Background: An opening bid of “2C” is, today, recognized as a strong, artificial, and forcing opening bid; a hand with 21 or more HCP’s, comprised of either a balanced hand prepared to rebid 2NT (Example 1), or 3NT (Example 2), else a strong one-suiter (Example 3). Note: With a strong 2-Suited hand, one should resist opening “2C”, since doing so wastes a level of bidding, making it more difficult to show both suits at a convenient lower level (Example 4).
Example
1 Example
2
Example 3
Example 4
AQ
AKX
AQJXXX
AKQXXX
AQX
AQJ
KQX
AKXXX
KJXX
KQJX
AK
A
(Open 1S, Rebid 3H)
AQJX
AQX
A
X
Principle:
An
opening weak 2-bid consists of 5-11
HCP’s and a 6-card suit (Example 5);
an opening weak 3-bid consists of 8-11
HCP’s with at least a 7-card suit
(Example 6) (See the Rule of 2-3-4).
Example
5
Example 6
AQXXXX
XX
X
(Open 2S)
AQXXXXX
KXXX
QX
XX
XX
(Open 3H)
Redefinition:
Since “2C” is restricted to a
strong, artificial and forcing opening
bid, it is not available to use a 6-card
pre-emptive bid in Clubs. Normally, one is
expected to hold a 7-card Club suit with
sub-minimum opening count in order to
pre-empt with a 3C opening bid (Figure
7).
With a weak hand evidencing a
poor 6-card Club suit, pass (Figure 8);
however, with most of the HCP’s
consolidated within a 6-card Club suit,
one may open a weak 3-Clubs (Example 9).
It
is sometimes plausible to open a
pre-emptive 3C bid with a good 6-card
suit and sub-minimum HCP values assuming
most of the HCP values fall within the
Club suit.
Example
7
Example 8
Example 9
KX
KXX
XX
X
(Open a
weak 3C)
X
(Pass)
XX (Open a weak 3C)
KXX
AXX
KXX
KXXXXXX
XXXXXX
KQJ9XX
Background :
When playing a 5-card Major
System of bidding, holding opening
values without a 5-card or better Major
suit holding, one is required to utilize
a preferred Minor opening bid; i.e.,
opening whichever Minor suit is
discernibly longer
(Figures 1 & 2).
Example
1
Example 2
AQXX
AKXX
AQXX
AQX
KXXX
X
(Open 1C)
X
(Open 1D)
JXXXX
Principle:
When
opening a preferred Minor suit in the
absence of a 5-card or better Major suit
holding, if the Minor suit holding be
equal, one should open 1D; if the Minor
suit holding be 6-6 (Figure 3), 5-5
(Figure 4), or 4-4 (Figure 5); and 1C,
if the Minor suit holding be 3-3 (Figure
6).
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
--
KX
AXX
A
(Open
1D)
X
(Open 1D)
XX (Open 1D)
AKXXXX
AKXXX
KXXX
KXXXXX
AQXXX
KQJX
Example 6
AKXX
XXX
(Open 1C)
AXX
KXX
Redefinition:
Remember, however, an opening bid
by you, assuming the opponents
ultimately take the bid, tends to be
lead-directing to partner should he/she
be on lead.
As a result, one must consider
the possible lead-directing consequences
and possibly alter ones Minor suit
opening bid accordingly.
Therefore, if
a Minor suit holding be such that it
would foster an embarrassment to the
would-be opening bidder, should that
suit be led by partner on defense,
opener may deviate from the opening
Minor suit preference standards listed
above (Figures 7 &
8).
Example
7
Example 8
AQ
AXXX
QXX
Open 1C)
JXX
XXXX
AKQ
(Open 1D)
KQ10X
XXX
Background :
When using The Stayman
Convention, and assuming a 15-17 HCP 1NT
opening bidding range by opener,
Responder should normally hold at least
8 HCP’s with a good 5-card or longer
suit (Figure 1), else 9 HCP’s or more
with any suit holding (Figure 2), in
order to employ The Staymen Convention
looking for a 4-4 Major suit Golden Fit,
while at the same time not jeopardizing
the partnership should no 4-card Major
suit fit be ultimately found. With less than these
requirements, Responder must not seek a
Major suit fit lest a response by opener
not be capable of being handled by
Responder (Figures 3 & 4).
Example
1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
QXXX
XX (Bid “2C”)
QXXX
XX
XX (Bid “2C”)
AXXX
KXXX
AXXX
KQJXX
XX
XXX
XXXXX
XX
KQXX
XX
(Pass)
JX (Pass)
Principle: The Stayman
Convention, in response to a (15-17 HCP)
1NT opening is invoked by a Responder
searching for a 4-4 Major suit “Golden
Fit”.
