits.
Don’t ask unless you need to know – leave questions to the end of the auction.
An ‘impossible’
response? You hold ♠AQ2 ♥Q94 ♦92 ♣AKQ94 and partner opens 1♣.
Splinter – with ♠6 ♥Q1062 ♦K96 ♣AK1074 bid 3♠ when partner opens 1♥.
Who underbid? 1♦ - 1♥ - 1♠ is not forcing, so jump with 20 points.
Worth a raise to 3♥? Vulnerable, raise 1♥ to 2♥ with ♠964 ♥Q9854 ♦KQ3 ♣43.
Do not open 1NT with a singleton – even a singleton ace. It is not allowed.
What is 4♣ after a transfer. It’s ace ask but is a cue bid if partner super-accepts.
191 Take-out double with 5
points? – maybe when balancing!
Negative double to show the other major – or you’ll have problems later.
A 5-3 fit ♥/♠is not always better than 3NT – especially with 28-30 combined points.
Don’t pull partner’s run out – when being doubled, don’t bid a new suit at the 3 level.
You don’t miss the penalty when playing negative doubles.
192 KJxxxx is not 4 points
when partner bids the suit!
A mini splinter – 1♥ - 3♦ is a mini splinter if you play them.
A weak jump shift – 1♦ - 2♠ is a weak jump shift if you agree to play them.
Passed out – ♠AQ108 ♥Q7653 ♦J53 ♣Q is a clear opener.
The most abused convention out there – Unusual NoTrump/Michaels.
Intermediated count – K432 is 3 points, K1098 is 4+ points, especially in No Trumps.
A comedy of errors
– a new (minor) suit at the 4 level is forcing!
193 An ‘impossible’ bid –
after 1♣ dbl redbl 1♦ then a 1NT bid by you
is nonsense. Pass!
The three level is too high - 1♣ dbl 3♣ then don’t dbl (Responsive) with a flat 9 points.
Don’t open a vulnerable 4♥ in 1st seat with ♥J1086543 unless you play Namyats.
It’s not forcing – 1♠ - 2♦ - 3♦ - 3♠ is not forcing, it shows 11-12 points and 3 ♠’s.
Slam missing two
aces – don’t mix up
Go for the
penalty? – partner opens 1♥,
Muiderberg – A weak 2♥/♠ opening showing 5 of the major bid and a 4+ card minor.
With ♠A10 ♥J8532 ♦K87 ♣752 transfer and pass opposite partner’s 1NT opening.
Don’t pass partner’s take-out double of a pre-empt just because you have no points.
194 A two-level bid after
Rudeness and bad behaviour at our club will not be tolerated – 4 players are now warned.
Don’t make gestures or talk during the auction/play.
When
How to find a specific king using Roman Keycard Blackwood.
A Lay-down 7NT? – a set play problem.
Defence to weak twos – parts 1,2,3
Go for the vulnerable penalty – 2♣ 2♠ dbl is penalties, so pass with a flat 2♣ opener.
195 Not suitable for 1NT –
♠A10754 ♥A2 ♦AK102 ♣K10 is far too good for 1NT.
Suitable for 1NT? – ♠K5 ♥KJ1052 ♦KJ52 ♣K10 – I opened a strong 1NT.
Restricted choice – a complex subject but there are a couple of simple ‘rules’
8 ever, 9 never – but not when restricted Choice applies.
An interesting mis-fit – a bid in the ‘sandwich seat’ is a very good long suit.
What’s a jump to 2NT after partner has passed? – 1♣ pass pass 1♣ 2NT?
Super accept! When you open 2NT and partner transfers into your 4 card major.
No Trump promises
a stop after 4th suit forcing
An overbid – with ♠95 ♥A832
♦Q2 ♣KJ1085 bid 3♥ opposite a 1♥ opening.
An underbid – with ♠J8 ♥Q53 ♦KQJ53 ♣K93, 2NT is not enough after 1♣ - 1♦ - 1♥.
196 The Unassuming Cue bid
– 4 examples in one week!
Hanging partner – Don’t jump to 3NT with a flat 13 when partner balances with dbl.
The jump to 3NT when partner reverses – shows about 8-11 points.
Double followed by a raise shows a good hand.
Forced to pass after partner’s hesitation? No! You simply need a clear bid.
197 Behaviour at our club
– Chuck is finally chucked out for good.
Negative Doubles part 1 – 1♦ - 2♣(overcall) 2♥ promises 10+ points.
