Harold’s Bridge Tips

 

                                                                                                                                                                   Updated: 2/20/10  

 

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 Bridge Tip # 185

 

          With nine or more cards distributed between two suits, you, as the opening bidder, should be reluctant to wind up in a NT contract.

 

  You Hold:                    You       Partner                

                AK753         1S         1NT

                95             ????   

                K8         

                K1085

 

       Bid 2C!     Because your pattern is unbalanced, try once again for a suit contract.   Partner can pass, raise Clubs, return to Spades, or, holding six or more pieces of either red suit, bid two of either one, which you must pass.            

 

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 Bridge Tip # 184

 

      When you make a Take-Out double, do not bid again unless you have extra values.   You have already shown opening count and a willingness to play in any of the un-bid suits, so if you hold nothing more than your first bid evidences, pass on any subsequent turn to bid.  In Bridge, while bidding, one need never, nor should they, say the same thing twice.

 

     You Hold:               North (You)    East    South      West  

                   Q1095                                        1D                  

                   A752        Double       Pass      2C       Pass                   

                   6            ????        

                   AQJ4

 

     Pass!     Don’t be seduced by your magnificent Clubs.   Partner made a minimum

Response, (0-8 HCP’s) and even eight tricks might, under these conditions, be hard to achieve.   If Partner responds cheaply to your Take-Out double, you need extra strength to bid again. 

 

     If you make a Take-Out “Double” and then bid your own new suit at your first   re-bid opportunity, you evidence 16 or more HCP’s.

 

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Bridge Tip # 183

 

     There are circumstances where it is critical to over-rule Partner’s good intentions.  These circumstances occur when you hold additional information not yet disseminated to Partner by virtue of the bidding that has occurred thus far.     One such circumstance occurs under the following scenario:

 

  You Hold:                    You       Partner                

                A7            1H          1S

                AQ10742         2H          2-NT           

                5              ????

                Q1095           

 

     Bid 3C!     This suggests a minimum opening bid with six Hearts and four Clubs (With most other Heart/Club distributions or with extra strength, you would have bid Clubs on your second round of bidding).   Partner can either pass or bid three or four Hearts, but he/she must not bid 3-NT.

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 182

 

     There are some circumstances when it is appropriate to bid, even without any HCP’s.    One of them occurs when Partner has made a Take-Out double and you are forced to take a suit preference since your RHO has passed and you cannot afford to “Pass” which would then convert the double to penalties.   Another is as follows:

 

     You Hold:               North (You)    East    South      West  

                   642                       1C     Double   Re-Double           

                   97          ????                     

                   J7532                

                   863

 

     Bid 1D!     This bid promises no HCP’s what-so-ever!   East and South have each shown opening count, and West, by virtue of his/her “Re-Double”, has shown 9 or more HCP’s.   That leaves no more than 0-5 HCP’s in the deck.   You, recognizing that you team is in trouble, and holding a 5-card suit, bid 1D.   This does not seek to show any particular point count, but rather to suggest an escape from the horrific circumstance that has befallen your team.   It is assumed that Partner will recognize your attempt to save him/her and will bid no further.                

 

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Bridge Tip # 181

 

     A direct (2nd) seat overcall at the 1-Level shows a 5-card suit or better and HCP’s that range between 8 and 15.    With 16 or more HCP’s you make a Take-Out double, and then bid your desired suit.  

 

   You Hold:                North (You)    East    South    West  

                AK9642                                     1H                 

                7            ????                      

                KJ6                

                QJ7           

 

     Bid 1S!     Some players are of the misconception that with opening count you must first make a Take-Out double and then bid your suit.   They fail to understand that a simple direct seat overcall can hold HCP’s up to, and including, 15 HCP’s.   An overcall in the direct seat does not deny the strength of a double.   If East, in this instance, were to bid 2H, and Partner were to pass, you hold the strength and distribution such that you can then re-open the bidding with a Take-out double.

 

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Bridge Tip # 180

 

      Be careful to devalue some HCP honors when the bidding makes it likely that they are likely to be of less value than would, at first glance, be presupposed.  

 

  You Hold:               North (You)    East    South    West  

                64                        1D     Double   Pass            

                Q8674       ????                     

                KJ6                

                QJ7           

 

     Bid 1H!    If your LHO (Left-hand Opponent) had opened 1S, all of your high cards would, most likely, be useful; and in that instance the correct bid would have been to jump to 3H in order to invite to game.   As it is, however, your Diamond values sit in front of the opening bidder are probably worthless.   A response, therefore, of 1H is prudent.

 

   

Bridge Tip # 179

 

 When you, as Responder to Partner’s limited holding, sense a misfit and hold less than game values yourself, seek to end the bidding as soon as possible.

  

                             

  (a) You Hold:                    You       Partner               

                K864                         1D

                A10753          1H           2C           

                63             ????   

                75           

 

     Bid 2D!    A bid of 2 Hearts risks playing there opposite a singleton or a void.   A bid of 2S would be considered a Reverse (A Reverse by Responder forces to Game), and that bid is sure to drag the Partnership beyond a level that could conceivably be reasonably be made.   Since Opener holds at least 5-Diamonds, a false preference to 2D is the least of all evils. 

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      (b) You Hold:                     You       Partner               

                A                             1S

                10753            1NT          2D           

                Q9642            ???   

                962           

 

      Pass!    This has the makings of a troublesome hand.   Partner holds, at most, 18 HCP’s and, statistically, most likely fewer; with more he/she would have jumped the bidding.   Since your side lacks a good fit, get out while you still have a chance for a positive score.

 

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   (c) You Hold:                You       Partner               

                J8652                    1H

                5            1S          3H           

                A973         ???   

                J62           

 

      Pass!    Partner promises 16-18 HCP’s with a good 6- or 7-card suit.   Although partner’s bid is a strong game invitation, you could have hardly had less for your first response, and your Heart support is non-existent.  

 

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Bridge Tip # 178

 

When Partner makes a Take-Out Double, and you hold a significant holding in the Opponent’s suit, your response to the Partner’s double varies with the length of your holding in the Opponent’s suit, coupled with the quality of your accompanying HCP’s.

 

            The Bidding has Proceeded:  

 

                      North (You)    East    South    West  

                                      1H     Double   Pass      

                                                              ?????

         You Hold:     

 

              (a) 8643      Bid 1S!   Your hand is too weak to

                  A1084              convert the Take-Out to a 

                  95                Penalty Double by passing.

                  963

                                   

                                   (b) AQ43      Bid 2S!   A Jump response to Partner’s

                  A108              Take-Out Double evidences 9 or 

                  954              more HCP’s and at least 4-Cards

                  963            in the suit bid.

 

              (c) A74       Bid 1NT!   A 1NT response to Partner’s

                  A1084              Take-Out Double evidences 7-10 

                  954              HCP’s, and at least one stopper in

                  963            the Opponent’s suit, and denies 4-cards

                               in any un-bid Major suit. A 2NT response

                             would have shown a similar distribution with

                            11-12 HCP’s, and a 3NT bid would have shown

                          Opening count with at least one Heart stopper.

 

              (d) A7        Pass!   Your Heart suit is long and strong

                  A10964           enough to convert the Take-Out to a

                  85              penalty scenario. 

                  8642

 

              (e) 864          Take your pick from any of the deplorable

                  9632       choices available!   You cannot bid 1NT for  

                  1083     your hand is too weak and you do not hold 

                  943     stopper(s) in the Opponent’s bid suit, you

                        cannot “Pass” which would convert the double to

                                             a penalty scenario.    Therefore, bid 1S, 2C, or 2D, and then go make a phone call if you have a weak stomach and the Opponents do not save your team by bidding further.     

                                         

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Bridge Tip # 177

 

 

      Most hands that make 5 of either Clubs or Diamonds also make 3- or 4-NT. 

 

            You Hold:              You       Partner

                   K74                      1C

                   863          1D          1NT  

                   AKQ1072     ????

                 J

 

     Bid 3NT!     Firstly, you recognize that with opening values opposite Partner’s opening bid, game is likely.   Secondly, you should resist the obvious temptation to re-bid your Diamond suit.   When you table your Dummy hand, and Partner gets first glimpse of your probable 6 tricks in the Diamond suit, he/she will be charmed.   Except in extreme cases, a nine-trick 3-NT game-level contract is preferable to an 11 trick game in a Minor suit.