It requires at least an 8 HCP
holding by Responder so as to be capable
of handling any feasible response,
"2D", “2H”, or “2S” by
opener (Figures 5-7).
Example
5
Example 6
Example 7
AXXX
XX (Bid “2C”)
AXXX
XXX
QXXX
XX (Bid “2C”)
A10XXX
AXXX
KXXX
X (Bid “2C”)
KXX
KJX
Redefinition:
The
Stayman Convention, looking for a 4-4
Major suit fit, can be employed opposite
a (15-17) HCP opening 1NT under two (2)
circumstances:
First, when Responder has at
least 8 HCP’s or more (Figures 1-2,
5-7), and secondly, when Responder holds
as few as 0 HCP’s with a hand that can
accept any of the three possible
responses of opener by passing
(“Garbage Stayman”) (Figure 8 &
9). Under the latter
circumstances, Responder can be
reasonably confident that by passing any
of opener’s rebids (2D, 2H, or 2S),
the final contract will be more
manageable than the original 1NT bid.
Example
8
Example 9
JXXX
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
QXXX
XXXXX
X (Bid “2C”)
---
(Bid “2C”)
Background :
Direct, 2nd position
overcalls (as opposed to balancing, 4th
position overcalls) usually guarantee at
least 8 or more HCP’s at the 1-level
and 10 or more HCP’s at the 2-level.
In addition, direct overcalls
guarantee a 5-card or better suit
(Figures 1 & 2).
The bidding has gone “1D” to
your right and you hold:
Example
1
Example 2
Example 3
XXX
XXX
AXXX
AXXXX
XXX
XX
(Pass)
KQX
AJ
(Overcall 2C) KXXX
KX
(Overcall 1H)
AQXXX
KXX
Principle: A direct, second
position Overcall guarantees a 5-card or
better suit, with 8 or more HCP’s at
the 1-level, and 10 or more HCP’s at
the 2-level.
Absent a 5-card or longer suit,
one can make a Take-out Double with
Opening Count
(Figure
4), else must pass if these minimum
requirements are not met (Figure 5).
The bidding has gone “1C” to
your right and you hold:
Example
4
Example 5
AXXX
AXXX
AKXX
AK
KXXX
AXXX
X
(“Double”)
XXX (Pass)
Redefinition:
Generally,
one requires distribution and
high-card-point count as defined above
when making a direct, second position
overcall.
However, a very strong 4-card
suit is perfectly acceptable for a
1-level (not at the 2-level) overcall
(Figures 6 & 7) in second position.
The bidding has gone “1H” to
your right and you hold:
Example
6
Example 7
AQJX
AXX
XXX (Overcall 1S)
XXX
AXX
AKQX
XXX
XXX
(Pass)
Background
:
Penalty Doubles, Take-out or
Informative Doubles, and Negative
Doubles have been discussed on numerous
occasions.
They are utilized, for punishment
of overly aggressive opponents (Figure
1); as a means for a would-be overcaller
to enter the competitive bidding arena
(Figure 2); and by Responder to an
opening partner subsequent to an
overcaller by the would-be-responder’s
RHO when responder’s hand does not
allow for a response because of a lack
of suit length, enough HCP’s, or both
(Figure 3).
(In all Examples, North is the
dealer.)
Example
1
Example 2
Example
3
N
N
N
1H
1H
1H
Dbl.
W
E
W
E
W
E
4S
2S
Dbl.
2C
S S
S
4H
Dbl.
Principle:
A
Double of an artificial bid is
neither a take-out double, nor is it a
penalty double, nor is it a negative
double.
Such a double is made
specifically for the purpose of a lead
directing signal to partner.
Many such examples are possible
(Figures 4, 5, & 6). (Here,
again, North is dealer in all examples.)
Example
4
Example 5
Example
6
N
N
N
1NT
1H
1H
4NT
W
E
W
E
W
E
Dbl. Pass
Pass
Pass
Dbl.
2S
Dbl.
Pass
S
S
S
“2D” (Transfer)
3H
“3S”
“5C”
In example #6, holding (KX XXX XXXXX AXX), West’s double of South’s artificial “3S” facilitates East’s eventual lead of a Spade from East’s hypothetical AQXXXX holding from which, without facilitation, East would be, otherwise, reluctant to lead. Redefinition: A double of an artificial bid is generally a lead-directing double requesting or authorizing the lead of the artificially bid suit.