Negative Doubles part 2 – 1♦ - 2♣(overcall) pass pass 2♦ is long ♦’s and weak.
Some people play that a 2♣ opening is either the traditional strong hand or a weak 2♦.
Lead partner’s suit against No trump – especially if he has bid it twice and doubled!
Raising a 1NT response to 2NT shows about 17 points.
Raising a 1NT rebid (12-14) to 2NT shows about 11-12 points even in competition.
That abused Michaels again - ♠Q1086 ♥AK643 ♦63 ♣AJ don’t bid 2♣ over 1♣.
198 Double and bid again
shows a big hand.
Partner’s redouble shows power and is usually looking for a penalty.
Do
not double (take-out) with unsuitable hands.
199 Change of suit over
partner’s overcall is non-forcing.
Overcall with a 2-suiter? – only double with a strong hand.
Don’t double to show an opening hand, and a double of 2♠ usually shows 4 ♥’s.
Don’t be bullied
into bidding 2NT but prefer to defend.
200 “The definitive guide
to (strong) No Trump Bidding, Stayman and Transfers” is published
Sacrifice in No Trumps? – it’s possible if you have a long suit.
Hand Evaluation part 1 – Beware of quacks and a poor trump suit.
Hand Evaluation part 2 – ♠K5 ♥7432 ♦A52 ♣J854 is not worth a noise opposite 1NT.
The play’s the thing – 3 examples of basic play technique.
You hold ♠AQ94 ♥AQ83 ♦J832 ♣10 opposite a 1NT opener – splinter!
The sequence 1NT - 2♥ - dbl is penalties and it’s best to play Lebensohl.
Summary after partner’s 1NT opening is overcalled.
Pass partner’s weak jump shift unless you have good support for his suit.
After 1♣/♦/♥/♠ - dbl – redbl all subsequent doubles by opener or responder are penalties.
Do not bid Blackwood with a void – Use Josaphine GSF if only top trumps are missing.
A double of Stayman means ♣’s.
201 Don’t double with length in the suit opened.
What do you bid with ♠62 ♥9 ♦1072 ♣KJ98742 opposite a 1NT opener?
Over a 2♠ opener,
consider 3NT rather than double if you have a ♠ stop.
What do you bid with ♠10♥76 ♦AJ1075 ♣K10532 opposite a 1NT opener?
202 The Unassuming Cue Bid keeps you low opposite a weakfish overcall.
A two-level overcall promises opening values.
Pre-empt to the
limit at once – three separate articles from one week!
What is a 2♥/♠ opening in 4th seat?
A note on 1430 – it is only applicable to the response to 4NT and not to the king ask.
Don’t bid your hand twice – a double of 1NT already shows 15-18 points.
A bid when
Open 1NT with a balanced 15-17 – ♠AJ8 ♥Q876 ♦AQ86 ♣QJ.
Balancing. If
partner passes an opening bid from LHO he may have 14 or so points.
203 It’s simply bad manners – continually arrive late and you won’t get a game.
That 4333 type shape again – part 1. ♠K74 ♥A85 ♦AJ76 ♣QJ3 is not worth a strong 1NT.
That 4333 type shape again – part 2. ♠KJ64 ♥QJ10 ♦A85 ♣742 is not worth a 4th seat opener.
Worth a limit raise or game? ♠AJ10 ♥1075 ♦AK852 ♣106 opposite a 1♥ opening.
Don’t bid again having pre-empted ♠J10 ♥KQ9543 ♦10876 ♣K is a 2♥ opener, that’s all.
What to do opposite a weak 2♠? Is ♠106 ♥AQJ7 ♦AQ97 ♣Q42 worth an effort?
What to do opposite a weak 3♥? Is ♠A104 ♥2 ♦KQJ32 ♣KJ63 worth 3NT or 4♥?
Bid both suits when 5-4. ♠AK987 ♥J ♦8762 ♣A85 – open 1♠ and rebid 2♦ over 1NT.
Don’t bid you hand
3 times. ♠A8 ♥AKJ1097 ♦KQ3 ♣A8 2♣ - 2♦ - 2♥ - 2♠ - 3♥ - 3♠ bid 4♠.
204 It’s rarely correct to transfer to a minor – with ♠AJ7 ♥K92 ♦3 ♣Q107652 raise 1NT to 3NT
Raising partner directly to game is weak. 1♦ dbl 5♦ is a pre-emptive raise.