 

             

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Bridge Tip # 176

 

     The use of “4th suit forcing” is a valuable bidding tool.   It is alertable, possibly artificial, and requires discussion and acceptance by both members of any Partnership.  It forces the bidding for either at least one more round, or until a game-level contract has been reached, again dependent upon Partnership understanding.

 

       You Hold:     A7                 You       Partner

                   AK74                               1C

                   863                   1H           1S   

                   Q874                 ????

 

       Bid “2D”!    You, holding game values opposite an opening bid by Partner, desire to bid a game-level contract, but its denomination remains unclear.   A leap to 3-NT might be correct, but absent a Diamond stopper in Opener’s holding, such a contract might be a disaster.   Mark time with a “4th suit forcing to game” bid of “2D”, in this instance, (Sometimes called a “Western Cue-Bid”).   It forces to game, in most Partnerships, and asks Partner for a stopper in the specific 4th suit bid.    Absent this requirement the partnership can avoid the wrong spot of 3-NT.   If Opener bids anything other than 3-NT, thereby denying a Diamond stopper in this instance, the Partnership can seek an alternative 5C final contract.     

             

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Bridge Tip # 175

 

When Partner shows minimum values by making a simple choice of two suits suggested by you as Opener, and you, the opening bidder, hold extra values; i.e., are at the top of your original re-bid, bid again to show the possibility of a game-level contract.

 

  (a) You Hold:    K75          You              Partner

                   A            1D                 1H     

                   AQJ85        2C                 2D   

                   K864        ????

 

 

 

  (b) You Hold:    K7          You              Partner

                   A5           1D                 1H     

                   AQJ85        2C                 2D   

                   K864        ????

 

 

    (a) Bid 2S, or (b), Bid 3D!   Partner’s Diamond preference evidences, at most, 9 HCP’s.   If you bid, still again, as opposed to simply passing, you, as Opener, evidence about 17 HCP’s and signify that game is yet possible.  Responder, at this point should be able to place the contract at game or below.

  

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Bridge Tip # 174

 

       When Partner makes a Take-Out Double and you hold both, absence of support for any un-bid Major suit, 6-9 HCP’s, and at least one stopper in the Opponent’s bid suit, a response of 1NT is usually better than a Minor suit choice of bids.

 

         You Hold:    74           North (You)    East    South    West  

                 AJ5                          1H    Double    Pass

                 K962           ?????         

                 9863

 

     Bid 1NT!    Since Partner promises support for the unbid suits, a bid of either 2C or 2D might easily be a winning choice.   However, a bid of 1NT is better because it tells Partner that you have 6-9 HCP’s with Hearts, in this instance, stopped.   You might have had as few as 0 HCP’s to have, alternatively, responded 2C or 2D.

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Bridge Tip # 173

 

     When in a Game-forcing scenario, a quick arrival (Example 1) shows weaker HCP values than does a slow arrival (Example 2).  

 

     Example 1:

      You Hold:      K10874          You              Partner

                   85                                “2C”

                   9742         “2D” (0-7)            2S   

                   76            4S (Weak)

 

 

   Example 2:

       You Hold:      K10874          You              Partner

                   Q5                                “2C”

                   Q42          “2D” (0-7)            2S   

76                                                3S (The top of your original 0-7, suggesting the possibility of a Slam)

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 172

 

     Although Partner’s opening bid of one of a suit, followed by his/her re-bid at the 2-Level of a new suit of lower rank than his/her first suit, evidences as much as 18 HCP’s, you, as Responder, should not take a second bid unless you hold at least 9 HCP’s.

 

       You Hold:      K1074        You       Partner

                   Q                        1H

                   Q1072        1S          2C   

                   J108        ????

 

     Pass!    Absent a jump shift by Opener, Partner, here, holds anywhere from 11 to 18 HCP’s.  The chances, therefore, of getting too high, should you, as Responder, bid again, are significantly greater than the likelihood of your missing game.   If you bid once again, Partner might easily proceed to 3-NT with as few as 16 HCP’s and you do not want to be in game with your measly 8 HCP’s.   

 

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Bridge Tip # 171

 

 

      Many bridge players are under the false assumption that the only requirement for a Take-Out Double is opening count, or better.   This is not true!   A Take-Out Doubler requires, not only opening count or better, but also shape.

 

          You Hold:    AQ64         North (You)    East    South    West  

                 K985                                          1S

                 864            ?????         

                 A6

 

     Pass!     You would double a 1C opening bid with glee, and a 1D opening with somewhat less enthusiasm.   Here, however, since you only have support for one of the unbid suits, a double has little chance for success.   Stay out of the auction, unless prodded by Partner, and hope for a plus score by defending rather than by bidding offensively

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Bridge Tip # 170

 

 

          When you make a Take-Out Double, and Partner shows fewer than 9 HCP’s by responding without jumping the bidding, you, the Take-Out doubler, require 17 HCP’s or more to bid again.  Remember, Partner who responded to your request to have him/her bid, could have as few as 0 HCP’s

 

         You Hold:    KQ73         North (You)    East    South    West  

                 AJ85                                          1C     

                 AK742          Double       Pass     1S      Pass 

                 X               ???

 

       Bid 2S!    A Take-Out doubler requires 17 or more HCP’s to bid again if Partner bids cheaply in response.   Remember, Responder might be broke!     

 

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Bridge Tip # 169

 

     When Partner, who has opened the bidding, shows, by virtue of his/her re-bid – a jump to game, a holding, therefore, of 20 HCP’s or more opposite your thus-far presumed minimum of 6 HCP’s, and you, Responder to his/her opening bid hold opening count; take control of the bidding and explore for a Slam-Level contract.  Partner’s jump to game is not a “sign-off”.  Since the values for slam are likely present, do not get cold feet – Go for it!

 

    You Hold:       K7        You       Partner

                  AQ843                 1C

                  KJ75       1H         4H   

                  65        ????

 

     Opener’s jump to 4H shows at least 20 HCP’s or its equivalent, since your first response of 1H could evidence as few as 6 HCP’s.   Opener’s jump to a game-level contract is not, therefore, as some partnerships misconstrue a sign-off.  

 

     You should either jump directly to 6H, start showing controls, else bid 4-NT, if you desire to go through the motions of Blackwood; but with opening count yourself, do not lose sight of the fact that at the point where Opener, here, shows the 20 HCP’s or its equivalent, you then become the “Captain” of the bidding process since, at that juncture, Opener has ended his/her descriptive part of the auction.   At that point you know Slam is probable, Opener only knows you could hold as few as 6 HCP’s.   .  

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Bridge Tip # 168

 

      When Partner overcalls and the Opponents have opened and supported their own suit, a “Double” by you, the Partner of the Overcaller, is called a “Responsive Double”.     It signifies some HCP’s, a willingness to compete further, not necessarily lack of support for Partner’s overcalled suit, but, specifically, support for the two as-yet-unbid suits.   It is alertable and must be agreed-upon by partnerships who desire to use it for this purpose.

    

         You Hold:     K863         North (You)    East    South    West  

                 75                           1H       2C      2H

                 K1062           ?????         

                 Q105

 

            Bid “Double” (Responsive) – Partner, South, promises a good suit and, at least, a fair hand.  You might otherwise bid 3C with your support and HCP’s, but an alternative is to “double”, which signifies, in this instance, both Diamonds and Spades, and a willingness to compete further.        

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 167

 

     Do not bid your values twice!  

 

         You Hold:   J753         North (You)    East    South    West  

                 A85                                          1D

                 Q4           “Double”      Pass     2S      Pass   

                 AQ62           ????

 

     Pass!     Partner’s jump to 2S is invitational, not forcing, and evidences 9-11 HCP’s.    With fewer HCP’s, even as few as 0, he/she would have bid his/her best suit at the cheapest level, and with game-going values, Partner would have cue-bid the Opponent’s suit (Diamonds, in this instance).   Since you have only the HCP’s you first evidenced with your Take-Out Double; i.e., nothing extra, stop at the part-score contract by passing.

 

     Never, under any circumstances, bid your values twice!

    

 

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Bridge Tip # 166

 

When Opener limits his/her hand by virtue of a clearly evident re-bid, and you, as Responder, do not hold any extra values, take control of the bidding sequence and, acting as Captain (being the partner who knows that a game-level contract is not present), make certain that the bidding terminates.

 

        You Hold:     10753         You       Partner

                  AQ5                       1D

                  853            1S         3D    

                  932           ????

