On the bidding quiz, by all means let us Pass!

This is one of the ugliest and most dangerous rebid situations I have ever seen at the one level!

North and West have shown no extra stength so, looking at only 5 HCPs, East must have points but bid no suit nor made a negative double. Conclusion: East has diamonds behind partner and may have intended to convert a West balancing double to penalty.

Partner does not like my spades and, quite frankly, neither do I, but the opponents probably would. Hence, no spade rebid just because I hold 5 of them. At two spades, I can already feel the club ruffs on my right and the hearts back through the K7.

For all I know, North is J J10xx AQxxx KQx.

And West is K108x AQx x AJ10xx

And East A9x xxxx KJ109xx –

Better for North to go down at 1N undoubled than any other contract doubled. Also, if West doubles now, East may feel compelled to take it out.

Hi Jim2,

When writing a bridge column, an important purpose (perhaps most) is to entertain first and teach secondarily. In order to get that done, thought provoking, rather than casual joy, should lead to solid usable caveats rather than mainly frustration, especially in application.

This particular BWTA possibly violated that principle, but certainly in our back and forth comments, no holds are barred, allowing us to speak our truths, at least as we both see it.

Although, in keeping with the above rule, no vulnerability or whether we are playing matchpoints, IMPs or rubber bridge is mentioned, making our opinions less on point, but still nevertheless possibly worth giving.

There are many shapes and sizes when it comes to excellent bridge players, not to mention world class, and at least in my view one of the more important categories is what is alluded to in the above answer, the discussion of the best result possible BRP (taking in mind the practicality of what might happen if a misunderstanding occurs) and the best possible result BPR (simply getting to the right contract).

At most levels of play, which probably includes at least 99% of our readers, the BRP should be the goal and our advice, coupled with your sound agreement, should win the day in making our readers aware of the bridge minefield that particular problem may be presenting.

However, at least to me, since when South is presented with his second bidding turn, 2 clubs as a final contract palpably stands out as the best contract (and may be by several tricks) so, at a high intellectual bridge level, he MUST be allowed to seek it.

Therefore, and in conclusion, (since 1 spade is not forcing and should always just be construed as an attempted alternate final strain) 2 clubs (especially since so many popular bidding systems include “short clubs” as an opening bid), should be played by that partnership as almost certainly the final resting spot. If South had greater aspirations he should jump the bidding to whatever he thought best (3 spades, 3 diamonds, 3NT, 3 hearts, even 4 spades with perhaps QJ109xxx, x, Kx, AQx) and also have bids of 2 hearts, 2 diamonds, and 2 spades as contract improving efforts with, of course a bid of 2NT merely an invitation in NT.

Are the above comments necessary for entertainment? Definitely not and out of place in our column, but man to man between us, certainly, and very applicable to an aspiring partnership.

Ever onward, ever upward!

I, personally and speaking as an admitted non-expert, would be far more comfortable with bidding two clubs after passing at the current juncture and then West re-opening/balancing with Double and East made a penalty Pass.

The South hand is a horror once North has bid diamonds and not raised spades, especially if East has diamonds and some points. I have been playing bridge since 1959 and only tempo discipline here would keep me from making one of the fastest passes I have ever made!

Hi Jim2,

You have made a very firm point about quickly passing before the penalty doubles starts. to paraphrase it, “No double, no trouble”.

Where I diagree is that after this bidding, while holding the black 5-5 I would expect to make 2 clubs doubled, perhaps even with an overtrick, (strongly considering partner’s 1NT rebid) before I even saw the dummy. Partner figures to average about 3 1/4 clubs since with only a doubleton club and with obvious known shortage in spades he should shy away from rebidding NT unless he had extra strength for his overcall.

Another way of explaining it is that with a likely misfit (short spades) partner should not opt to play NT without at least some extra values (or a good club holding) but rather pass 1 spade or make some other bid.