Play in a Moysian fit? After 1♣ - 1♦ - 1♥ bid 2♥ with ♠86 ♥A98 ♦Q532 ♣A1054
3♦
on a 3-1 fit. If you really want to play
A jump raise is pre-emptive after a double.
A take-out double is short in the suits bid – with length/strength in their suits bid NoTrump
Don’t double at the 3♠ level without shape - ♠K7 ♥A86 ♦A8542 ♣AJ6 is not good enough.
Look for the 4-4 fit. With ♠J9 ♥K852 ♦J982 ♣642 opposite 2NT bid 3♣ Stayman.
205 I have finally decided to get a mobile
phone - 0867445386.
Raising partner’s 1NT response to 2NT - ♠AQJ64 ♥106 ♦AJ3 ♣QJ5 is not enough.
Confused by “The Law”. Raising 1♠ to 3♠ is 11-12 points, not pre-emptive.
You need shape to overcall a string NT. Not ♠QJ932 ♥AJ9 ♦J2 ♣Q73 when vulnerable.
It’s often good to pre-empt 3♣/♦ with a good 6-card suit - ♠QJ4 ♥J ♦1092 ♣AQJ874.
The Championship Races. Provisional positions have been calculated.
You need 12+ points (or shape) to raise partner’s 1♥/♠ to game.
A
strong Michaels Cue Bid – with ♠AQJ876 ♥KQJ865
♦- ♣A3 bid 2♣ over
A
double fit is good – try Stayman Super Accepts.
206 Obey the Law. With ♠Q1082 ♥842
♦A1062 ♣A75 compete to 3♠ opposite a 1♠ overcall.
Upgrade hands with good suits. ♠A3 ♥K6 ♦J874 ♣AKQ109 is too good for 1NT.
Support partner. With ♠3 ♥K94 ♦AQ1095 ♣KJ43 raise partner’s ♥ response.
Don’t double ♠’s holding
5+ ♥’s – with ♠- ♥AKQJ1075 ♦KQ83 ♣A3 overcall 4♥
over 3♠.
Be wary when the opponents play negative doubles – you may get clobbered one higher.
The take-out double – do not double 1♦ holding ♠9543 ♥Q42 ♦AKQ97 ♣K.
A new suit opposite partner’s pre-empt is forcing.
An unnecessary jump is a splinter. 1♥ - 2♣ - 3♠ is a splinter agreeing ♣’s.
Don’t lead what declarer leads, even if it was partner’s initial lead.
Open a hand with a 6-card major. ♠QJ10642 ♥- ♦KQ107 ♣982 is a 2♠ opener.
A raise by opener only guarantees 3 cards. 1♣ - 1♥ - 2♥ may be 3 card support.
Don’t automatically “cover an honour with an honour”.
207 How to play in a 4-1 fit missing KQJxxx.
Keep quiet with an 18 count? 1♦ pass 2♦ 2♠ dbl shows a good hand with 4 good ♠’s.
Finding a 4-4 ♠ fit after partner’s 1NT opening as been overcalled wit 2♥. – Lebensohl.
208 Don’t double when you can overcall. Over 1♥
bid 2♦ with ♠KQ♥108♦AKJ1042♣QJ5
Don’t double when you can overcall. Over 1♥ bid 2♣ with ♠J73♥Q107♦1032♣AKQ65
A simple play problem.
Open 1NT with a balanced 15-17, ♠AJ72 ♥932 ♦KQ6 ♣AQ6
Giving count (2 examples), especially with a long suit in dummy.
Redouble! Pard
opens 1♣,
4NT having bid 4♣ Gerber is to play.
Don’t pass when 5-6 in the majors. 1♦ p 2NT bid 3♦ with ♠K10643 ♥986542 ♦4 ♣7
Minor suit slams (1). You hold ♠AJ109♥K84♦KQJ2♣Q2 and partner opens 1NT.
Minor suit slams (2). 2/1 really makes life easy.
Too strong for a pre-empt. Open 1♣ with ♠A ♥K6 ♦A76 ♣J1087543.
209 If RHO opens and LHO bids 1NT over your 1♠ overcall,
don’t come in later with 3♠.
Strange results: eight articles on silly contracts at just one table.
Negative doubles and the ‘automatic’ re-opening double – 3 articles.
210 You can underlead an ace against 3NT.
Transfer and then bid another suit – ♠QJ1062 ♥A7 ♦Q854 ♣98 opposite 1NT.