 

     Pass!   Partner’s jump to 3D, a jump in his/her opening suit, evidences 16-18 HCP’s and atg least a 6-card Diamond suit.   If it had been a jump in a new suit, it would have, opposite your minimum of 6HCP’s, been forcing to game.   This jump, however, is limited to no more than 18 HCP’s, and with your minimum holding, you must “Pass”.

 

 

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 Bridge Tip # 165

 

      When the bidding reflects clearly that the Partnership is in a game-forcing auction, there is no need to rush to game unless the final contract be self-evident.    If you are not certain, temporize until the right final contract becomes self-evident.  

 

     You Hold:       QJ1O74         You       Partner

                  J86                        1D

                  K5              1S         3C    

                  J75            ????

 

     Bid 3S!    With Partner showing 19 or more HCP’s by virtue of his/her jump shift of 3C, opposite your 8 HCP’s, the Partnership is clearly in a game-forcing auction.  Partner does not know that you have 5-Spades, and you are not certain that a Heart stopper is present within the partnership’s combined holdings.   You can, therefore, afford to mark time with a bid of 3S.   You will then pass if partner (holding 3-Spades, bids 4S), or 3NT holding a Heart stopper.   If Partner, absent these two afore-mentioned responses, bids either 4C or 4D, raise to game in the Minor suit. 

 

 

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 Bridge Tip # 164

 

 

When Partner opens 1NT and you, as Responder, hold game values (11+ HCP’s), and both a 5-card and a 4-card Major, never use Jacoby Transfers, always only bid Stayman.

 

   You Hold:      K1062          You       Partner

                  KQ1084                    1-NT

                  95             “2C”    

                  A7             

 

     Bid “2C” (Stayman) looking for a 4-card Major by Opener.   If Opener bids either 2H or 2S, raise to Game (4H or 4S).   If Opener bids “2D’, denting a 4-card Major, jump to the 5-card Major (Hearts in this instance) 3H, promising game values and 5 Hearts.   Opener will raise to 4H with 3-card Heart support, else bid 3-NT.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

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 Bridge Tip # 163

 

 

      As Responder, holding minimum values, go back to Opener’s first bid suit, even with as few as 2-pieces.  

 

   You Hold:      AQ1083           You       Partner

                  J5                           1H

                  964              1S          2C 

                  Q107            ????

 

     Bid 2H, giving Opener another opportunity should he/she hold extra values.   This “false preference” is your only safe bid.   You must not raise Clubs, which promises at least 4-pieces and 11 HCP’s, or re-bid your Spades with only a 5-card suit.   If you held 6-pieces of Spades with minimum values (see below), then a re-bid of Spades (demanding that Opener accept your suit as Trumps) would be in order. 

 

   You Hold:      AQ10832          You       Partner

                  J5                           1H

                  96               1S          2C 

                  Q107             2S         Pass

 

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 Bridge Tip # 162

 

    When you, as Responder, support Partner’s opening suit at the cheapest level, and Opener then bids a new suit, it is a “Help-Suit” Game Try.   Opener is evidencing extra values and a second outside suit in which he/she is looking for ancillary support in order to reach a possible Game-Level contract.      If you hold some honors and support for Opener’s second suit go to Game (Example 2), if not, re-bid the agreed-upon suit at the cheapest level and the bidding will cease (Example 1), values held outside Opener’s second suit are wasted and will not usually produce Game.

 

     Example 1:

        You Hold:      A85           You       Partner

                     95                       1S

                     KQ732         2S         3C

                     963           3S        Pass

 

 

     Example 2:

        You Hold:      A852          You       Partner

                     95                        1S

                     732           2S          3C

                     AJ63          4S         Pass

    

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 Bridge Tip # 161

 

 Remember the “The Negative Double”.   It is a very useful bidding tool when Responder holds enough HCP’s to respond, too few to bid at the 2-Level, and both unbid suits.

 

        You Hold:    Q6           North (You)    East    South    West

                  J853                                  1C      1S

                  QJ854           ????

                  K8    

 

     Bid “Double” (Negative)!     You have enough HCP’s to respond, but too few to bid at the 2-Level; nor can you try 1NT for the Queen of Spades is of doubtful value as a stopper.   The negative Double is the only avenue to show, (a) lack of support for Opener’s Clubs, enough HCP’s (at least 6) to respond, and tolerance for both un-bid suits (Diamonds and Hearts in this instance).     

 

 

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 Bridge Tip # 160

 

     When you, as Responder, hold minimum values, you must strive to end the bidding at the earliest opportunity, unless Opener shows extra values. 

 

      a) You Hold:    6           You       Partner

                  J85                     1S

                  QJ852       1NT         2S 

                  K863        ????

 

     Pass and hope for a plus score!   Opener holds 6 or more Spades and minimum values.   If you stretch by bidding 2NT, you may be defeated in that contract if Partner is weak in Clubs or Hearts.   Worse yet, Opener may bid again and wind up in a hopeless Game.   Only if you were to hold 6 or more cards in a side suit, would you be justified in bidding once again, as in the following holding, in an attempt to seek a better contract.

 

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   b) You Hold:   6           You       Partner

                  J85                     1S

                  QJ8542      1NT         2S 

                  K86         3D         Pass

 

     When Responder bids 1NT, and then a suit bid, at the cheapest level, after Opener shows minimum values, it shows that Responder holds a weak hand with at least 6-Cards or more in the bid suit, and demands that Opener “Pass”. 

 

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      c) You Hold:   K106        You       Partner

                  J85                     1C

                  QJ854       1D          1S 

                  86         ????

 

     Pass!   After Responder bids a new suit at the 1-Level, a non-jump change of suit by Opener (being limited to no more than 18 HCP’s) is not forcing.   Your partner, here, would have bid 2S if he/she had enough HCP’s to insist on a game contract opposite your bid which showed as few as 6 HCP’s.   Since you were barely worth your first response, don’t give partner another chance – Pass!

    

 

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 Bridge Tip # 159

 

     When you, as Responder to Partner’s opening bid of one of a suit, hold only moderate values (an average hand of 8-10 HCP’s), you must attempt to limit your strength quickly.

 

      You Hold:      Q2           You       Partner

                  AJ84                     1D

                  84           ???? 

                  KJ852       

 

      Bid 1-Heart!   You have enough HCP’s to bid 2-Clubs, but not enough HCP’s to then bid Hearts next (Forcing, since a Reverse by Responder is forcing to Game), if Opener were to bid 2-Diamonds or 2NT over 2-Clubs.   Thus, do not mention the Clubs and immediately respond 1H in an attempt to search for a fit in the Major.   If you did otherwise, there stands a good chance that if Opener were to hold minimum values, you might get too high in the bidding.   

 

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 Bridge Tip # 158

 

          When Opener of one of any suit has, by virtue of his/her second bid, limited his/her holdings, Responder automatically becomes the Captain and must take control and place the contract.

 

       You Hold:       K1085           You       Partner

                   AK8                         1C

                   KJ6             1S          2C

864           ??

 

     Bid 3NT!   Since Opener has limited his/her hand showing fewer than     4-Spades, 6 or more Clubs, and a minimum of 11-15 HCP’s, Responder must take control and place the contract.   Since Responder hold points in the two un-bid suits (Diamonds and Hearts), a No-Trump contract is likely to be best!   

The Partnership holds a combined total evidencing game values – go for it!

 

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 Bridge Tip # 157

 

        When holding an unbalanced pattern, show your second suit after Partner responds 1NT to your first bid.   This holds true whether you are playing forcing No Trumps or not.

 

       You Hold:      AK743          You       Partner

                   K9             1S          1NT

                   95            ????

                   Q1085

 

     Bid 2-Clubs!   Since you hold an unbalanced hand, try once again for a suit contract.   Partner can “Pass”, raise Clubs, return to Spades, or bid two of either red suit (which you will then pass).  You must not re-bid you Spades; if Partner holds one Spade and four Clubs, or if Partner holds 6 or more Diamonds, or 6 or more Hearts, you would be to blame if you were to wind up in a terrible 1NT contract.

 

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 Bridge Tip # 156

 

     Many “Doubles” exist within the armamentarium of most bridge players; the Penalty Double, the Take-Out Double, the Negative Double, the Maximal Double, the Lightner Double, the Support Double, to name just a few.    Each is instituted by a player simple saying, “Double”; but the meaning of its use is always directly and specifically related to the conditions existing in the bidding process at the time in which it is used.   Each has a different use under a very specific set of conditions.   Most need not be alerted, some, however, do require one.  Some are used more than others.

