I have a question on the bidding in the column hand.

If South had opened 1S, what should be North’s response?

Hi Jim2,

If playing 4 card majors, and obviously you are (at least on this hand) I would only make a limit raise of 3 spades, allowing partner some slack for opening light.

The next more aggressive step is to respond 2 diamonds (where we live) and then over 2 spades merely raise to 3, and over 2 hearts to only bid 2 spades since, although holding 4 trumps, do not have a source of tricks (as in holding 5 diamonds). With balanced hands be a bit conservative, but with good distributional values tend to bid more, especially with good trump support because of the possibility of the opponents also being able to make something and we do not want to invite them into the auction if possible.

That’s why I asked the question. Specifically, I would have made a limit raise with the North hand even playing 5-card majors.

Do you agree with the North raise to 4S in the column hand?

Hi Jim2,

Yes, I do. Simply because that I have a great fit opposite partner’s supposed length and from a percentage standpoint partner slightly figures to be shortest in the suit I originally responded in, hearts.

One other barely perceptible reason is that my alternative bid, only 3 spades, might suggest to partner, in making his key decision to discount his shortness in my bid suit, which is exactly the opposite of what I want him to do.

Much of the above signifies very little, but are only small guidelines in trying to break ties.

It does lead to an important caveat which is hardly ever mentioned. In a five card major system often very weak minors are opened which sometimes convinces partners to make erroneous decisions causing me to lean toward natural systems, including 4 card majors (but with certain strictures, both as to when and how) which, in effect, can be a powerful guide in exercising better judgment.