Background
:
Most beginning bridge players are
reluctant to come into the bidding as
would-be-overcallers, and are
particularly reluctant to think in terms
of bidding something with the advanced
thought that their bid cannot be made,
and that they will be set by
knowledgeable opponents, and probably
even doubled for additional penalties. Their initial
learning has been so geared to bidding
correctly, and to think in terms of
making the stipulated contract, that the
thought of bidding something with the
specific intent to go down, is abhorrent
(Example 1).
Example
1
North
has opened the bidding and
N
thereby evidences an opening
hand with
Approximately 13 HCP’s on
average.
East
1H
shows a weak hand, 5-11 HCP’s
with his/her
W
E pre-emptive
jump overcall.
South shows
Heart support and at least a
limit-raise
2S
or better (11+ HCP’s).
North & South have
S
at least 24 HCP’s, so why
should West even
contemplate bidding????
“3S”
Principle: The LAW of total
tricks advocates that one can compete to
a bidding level, in a competitive
auction scenario, to a level requiring
tricks to be taken equal to the total
number of trump pieces held between the
partnership.
(Example: Nine pieces of
trump to compete to the 3-level (Nine
tricks promised by the bid), ten pieces
of trump to compete to the 4-level (Ten
tricks promised by the bid), and so
forth.
Using this principal, and
utilizing the same bidding (Figure 2) as
above:
Example
2
West
holds:
(KXXX
XX
AXXXX
XX)
N
West should bid 4S in a flash
and without
hesitation.
He/she realizes that East
1H
shows a weak hand with at least a
6-card
W
E Spade
suit.
West holds 4 pieces and so
The partnerships combined Spade
holding
2S
is at least 10 pieces.
The LAW advocates
S
the ability to compete to the
4-level, for
Even if doubled, one expects to
lose less
“3S”
than if the opponents would have
scored a
4-Heart contract.
TRY IT !!!!!
Background
:
Most bridge players utilize the
jump-overcall as a defensive, weak,
pre-emptive tool. It shows a 6-card or
better suit with less than opening count
values (5-11 HCP’s); i.e., a hand
which, as an opening bid would have
pre-empted with a weak 2-bid or even a
weak 3-bid or better
(Examples 1
& 2). It is best to have
most, if not all, of one’s HCP’s
concentrated within the long suit.
It is customarily utilized in the
direct position; i.e., in the 2nd
seat directly after an opening bid by
one’s RHO.
The bidding has gone “1D” to
your immediate right and you hold:
Example
1
(or)
The bidding has gone “1S” to
your immediate
right
and you hold:
AQXXXX
Example
2
XX
XXX
XX
XXX (Overcall 2S)
KJXXXXX
KX
QX
(Overcall 3H)
Principle:
A
jump-overcall is a pre-emptive defensive
overcall, usually a double or triple
jump in a new suit, aimed at obstructing
the bidding by the opening side,
utilized in the direct seat immediately
to the left of an opening bid by the
opponents.
It is otherwise called a “Weak
Jump Overcall”.
This form of weak overcall
must always take the vulnerability into
account, especially when jumping to the
3-level, so as not to open the
possibility of being doubled into a loss
of more points than could have otherwise
been gained by the opponents if left
alone to their own design.
The level of the pre-empt should
be governed by both the vulnerability
and the playing strength of the hand.
Not vulnerable, the level of the
pre-empt should be within 3 tricks of
the declared contract; vulnerable within
2 tricks.
Redefinition:
In
the balancing position, however, a jump
overcall is NOT pre-emptive. In
that position, since it would take place
in the pass-out seat, there would be no
need for a blocking pre-emptive bid.
Accordingly, in the balancing
seat, a jump-overcall shows opening
count with a very good, 5- or 6-card or
better suit (Example 3).
The bidding has gone
“1D” P
P ,
and you hold: Example
3
KJX
AKJ10XX
XX
XX
(Overcall
2H) – The
Jump Overcall in the balancing seat
shows opening count and usually a strong
5- or 6-card suit.
-
8 -
Summation:
In the balancing position, the
requirements for almost all bids
differ from that which could be expected
of them if they had been exercised in
the direct seat; i.e., immediately by
the LHO of any opening bid by the
opponents (Figures
4-6).
The bidding
has gone “1D” to your left and you,
in the balancing seat hold:
1D
P
P
???
Example
4
KQ
(Overcall
1H – 5 Pieces are Desirable, but
not Necessary in the
AQXX
Balancing Seat, as Four Pieces
will Suffice if Necessary.)