 

     Two, very useful, little-used, and often confused “Doubles”, are the “Responsive Double”, and the “Rosenkrantz Double”.

  

  1. Both require an “alert”
  2. Both are utilized by the Partner of a player who has previously overcalled
  3. Both occur after both of the Opponents have bid
  4. Each carries a totally different message

 

 

     A.  The Responsive Double is utilized by the Partner of an Overcaller, either (a) when only two suits have previously been bid, one by the Opponents, and one by one’s Partner (Example 1), or when Partner has made a Take-out Double, and the Opponent’s bid, likewise, a single supported suit (Example 2).

 

 

     Example 1:  The Responsive Double is used to show points, a lack of support for Partner’s overcalled suit, but the presence of at least 4 or more cards in the two, as-yet-unbid suits.

 

          West      North (Partner)      East      South(You) 

           1D           1H                2D        “Double” (Responsive)

   

     Here South shows fewer than 3 Hearts, at least 8 or more HCP’s, Clubs and Spades (The two unbid suits), and a desire to compete.

 

 

     Example 2:  

 

          West      North (Partner)      East      South(You) 

           1D          “Double”           2D        “Double” (Responsive)

   

     Here South shows a desire to compete; i.e., some HCP values, but with no specific suit preference for the remaining three un-bid suits.

 

     B.  The Rosenkrantz Double is utilized by the Partner of an Overcaller, when three suits have previously been bid, two by the Opponents, and one by one’s Partner (Example 3).

 

          Example 3:  The Rosenkrantz Double is used to show at least 6 or more HCP’s, at least 2-card support for Partner’s overcalled suit, and specifically a holding of the Ace or King of Partner’s bid suit.

 

          West      North (Partner)      East      South(You) 

           1D             1H              1S        “Double” (Rosenkrantz)

 

   Here South shows support for North’s Hearts, a holding which includes either the Ace or the King of Hearts and competitive values.   As opposed to Example 4:

 

    Example 4:  

    

          West      North (Partner)      East      South(You) 

           1D             1H              1S           2H

 

   Here South shows support for North’s Hearts, competitive values, but without the presence of either the Ace or the King of Hearts.  If a Partnership uses the Rosenkrantz Double, then under the circumstances of South’s 2H bid, as shown above, the 2H bid is alertable by North; i.e. South has shown support for Hearts but without either the Ace or King.

 

     The Value of the Rosenkrantz Double is that it offers assistance for Partner, should he/she be on lead following the completion of the bidding, as to whether or not it is safe to lead the overcalled suit say, for example, away from an AQXXX, or, conversely, to avoid leading the suit, even though it was supported by Partner.   It can, thusly, save an, otherwise, lost defensive trick, at trick one.

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Bridge Tip # 155

    

     Opposite any 2-Level response by Responder in a new suit (Weak Jump Responses excluded), a Reverse by Opener (Example 1), is always forcing to Game.   This holds true whether the Partnership is playing “Two-over-one Game Forcing” or not.    This is to be distinguished from a Reverse by Opener after a 1-level response from Responder (Example 2), which is forcing for only 1-round.

 

     Example 1:       North             South

                     1H                2C (10+ HCP’s)

                     2S (17+ HCP’s)

 

     Since the combined totality of high-card points referenced by a new-suit, 2-Level response by Responder, added to that of the Reverse bid by Opener, the Partnership has evidenced no fewer than game-level high cards and the Partnership need be committed to, at least, a game-level contract.    North’s bid here, therefore, is forcing to Game.

 

 

     Example 2:       North             South

                     1C                1S (6+ HCP’s)

                     2D (17+ HCP’s)

 

     Since the combined total here could be as little as 23 HCP’s, Opener’s Reverse, here, if forcing for only one-round.

 

    

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Bridge Tip # 154

    

     Many different systems are used in response to Partner’s opening bid of a strong, artificial, and forcing “2C”.    Some, as with “The Standard Method” and “Jacoby Steps” are utilized in describing the number of high-card points held by Responder, while “The ‘2D’-Waiting” Convention seeks to have the Responder wait until Opener shows his/her suit before the Responder evidences his/her point count, and/or suit preferences.

 

      Many players feel that, although the point count of Responder’s holdings be of value, that the presence of Kings and/or Aces held by Responder is, by far, much more important information for Responder to disseminate to Opener than, say, the presence of either Queens or Jacks.   After all, four Queens certainly do not hold the trick-taking capacity, under most circumstances, as do two Aces.   Both contain 8 high-card points, but the latter holding is usually of far greater import to Opener.

 

     The showing of “Controls”, by Responder, is, therefore, a much-preferred system by many players, over any of the three other Conventions described above, and is their Convention of choice in response to Opener’s opening bid of a strong, artificial, and forcing “2C”.   This method evidences the presence, or absence, of either Kings or Aces, or both, held by Responder.   Any Ace is designated as being valued as equal to     2 Controls, while Kings are valued as 1 Control.   Responses to Opener’s “2C” are thus as follows:  (All bids are artificial and require an alert.)

                    

        “2D” = 0 or 1 Control (No Aces and either none, or one, King)

        “2H” = 2 Controls (Either one Ace or two Kings)

        “2S” = 3 Controls (One Ace and one King)

     “2NT” = 3 Controls (Specifically, three Kings)

        “3C” = 4 Controls (Either two Aces, or One Ace and two Kings)

        “3D” = 5 Controls (Either two Aces and one King, or one Ace and three Kings)

 

     In any of the above-referenced systems of response, the initial bid of “2C” is forcing until 2NT, 3 of any Major suit, or 4 or any Minor suit has been reached.     

 

Bridge Tip # 153

    

     Today, modern bridge techniques call for “a new suit by Responder” and “a Reverse by Opener”, both, as forcing for one round.    Responder has shown at least 6 or more HCP’s and Opener 17 or more.   Both Partners usually recognize each of these “forcing-for-one- round” bids, but some do NOT know how to put on the skids if each holds the minimum of their respective high-card point count.   When they do hold minimums, the Partnership holds about 23 HCP’s, Game is seldom present; yet, there is strong tendency, if they not be careful, for most Partnerships to wander into an unsound game under these conditions when both players have minimum holdings.   The “Ingberman 2NT” bid enables Partnerships, under these conditions, to put on the brakes, and to avoid this pitfall.  

 

     Following a 1-Level suit response by Responder, and a Reverse by Opener, a “2NT” bid, by Responder (The Ingberman 2NT Convention), shows a minimum holding of 5-7 HCP’s by Responder, and seeks to extract whether or not Opener, likewise, holds the minimum of 17-18 HCP’s, thereby stopping the Partnership from overbidding.      If Opener holds the minimum, he/she must “puppet” a conventional “3C” response to Responder’s “2NT” thus requiring the Partnership to stop at the 3-level in whatever suit best applies.  

 

     In summary, following a call of one of a suit by Opener, a new suit bid by Responder, and then a “Reverse” by Opener, if either Responder does NOT bid “2NT”, or if Opener does not bid “3C” after the “Ingberman 2NT” is invoked by Responder, then the Partnership is committed to Game.   With a departure from the two Ingberman bids by either Partner, the Partnership is automatically committed to a game-level contract.   All of the bids under this Convention require an alert.     

 

    Example:   West                         East

              XX                          KQXX

              QX                          XXX

              AKXX                        JXXX

              AKJXX                       XX

                     

           1C                             1S

           2D (A Reverse)                “2NT” (Ingberman)

          “3C” (showing a Minimum)        3D (To play)

          Pass  

 

     In this example, had East not bid “2NT”, of if having done so, if West had not bid “3C” in response, then the Partnership would be committed to a game-forcing auction.

 

     The situation is different, however, when Responder’s first response is a new suit at the 2-Level.   Since a sequence such as 1H, 2D, 2S is game forcing, a continuation of 2NT by Responder is not Ingberman.   It is natural and shows at least one stopper in Clubs, the un-bid suit.

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Bridge Tip # 152

    

1.  Defenders take tricks with their lower or lowest equal.  If you, as a Defender, can take a trick with a Jack or a Queen, take it with the Jack.   Taking it with the Queen denies the Jack and can screw Partner’s thinking.

 

1.     After Partner has described his/her hand and you know what the final contract should be, bid it!   The one who knows, goes!  Say Partner opens 1-NT showing 15-17, and you have 18 HCP’s (or 12-14 and you have 21), reasonably balanced. There are 33 points between the two hands so bid 6-NT!   If leaping so high scares you, go to a mirror and say “6-NT” out loud.   Do it! 

