The Aces on Bridge: Sunday, May 19th, 2013
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I had to decide at pairs how to respond to a strong no-trump with ♠ 8-7-3, ♥ K-Q-J-7-4, ♦ Q-10-3, ♣ 8-4. I elected to transfer to hearts and pass the response. My partner took nine tricks, but since he had 17 HCP with the doubleton heart ace, half the field made the no-trump game. Should I have bid two no-trump over his two-heart call? I didn’t think I was quite strong enough. Stop, or Go? Montreal This is truly tough, and I think you took the right pairs action. You would only have reached game facing a maximum hand with heart fit when partner breaks the transfer. When he doesn’t have a fit, game can only be 25 percent at best – so by trying for game you risk turning a plus into a minus maybe half of the time. At pairs your call was right and you were unlucky, I think.
My partner and I have been discussing how often a double of a no-trump contract has Lightner implications. Is that the exception or the rule? Lightner in a Bottle, Portland, Ore. When the opponents have had an unopposed sequence to a no-trump contract, a double by the hand not on lead normally suggests a sound holding in dummy's suit. It does not necessarily demand that that suit be led, but that is the normal implication. It is far less clear when the defenders have bid one suit or more.
Would you agree with my decision to open ♠ 9, ♥ 9-6-4-2, ♦ K-J-9-8-4-3, ♣ K-4 with a weak two diamonds? Does vulnerability matter here? Be that as it may, I did open and partner responded two spades. What would you advise now? Shaky Ground, Greenville, S.C. Best is to bid two no-trump now. Unless you have a specific agreement to the contrary, new suits are forcing in response to a weak-two bid, so you must bid again. Since repeating diamonds with your feeble suit appears unattractive, and introducing hearts seems excessively forward, you should mark time with a call of two no-trump and hope your partner can now bid a red suit. |
Can you help me out? My hand was ♠ J-9-8-2, ♥ K-Q-8-3, ♦ J, ♣ K-10-7-3; I responded one heart to one diamond and heard a rebid of one no-trump. How do I explore for a possible fit without the auction spiraling out of control? Going Places, Harrisburg, Pa. You should pass one no-trump and let well enough alone. You know your side does not have a spade or heart fit, and since partner has bid your shortage, stay low and hope that you can make one no-trump. Why does playing in a suit seem more attractive than no-trump?
Holding ♠ A-K-7-3, ♥ K-9-8-4, ♦ K-J, ♣ Q-J-5, I opened one no-trump. My partner responded three spades, which we conventionally play as both minors and short spades, game-forcing but not necessarily slam interest. I bid three no-trump, and there we rested with partner's 0-3-5-5 13-count leaving us cold for six clubs. Who should have done more? Should the three-spade bid be limited in strength? Crocodile Tears, Sioux Falls, S.D. There is no reason for any HCP limitation on the three-spade bidder, except that opener does not necessarily assume slam interest opposite and responder should bid on with real extras. So dummy underbid his hand by at least a trick. The right call over three no-trump is to move on (maybe with a call of four spades, which sounds like this pattern). By contrast, a bid of four hearts would emphasize the quality of the three-card heart suit, and four of a minor would pinpoint the five-card suit. |
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Re: Stop or Go,
Should I understand that a game going bid with that hand would be OK in IMP scoring?? Tough to imagine as you give it only a 25% chance but… Further, I would always press the game with these 8 hcps (any decent 8 count or a 9 count with a viable 5 cd major) previously. Given your perspective I shall be more conservative in the future.
Bruce
Also re Stop and Go:
Mr. Wolff: Sticking to “at pairs” context, and the same Heart suit, could you suggest what extra High Cards this hand should have to justify rebids of 2NT invitational, and 3NT choice of game?
Thanks.
Hi Bruce,
In bridge there are usually no gods only guidelines. The jack of hearts is very important, although sometimes perhaps opposite four, especially holding the ace, it may not be necessary.
Most elite partnerships, after a transfer, will jump to the 3 level holding 4 and at least an average strength NT opening. The reason for that is 2 fold, first the extra trump is almost sure to produce an extra trick as opposed to having fewer. An additional advantage for the extra trump is, by you having four it makes it quite likely that one of your opponents are short in that suit, possibly a singleton, making that plus their own fit, which they are sure to have, can very well out bid your side and sometimes even make a game. But even if it is only a part score, your jump will make it harder for them to get into the bidding.
No rocket science involved, only bridge logic, which in turn comes with experience and concentration.
The only additional advice I could give is that if your duplicate partnership is able to buy the hand at the two level, instead of being forced a trick higher, your plus scores, extremely important at matchpoints, will add significantly to your final total.
The above is probably nothing you didn’t already know, but sometimes having it laid out on the table, makes it easier to have confidence in what the goals should be.
Hi Clarksburg,
Very little else, and to rebid 2NT after you transfer to 2 hearts with the exact hand you have would not be incorrect. However, partner needs to calibrate his acceptances to match your invitations, otherwise the two of you will not mesh, sometimes not with a pleasant ending score wise.
To jump to game after transferring I would suggest a minimum of another queen, but again it is somewhat random, but to repeat KQJxx is MUCH more valuable, with percentage breaks, than without the jack.
Thanks Mr. Wolff,
Since the incremental steps of hand value are small, seems the calibre of the at-the-table opponents if known, could often be the deciding factor.
Hi Clarksburg,
Yes, the calibre of the opponents, if known, is important, but sometimes 2NT making 9 tricks, at matchpoints (one more than expected because of faulty defense) will be almost as good as bidding game, but more practical, because of much lesser risk, just in case the opponents defended correctly.
Any way it is sliced, playing against lesser talent will produce better scores, but oft times being greedy, will backfire.