Systems on / systems off. When a 1NT opening or overcall is interfered with.
Alert conventional bids. Multi Landy, Cappelletti etc. need alerting.
211 Bid that 7 card major – ♠AQJ10865 ♥53
♦J7 ♣84 is far too good to pass as dealer.
A great 18 opposite a 1NT response is worth game – ♠A86543 ♥A10 ♦K86 ♣AK
Don’t bid again having pre-empted – ♠J75 ♥KQ9864 ♦AJ4 ♣2 is too strong for 2♥.
When your hand improves – don’t open 2♠ with ♠QJ7654 ♥63 ♦- ♣QJ1074.
Another slam, 3 more slam deals.
Play Multi Landy. 2♦ Cappelletti with 5-4 in the majors sucks when pard is 2-2 or 3-3.
4♣ after a transfer (1NT - 2♦ - 2♥ - 4♣) asks for keycards.
Agree DOPI after Blackwood is interfered with.
212 A good hand for 2/1 – playing constructive
raises keeps you low with a poor dummy.
Big balanced hands – A comparison between Benjamin and Multi 2♦ with 25+.
A basic end-play.
Missing the 4-4 major suit fit. Four (!) examples from one day’s play.
Giving a lesson during the play – and then going down in a cold contract!
Double having overcalled with 1NT is penalties.
Responding to take-out doubles – a non-jump is 0-8
With ♠A108 ♥AKQJ10653 ♦83 ♣- open 4♥ (or 4♣ playing Namyats)
With ♠AK7 ♥J1098
♦J1063 ♣AQ overcall 1NT rather than double over
With ♠AKJ ♥Q8 ♦KJ6 ♣AKJ86 open 2♣ rather than 2NT. That ♣ suit is great.
A new suit opposite a pre-empt is forcing. RONF (raise only non-forcing).
213 A double of 1NT is for penalties
Balancing with 1NT. – a scheme for No Trump bids in the balancing seat.
Be wary of raising a minor past 3NT. 1♦ - 1♥ - 3♣, 3♣ may be ‘dug up’.
5-6 in the majors is a great hand. Don’t defend 3NT with ♠KQJ106 ♥QJ7542 ♦- ♣74
3NT or bid the ♠’s? When there’s no room bid 3NT with a stop in opponent’s suit.
214 That dreaded 4333 type shape yet again.
An awkward
overcall?
Protect that Kx – bid the opponent’s suit to ask for a stop.
The problem with Jacoby 2NT – Jacoby 2NT as 12+ and unlimited is unsatisfactory.
A 3-level weak jump overcall has to be a good suit if vulnerable.
Bid 3NT or look for a 4-4 major fit?
The help-suit game try can also be a slam try.
Be wary of a
vulnerable pre-empt over a strong NoTrump.
215 Moving yet again? We will be moving as
soon as we find a suitable venue.
The Unassuming Cue bid – two examples
1NT in the
The Gambling 3NT scores a top - ♠8 ♥Q108 ♦AKQ10832 ♣J9
3NT missed – 1 - ♠9 ♥A43
♦AKQ864 ♣AJ10 is too good for 2NT after 1♦ - 1♠
Respond 3♦ with a 3 card suit? If you don’t play Jacoby 2NT you may have to.
3NT missed – 2 – convert partner’s double of 3♦ or bid 3NT?
A comfortable slam – ♠AKQ104 ♥A2 ♦KJ754 ♣K is too good for 3NT after 1♠ - 2♦
216 The Unassuming Cue yet again
Bid 3NT or double with a 4-card major over their pre-empt?
The hold-up. Sometimes you have to disregard the rule of 7 and hold up twice.
If you show both majors over opponent’s strong NT and bid again it’s a huge hand.
Balancing – a double in the pass out seat may be as few as 8 points.
A good or bad 4♠ opening? - ♠102 ♥K652 ♦AQ83 ♣A52 is not enough for slam.
How do you play your negative doubles? – does 1♥ 2♦ dbl show both majors or just ♠’s?
217 It’s rarely correct to raise partner’s minor past 3NT
3NT or 4♥/♠ with a 5-3 fit – two articles
Overcall 1NT over 1♠ with two Kx’s – ♠K2 ♥KJ ♦A10843 ♣AK96 or bid 2♦?
Too good for 4♠. ♠AJ1098543 ♥K3 ♦A ♣73 is too good unless you play 4♦ Namyats.
When your Stay