 

2.     Play the cards you are known to hold from the lead and third-hand’s play.   Say the Queen is led and Dummy holds the X-X-X-X.   You, the Declarer, hold the K-J doubleton.   When the third hand plays the Ace, your King and Jack are equals; however, third hand knows you have the King from the lead of the Queen, but doesn’t know you have the Jack.  If you play the King under the Ace, the Jack remains a mystery card.  The opening leader also knows you have the King from the play of the Ace.   Get rid of the King!   

 

3.     When fortunate enough to hold a powerful trump suit and being forced to ruff, tend to not to ruff with your lowest trump.  That tiny trump may be your only way to get to the Dummy’s hand.   Similarly, when drawing trumps try to keep a flexible entry position using the same technique of not always throwing your lowest possible card as you draw the trump suit.        

 

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Bridge Tip # 151

    

 

1.     When giving Partner a ruff, the card you lead is suit preference telling Partner which suit to return after the ruff.   The return of a relatively high card asks for a return in the higher-ranking of the two remaining suits.   A return of your lowest card asks for a return in the lower-ranking of the two remaining suits.   The return of a middle card means you have no preference.

   

2.     As Declarer, whenever possible, withhold any spot card lower than the one that has been led or lower than the one played to your right.   If the Opponents are using standard card signals, this tip is sure to confuse them.   Say the 3 is led against a No Trump contract and Dummy has the A-K-5 and you (South) have the Q-6-2.   You play the King from Dummy and third hand plays the 4.   If you play the 6, concealing the deuce, consider the confusion you have caused:  fourth hand will not know if Partner has led from a 4- or 5-card suit (can’t see the deuce), and the opening leader will not know if Partner is signaling with encouragement or discouragement with something like the Q-4-2 (can’t see the deuce).   If you play the deuce at trick one, East knows that West has led from a 4-card suit, and West knows that partner’s 4 is discouraging. 

 

3.     When leading from Dummy to take a finesse with a number of equal honors in your hand, finesse with the higher or highest equal.   Say you have the A-Q-J-10 in your hand and X-X in the Dummy.   When you lead low from the Dummy and second hand plays low, play the Queen (not the 10).   You give away too much information if you play the 10.    If the 10 were to lose to the King, second hand will not know you have either the J or the 10.   If the 10 wins, and second hand has the King, second hand knows you still have the Q-J.  However, if the Queen were to win, second hand can’t be sure you have the J-10. 

 

4.     At a suit contract holding A-X-X facing X-X-X and the suit is led, it is usually right to hold-up and then win the second round of the suit, not the first.   If one of the Opponents has a doubleton, and you have held-up by taking the second trick, not the first, you have effectively cut the communication between the two Opponents.  Take the second trick with the Ace, not the first.   This, of course, assumes that you have no place to put these losers.   

 

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Bridge Tip # 150

    

      The best lead against a 6-NT contract is often very different than against a 3-NT contract.    Against a 6-NT contract one should avoid leading away from an honor unless you hold a sequence.

 

       You hold      K10763

                  J108

                  85

                  Q92

 

      Example 1:   Against 3-NT:   Lead the 6 of Spades – 4th best from your longest and strongest. 

                            

            Example 2:   Against 6-NT:   Lead the J of Hearts. If the Opponents have about 33 HCP’s, guess how many Partner has. 

                                       Lead the safest card possible!

 

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Bridge Tip # 149

 

       1. When returning the suit Partner has led, with two cards remaining return the higher; with three cards remaining, return the lowest.     Say, for example, Partner leads low and Dummy has all low cards.  If you hold A-10-6, play the Ace and return the 10.    If you hold A-10-6-3, play the Ace and return the 3.

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   2. One usually leads low from an honor; i.e., an Ace, King, or Queen, and suggests that a continuation of that suit at a later time is likely to be advantageous to the defense.   If Partner leads a low card in one suit, gets in and then shifts to a low card (showing strength) in another suit, Partner desires a return in the second suit.   If Partner, alternatively, shifts to a high card in a second suit (top of nothing, perhaps), he/she is asking for a return in the first suit.   Got it?

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  3. When there is a short side suit in Dummy and Declarer draws all of Dummy’s trumps the inference is that Declarer does not have any losers in that suit to ruff.  Translation:   It is safe to discard that suit!

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        4. When discarding, keep length parity with the Dummy.   If Dummy holds A-K-Q-8 in a suit, and you hold four pieces, one of which is higher than Dummy’s lowest, and, therefore, could take a trick, be careful about discarding from that suit.  Be very careful!! Don’t!!!   

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        5.  When defending a suit contract, Declarer uses two main techniques to garner extra tricks: (1), setting up a long suit in Dummy, and (2), trumping losers in the short hand (usually the Dummy).

 

a.     If Dummy comes down with a long and a short suit and you have the long suit bottled up, lead trumps because the long suit is not useable.

b.     If it appears that the long suit is useable, play an attacking defense going for outside tricks as soon as possible.

c.     If the Dummy comes down balanced, Declarer has no place to get rid of losers and will, therefore, potentially lose them.   In this instance both you and Partner should adopt a passive defense.  Avoid breaking new suits if possible.  Let Declarer have the tricks to which he/she is entitled, and just sit back and wait for your tricks – Your day will come!

 

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Bridge Tip # 148

    

     A Double by you, when your RHO bids either a Stayman “2C” (Example 1), or a Jacoby transfer bid (Example 2), or a response to Blackwood (Example 3), are all, lead-directing doubles.    A “double” of any artificial bid is a lead directing double.  An absence of a double over any artificial bid by the Opponents, therefore, carries a negative inference that you have no particular interest in that suit being led.

    

     Example 1:  

                     East      South       West      North (You)

                     1NT        Pass       “2C”       Double    

 

                                         You hold:    XXX

                                                      XX

                                                      XXX   

                                                      AKJXX 

 

   Example 2:  

                     East      South       West      North (You)

                     1NT        Pass       “2H”       Double    

 

                                         You hold:    XXX

                                                      AQ10XX

                                                      XXX   

                                                      XX  

   Example 3:  

                     East      South       West      North (You)

                      1S        Pass        2H         Pass

                      3S        Pass        4S         Pass

                     4NT        Pass       “5D”       Double     

 

                                         You hold:    XX

                                                      XXX

                                                      KQ10X   

                                                      XXXX                                                      

                                                   

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Bridge Tip # 147

    

 

     After Partner opens the bidding with one of a suit, and your RHO overcall 1NT (showing 15-17 HCP’s), you should double for penalty if you hold

9 or more HCP’s (Example 1).  Bidding any new suit denies the strength to double; i.e., fewer than 9 HCP’s, usually with a 5-card or longer

suit (Example 2).

 

 

     North      East     South (You)     West 

      

    1S        1NT         ????

 

 

    Example 1   You hold:    10X

                             KJXX

                             AJXXX   (Double! You have them outgunned)

                             J10                

 

 

         

    Example 2   You hold:    10x

                             XXXX

                             AJXXX    (Respond 2D)

                             XX                 

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   Bridge Tip # 146

    

     A 2NT response to Partner’s Take-out Double shows 10-12 HCP’s (Example 2), and is not forcing.   A 1NT response to a Take-out Double shows 6-9 HCP’s (Example 1), and is similar to a 1NT response to any opening bid of one of a suit.   No Trump responses to any Take-out Double guarantee at least one stopper (hopefully two), in the Opponent’s suit.   You do not need stoppers in the other suits.   Partner is supposed to have them for his/her Take-out Double.   A 3NT response evidences 13(+) HCP’s (Example 3) with at least one stopper in the opponent’s bid suit.

 

                         West      North      East     South (You) 

       

                     1S       Double      Pass        ???

 

 

      Example 1   You hold:    KJXX

                               XX

                               Q10X    (Respond 1NT)

                               JXXX                 

 

 

         

      Example 2   You hold:    KJXX

                               XX

                               Q10X    (Respond 2NT)

                               AJXX                 

 

 

 

      Example 2   You hold:    KJXX

                               QX

                               Q10X    (Respond 3NT)

                               AJXX                 

 

 

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   Bridge Tip # 145

        

     When responding to Partner’s Take-out double with 12 or more HCP’s, cue-bid the Opponent’s suit to show a strong hand, and then bid your suit(s) later.   After this cue-bid, and new suit by you is forcing.

 

      You (South) hold:      KQXX                    

                             AJXX                                           

                             QXX       

                             XX 

  

         West      North      East     South (You) 

      

           1C      Double      Pass        ???

 

 

     Bid “2C” to show a big hand (12 or more HCP’s).   You and Partner then bid 4-card suits up the line until you connect in a 4-4 Major suit fit.   If Partner bids 2D, bid 2H; if Partner bids 2H, raise to 4H.  The one who knows, goes! 

 

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   Bridge Tip # 144

        

     The requirements for overcalling in the Direct (2nd) Seat, relative to an Opening bid by the opposition is standard (Example 1); any reasonable 5-card suit and at least 8 or more HCP’s if at the 1-Level, and 10, or more, HCP’s if at the 2-Level.

 

 

 

  Example 1:  

                     East      South (You)      West      North

                       1S          2H          

 

                             XX      (Overcall 2H – Here, in the 2nd Seat with your RHO having opened 1S, you make a reasonable overcall with a

                                 AQXXX     5-Card suit and at least 10 HCP’s or more)

                                 KX       

                                 QXXX           

                                                                                           

 

     In the Balancing (4th) Seat, relative to an Opening bid by the opposition, the requirements for coming into the bidding are more relaxed (Example 2).   One can do so with fewer HCP’s and/or even a 4-Card suit.

 

 

 

  Example 2:  

                     East      South      West      North

                       1S       Pass       Pass       2H

 

                                                 (Here North, is in the Balancing Seat, and this bid can be made with fewer HCP’s,

                                                                                                                                         And with even a 4-card Suit, if Necessary so as to keep the bidding Open.)

                                           

                                         

     In a contested auction, however, where both Opponents have bid, one must be careful in the 4th Seat (Example 3).   Here, Partner has not yet chosen to bid, the Opponents show at least 20 or more HCP’s and Opener to your left, if strong, can double you for penalties if so desired.  Under these conditions, in order to safely overcall, one should have at least a 6-Card suit, and/or at least opening count.

 

 

 

    Example 3:  

                     East      South      West      North

                       1S       Pass        2C       ????

 

                                                 (Here North, is in the direct Seat, relative to West’s response to Opener’s 1S,

                                                                                                                                         And if North chooses to overcall in this ongoing auction, East is in position to Double for penalties.

                                                                                                                   

                          North, with:

        XX       

            AQXXX     

            KX       should Pass, for now, and possibly come into the auction later, if the opportunity arises, should EW abandon the auction at a reasonably low level.   

            QXXX            

                                                   

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   Bridge Tip # 143

 

     Some confusion exists when using some Jacoby transfer bids as to whether Opener should call out “Alert” or “Transfer”.   When one is transferring to Hearts (a “2D” call), or to Spades (a “2H” call), there is little disagreement and no uncertainty that the word “Transfer” should always be called by the 1-No-Trump opener.    The confusion and error arises, however, singularly when a “2S” bid is called by Responder.   In this instance the two possible verbalizations are not interchangeable, in that one, or the other, is singularly correct, depending upon what the Responder is telegraphing to Opener by his/her bid of “2S”. 

 

     Some insist that in this instance they should always say “Transfer”, others that they should always say “Alert”, and some think it does not matter; i.e., that the two words can be used interchangeably.   This is not correct, and is far from the truth.   It does indeed matter, depending upon the Partnership understanding as to what the transferee is signaling when he/she bids “2S” following a 1-NoTrump opening bid by Partner.

 

1.     If the Partnership agreement is that a “2S” response to a 1-NoTrump opening bid directs the opening bidder to say 3C (a “Puppet” Bid) without knowledge as to whether the Responder really wants Clubs (Responder may Pass), or Responder may convert the puppet bid of “3C” to 3D, if that be the desired spot by Responder, then the correct verbalization by Opener is “Alert” (“I am supposed to bid ‘3C’ and I do not know at this point whether Responder really wants Clubs or Diamonds”).

 

2.     If the Partnership is playing 3-way Transfers, and their agreement is that a “2S” response to an opening 1-NoTrump absolutely signifies a Club desire by Responder, then the proper verbalization by Opener is “Transfer”.

 

3.     And lastly, if the Partnership is playing 4-way Transfers, and their agreement is that a “2S” response to an opening 1-NoTrump absolutely signifies a Diamond desire by Responder, then the proper verbalization by Opener is “Transfer”.

 

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   Bridge Tip # 142

 

     When responding to Partner’s Take-out Double, one should jump the bidding in one’s long suit, with 9-11 revalued points.   Any un-bid 5-card suit is worth 1 extra point, and an un-bid 6-card suit is worth 3 extra points.   Do not count points for Jacks or Queens in suits the Opponents have bid.

 

      You (South) hold:      AQ10XX                    

                             QXX                                           

                             XX       

                             10XX 

  

         West      North      East     South (You) 

      

           1D      Double      Pass        ???

 

     Jump to 2S, count one extra point for the 5th Spade.  If you were to bid 1S it would have shown 0-8 revalued points.    Also, a jump bid by Responder to a Take-out Double by Partner is not forcing.

 

     With 12 or more HCP’s, Responder should either jump to game, else cue-bid the suit bid by the Opponent, both to exhibit game values when coupled with the doubler’s opening count.

                        

 

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Bridge Tip # 141

 

     Many Partnerships have an understanding that an opening bid of “3NT” is a “Gambling 3NT” attempt.  It shows 9-11 HCP’s and a 7-card self-sufficient Minor suit holding, (Clubs or Diamonds), headed by the AKQ (Example 1) (Note that any more than an outside Queen would be sufficient to satisfy the Rule of 20, thereby increasing the hand’s strength to a normal “1 of the Minor” opening bid – Example 2).

 

  Example 1:    X

         QXX     (Open “3NT” – A Gambling NT Game attempt)

             XX

             AKQXXXX

 

                         Example 2:    X

                             KXX     (Open 1D)

                                 AKQXXXX

                                 XX

 

     In this system, if Partner feels he/she does not have the ability to run nine quick tricks by holding stoppers in the other three suits and an ability to get to Opener’s hand by virtue of having at least one piece of Opener’s presumed long Minor suit, then the Partner exits the attempt by bidding “4C” which allows the partnership to escape, by Opener either passing or converting to 4D, whichever is Opener’s long Minor suit.   The presumption here is that the Opponents have game, and that either the 3NT contract will make, or that the 4C or 4D sacrifice will yield a better Duplicate result.

 

     What is seldom discussed, however, is that this Convention is only utilized in positions one, two, or three.  In these positions, the logical presumption holds that if the opponents can make game, a sacrifice contract makes logical sense.   In position four, however, such a presumption makes no sense.  If one truly believed that the Opponent’s could make a positive score, than passing would be the best solution, since the bidding would end and neither team would make a plus score.   Therefore, a 3NT opening bid in fourth position, after three consecutive passes, is not a “Gambling 3NT” attempt, rather a perceived attempt to truly make 3NT and does not request the normal 4C or 4D exit bids by Partner (Example 3).

 

     Example 3:  

 

   East      South      West      North (You)

 

   Pass      Pass       Pass         3NT

 

                             AXX     (Open “3NT”)

                                 XX

                                 X

                                 AKQXXXX

 

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Bridge Tip # 140

 

       A Take-out Double by a passed hand shows 9-11 HCP’s with shortness in the Opener’s suit.    If the Opponents have bid two suits, the double promises at least 4-card support for both of the un-bid suits.  

 

       You (South) hold:      AJXX                    

                             XX                                           

                             KJ10XX       

                             XX  

  

         South (You)     West      North      East

      

            Pass          1C        Pass        1H

          “Double”  

 

                     Your Double, here, shows both un-bid suits.  A 2D overcall might lose a Spade fit, should it be present.      

 

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Bridge Tip # 139

 

 

     It is common today for Bridge players to interfere over a 1-NT opening bid by the Opponents.  The number of Conventions available to accomplish this abound.  They include, but are not necessarily limited to, Natural Bids, “TWERB,” “Capeletti,” “Brozel,” and “DON’T,” among others.  Normally, the Partner to the opening NT bidder becomes the Captain as to whether or not the Partnership continues in the bidding process.   The question may arise, however, if the Opponents do interfere, followed by a “Double” from Opener, what is the significance of Opener’s Double; is it for Takeout or is it for Penalties, and under what conditions is Opener likely to make such a call?   The answers are as follows:

 

     The meaning of a “Double” by a 1NT Opener subsequent to interference bids by the Opponents depends upon the relative table position of Opener in relation to the interfering bid.   If the interference is on Opener’s left, his/her “Double” is for Takeout (Example 1).   If the interference is on Opener’s right, his/her “Double” is for penalties (Example 2).

 

(In each Example below, the bidding begins with North opening with a 1NT call.)

 

NORTH

                                 1NT/Dbl - (For Takeout – Most Probably 

                                             with 16-17 HCP’s, a low

                                            Doubleton in Diamonds and

                                           Strong holdings in the other 

                                               three suits.)

 

     Example 1:       WEST                     EAST

                      Pass                      2D (Natural)    

 

                   SOUTH

                   Pass

 

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NORTH

                                 1NT/Dbl - (For Penalties – Most likely      

                                             with 16-17 HCP’s, and a 

                                            strong Heart holding as well    

                                           as good defensive tricks in

                                          the other three suits.)

 

     Example 2:       WEST                     EAST

                       2H                      Pass                           

 

                   SOUTH

                   Pass

 

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Bridge Tip # 138

 

    When the bid to your right is strong, a jump by you is weak (Example 1); and when the bid to your right is weak, a jump by you is strong (Example 2).

 

     Example 1:  

                     East        South          West(You)     North

                      1C       Dbl.(Strong)      2S (Weak) 

 

 

   Example 2:  

                     East       South           West(You)     North

                                                       1C       2D (Weak)        3S (Strong)

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 137

 

 

     With few exceptions, with two 5-card suits, open with the higher ranking-suit, respond in the higher-ranking suit, and overcall in the higher-ranking suit.   Never worry about which suit is the stronger.

 

          You hold:      X                    

                         J10XXX    Open 1H, not 1D, respond 1H to an opening 1C by Partner, or overcall                                      

                         AKQXX       1H if the opening bid were 1C by your RHO (Right-hand Opponent).            

                         KX         

                                    

 

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Bridge Tip # 136

 

     Conventional wisdom dictates that other than a pre-emptive jump response showing less than 6 HCP’s (Some partnerships play this shows 19+), any bid by a Responder to a one-of-a-suit opening by Partner shows 6 or more HCP’s.   The question then arises, are there any conditions, other than when partnerships use

pre-emptive weak jump responses, when Responder should bid with fewer than 6 HCP’s?   Answer: Yes, there are two!

 

1.      When Responder has 4-5 HCP’s and one or none of Opener’s Minor suit opening.   When using either a “Short Club” or “Preferred Minor” system, oft times, Opener can have as few as two or three in his or her Minor suit opening.  So as to eliminate the potential that the Partnership is playing in a 2-4 piece Trump suit contract, should the Opponents pass the bidding out, Responder should try to bid something when holding 4-5 HCP’s and a void, singleton, or doubleton in Opener’s Minor suit.

                 East      South      West(You)

 

                  1C        Pass       ?????

 

                                     XXX    (Respond 1H and hope you do not find Opener with 20 HCP’s such that Opener bids Game.)

                                     KJXX    

                                     XXXX      

                                     XX      

 

----------------------------------------------------

 

2.      When Responder has specifically any Ace as his/her 4 or 5 HCP holding.  An Ace has an assured (with few exceptions) one trick-taking capacity.  This card is indisputably helpful to Opener and, as a result, entitles Responder to take a minimum response of some sort.  

 

                 East      South      West(You)

 

                  1D        Pass       ?????

 

                                     AXXX    (Respond 1S! Then do not bid again.)

                                     XXX      

                                     X        

                                     XXXXX       

 

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Bridge Tip # 135

 

     Since the object of bidding in the game of bridge is to describe your hand to partner, and he or she to you, as concisely and efficiently as possible, there is usually one bid from all others that achieves this purpose on any particular hand.   Oft times, however, although two are more bids be feasible with any specific holding, one bid usually stands out, for one or any number of reasons, as the best.

 

     Such is the case when holding a hand as seen here (assuming the partnership does not employ a weak or “Precision”, 12-14 HCP, opening 1NT).

 

                           XXX           An opening of 1D is, with this holding, universal. As “Murphy’s Law” will usually dictate a response by Responder of

           KX        1H is likely.  Two re-bids, upon reflection, seem feasible: either a re-bid of 2C, else 1NT.   Many Players seem to

           AXXX     automatically defer to a 2C response due to a lack of a Spade stopper, and as a result are naturally deterred from an alternate 1NT

           AQXX   call.  Do not fall into this trap!  Although a 2C re-bid may work out in some instances, statistically, a 1NT call is preferred. 

                    

 

     With an evenly balanced hand, and 11-14 HCP’s, do not re-bid 2C after opening 1D unless you hold at least nine (9) cards in the Minor suits.   Re-bid 1NT even without a stopper in the as-yet-unbid Major when holding only eight (8) (See examples below).

                    

(a)    AXX

XX    Open 1D and re-bid 1NT over a response of 1H or 1S.

    KQXX

    KJXX     (b) KX

                 XX     Open 1D and re-bid 2C over a response of 1H or 1S.

                 AQXXX       

                 KJXX

 

                         (c) KX

                             XX     Open 1D and re-bid 2C.  Note, Opener should not use the “length before strength” edict here because to

                             AQXX    Open 1C and then re-bid 2D would Signify a “Reverse” evidencing 17 or more HCP’s.

                             KJXXX   

                                       

              (d) AX

                  X       Open 1D and re-bid 2C.

                  AQXXX

                  KXXXX

 

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Bridge Tip # 134

 

     When responding to Partner’s Takeout Double, a NT response promises at least one stopper in the Opponent’s bid suit, preferable two.   You do not need stoppers in all of the other suits, however, in order to bid NT.   In response to Partner’s Takeout Double, a 1NT response shows, 7-9 HCP’s, a 2NT response evidences 10-12 HCP’s, and a 3NT response shows 13 or more HCP’s.

 

                 East      South      West      North (You)

 

                  1S      “Double”    Pass        ?????

 

   (1)  KXXX   XXX   XXXX   XX   (Bid 2C – Your hand is too weak to bid NT, not-withstanding the stopper in Spades)

                                 

   (2)  KQX   QJX   XXXX   XXX   (Bid 1NT)

 

   (3)  AQXX   KX   XXX   QXXX   (Bid 2NT)

 

   (4)  AQX   KXX   JXX   KXXX   (Bid 3NT)

 

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Bridge Tip # 133

 

        

When Partner bids two suits and you have an equal number of cards in each suit, take partner back to the first suit, if you have no other bid.

 

               South (Partner)           North (You)             

                    1H                      1S       

                    2D                      ???

 

                        You hold:      AXXX                    

                                       K10       (Bid 2H)                                

                                       JX                  

                                       XXXX  

 

    A direct raise by Responder of a second suit bid by Opener promises 4-card support. 

 

                         South (Partner)           North (You)             

                    1D                       1S       

                    2H                      ???

 

                        You hold:      AXXXX                    

                                       K10XX       (Bid 3H)                                

                                       JX                  

                                       XX  

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 132

 

 

      There is often confusion as to which suit to bid in response to partner’s Takeout Double, especially if holding a weak hand and both a 4-card Major suit in addition to a 5-card, or longer, Minor suit.   With a 4-card Major suit and a 5-card Minor suit, plus a hand too weak to jump or cue-bid, answer in the Major (Example 1).   With a 4-card Major suit and a 6-card, or longer, Minor suit, plus a hand too weak to jump or cue-bid, answer in the Minor (Example 2).

 

                    East      South      West      North (You)

 

                  1H      “Double”    Pass        ?????

 

   (1)  KXXX   XX   XX   QXXXX   (Respond 1S)

 

    (2)  KXXX   XX   X   QXXXXX   (Respond 2C – You can bid Spades later

                                  if given the opportunity.)  

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 131

 

       When responding to Partner’s Takeout Double in a suit, make a non-jump response with 0-8 HCP’s (implying game unlikely unless Doubler have substantially more HCP’s than a minimum opening count); make a non-forcing jump response with 9-11 HCP’s (implying Doubler’s side have the majority of HCP’s and is invitational to game); and make a cue-bid or bid game with 12 or more HCP’s (insuring a game contract).

 

               East      South      West      North (You)

 

                1H      “Double”    Pass        ?????

 

    (a)  AJXXX   QXX   QXX   XX (Bid 1S – Do not count the “Q” of Hearts. If the Queen of Hearts were the Queen of Clubs, then bid 2S.)

 

    (b)  AQXX   XXX   KXX   XXX (Bid 2S – even on a 4-card suit.)

 

    (c)  AXX   XX   AJXX   KJXX (Bid “2H” – Too strong for merely a jump response.)

 

    (d)  AXX   AX   KXXX   QJXX (Bid 3NT)

 

    (e)  AJXX   X   AXXX   KJXX (Bid 4S)      

 

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Bridge Tip # 130

 

 

Jump Cue-bids as overcall bids mean different things dependent upon whether they are in Minor or Major suits.

 

     A direct jump bid in the Opponent’s Minor suit is natural.  It shows an excellent   6-card or any 7-card suit with less than opening count and is essentially a Minor suit overcall.

 

      North     East (You)

 

       1D        ?          AX X KQXXXXX XXX (Bid 3D and let the Opponent’s sort out what to do.   They may not know that a Double by the Responder

                                              in this sequence is for Takeout.  Shhh! Don’t tell them!)  (Remember, had East overcalled “2D”,

                                              it would have been a Michael’s Cue-bid showing either a very weak or a very strong 5-5 or

                                              better in the Majors.)

 

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     A direct jump bid in the Opponent’s Major suit is not natural.   It shows 8 or 9 winners in your own hand, and asks Partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the Opener’s suit.

 

      North     East (You)

 

       1H        ?     AX XX KX AKQJXXX (Bid “3H”.  With a Heart stopper, Partner bids 3NT.  If East hears otherwise, he/she exists with his/her

                                                      own long suit, Clubs in this instance.)  

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 129

 

     When, and when not, to make a Takeout Double is important and sometimes confusing.    In general, the ideal distribution for a takeout Double is 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0 when you hold either a singleton or void in the Opponent’s bid suit.   Under these ideal circumstances, one can have as few as 10-11 HCP’s.   As ones distribution becomes less ideal, however, greater HCP strength is needed, and, at times, a Takeout Double is even ill advised.

 

     With 12-15 HCP’s , and 4-4 in the Major suits and 3-2 in the Minor suits, “Double” if the Opponent opens with a Minor

 

            KXXX AQXX XXX AX    (“Double” over 1C or 1D; “Pass” over 1H or 1S)

 

 

 

     With 16-18 HCP’s, and 4-4 in the Major suits, “Double” if the Opponent opens your short suit; otherwise overcall “1NT”.

 

            AJXX QJXX AQX KX    (“Double” over 1C; Bid “1NT” over 1D)

 

 

 

     With a 4-4-3-2 distribution that does not included two 4-card Major suits, and subsequent to the Opponent opening one of your 4-card suits:

     

           East     South (You)

 

      1H         ?   a) XX KJXX AKXX KXX (“Pass” with 14 or fewer HCP’s)     

                                         b) KX AQXX AJXX JXX (Bid “1NT” with exactly 15HCP’s)

               (If you have two stoppers in their suit; otherwise “Pass”)

                     c) KX AXXX AKXX QJX (Bid “1NT” with 16-18 HCP’s)

               (Plus a stopper in their suit)

                     d) KX QXXX AJX AKQJ (“Double” with 19+ HCP’s)

     

 

     It is too risky to make a Takeout double with a small doubleton in an unbid Major suit.   In order to successfully do so, one should hold 19 or more HCP’s.

 

      East     South (You)

 

       1C        ?   a) XX AQXX AJXX AJX (Overcall 1NT Directly)

               (You are not strong enough to double and then bid 1NT over

                 an anticipated Spade response)

                     b) XX AQXX AKJX AJX (“Double”! If partner bids 1S

                then rebid 1NT, showing 18 or more HCP’s)

 

     A Takeout double followed by a 1NT re-bid is stronger than overcalling 1NT directly. 

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 128

 

      Most Partnerships today utilize the “DON’T” Convention over an Opponent’s 1NT opening bid.   Often, however, subsequent to partner’s “DON’T” bid (either a one-suited “Double”, else the lower-ranking suit of a “Two-Suited Hand”), the partner of the opening 1NT will either bid his/her own suit, else double for penalties.   The partner of the one who invokes the “DON’T” bid should never have to guess what the unnamed suit be.   The only way to get the “DON’T” bidder to show his/her unnamed suit is to either “Double”, else “Redouble”.

 

     After one’s “DON’T” two-suited overcall and then a subsequent bid by the opponent, the meaning of Partner’s possible bids are as follows:

 

·        Pass = He/she is content to play the current contract.

·        Redouble (Over the Opponent’s Double) = He/she prefers to play in your second suit and wants you to bid it.

·        Double (of any natural or artificial bid) = He/she wants you to bid your second suit (This bid shows tolerance for all unbid suits).

·        Any Suit bid = Natural, showing his/her own long suit

 

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Bridge Tip # 127

 

     Under most circumstances, against a No Trump contract, when Partner has bid a suit, and/or no other lead looks more promising, the Partner on lead will lead from his/her Partner’s bid suit.     A singleton or the top of a doubleton, in Partner’s bid suit if held, low from three or more to any Q, K, or A, top of a sequence, or “the second highest, from three or more without a high honor.     Alternatively, if Partner has not bid any suit, the Partner on lead will lead forth from his/her longest and strongest suit, assuming that he/she has at least one outside entry to access his/her hand once the suit is, hopefully, established. 

 

     Other than these instances denoted above, certain specific leads ask Partner for a specific action.   They include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

 

1.      The lead of an Ace against a No Trump contract of a suit bid by the Partner on lead, asks Partner to dump his/her highest card.

 

2.      The lead of a King against a No Trump contract asks Partner for an attitude signal – a high card denotes encouragement, a low card discouragement.

 

3.      The lead of a Queen against a No Trump contract asks Partner to play the Jack or the Ace, if Partner holds same, so as to encourage a continuance by the leading Partner

                      should the leading Partner hold, specifically, either the KQ109 or KQ10XX.

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 126

 

      It is customarily accepted that when Partner opens with a weak 2-Bid, any new suit by Partner is forcing, and that a 2NT call by Responder is conventional (also forcing) asking for whatever description Opener has to relate to Partner based upon their mutual understanding.  Any Raise in Opener’s suit is, thus, not forcing.  

 

     Responder’s actions to the two above-mentioned forcing bids are thus based upon previous agreement.   There is, however, notwithstanding these conventional responses, one further important response for Opener to take in response to a “2NT” forcing response from Responder in one specific instance.

 

     In response to a forcing “2NT” conventional call from Responder, an Opener who has opened a weak 2-Bid and who holds AKQXXX or longer in his/her opening suit, must respond 3NT to Responder’s forcing “2NT” call.   Such a response specifically relates a 6-Card or longer suit by Opener headed by all three (3) top honors.

 

         You hold:      XX                    

                      AKQXXX                     

                      XX                  

                      XXX              

 

               North (You)              South (Partner)

 

                   2H                   “2NT” (Forcing)       

                  “3NT”

 

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Bridge Tip # 125

 

      When you have overcalled and Partner changes suits, denting support for your suit, do not re-bid your suit unless you have a strong 6-card holding.

 

                                                    East     South(You)     West     North

 

                           1H          1S         Pass      2D           

                          Pass        ????

 

 

   You Hold:  (a) AQXXX  XXX  X  AXXX

 

              (b) AQ10XXX  XXX  X  AXX

 

 

               With (a), pass!  Partner has denied Spade support and you do not have Diamonds.  Get out of the bidding while you can. 

         Partner’s 2D bid is not forcing.

 

    The only forcing bid Responder to any Overcaller can make is a cue-bid of the Opponent’s suit.  All other bids, whether support for Partner, or a new suit introduced, or a NT bid, are All not-forcing!

 

               With (b), bid 2S!   You have a strong 6-card suit.  Go for it! 

 

 

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Bridge Tip # 124

 

     When holding strong primary trump support for Partner’s suit, make a jump raise in Partner’s suit regardless of how weak you are on the outside.   This holds true whether Partner has overcalled, or be opening bidder.    Do not make a single raise.

 

 

                          West      North      East     South (You)   

     Example 1:            1H        1S     P/2C/2D/2H      ???

 

 

   You Hold:  AQ10XX  XX  XXX XXX   (Bid 3S, preemptive, regardless of

                                        what East does)

 

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