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Home , Hold up (bridge)

BETTER BIDDING by BERNARD MAGEE Let’s bid a few hands and see how easy bridge really is!

Layout 1 ♠ K Q 7 4 ♠ A J 8 5 3 Defence to ♥ 10 9 7 6 N ♥ AJ 4 A K 8 4 2 W E 7 ♦ S ♦ ♣ ♣ 9 8 4 2

Three-Level Auction (i) West East 1♦ 1♠ 3♠ 4♠ Pre-empts 1 End

Layout 2 n the last issue I dealt with pre- As I said in the last issue of BRIDGE, ♠ K Q 7 6 ♠ A 9 4 3 2 empting at the three-level, so it seems the aim of a pre-empt is to disrupt and ♥ Q 9 7 4 N ♥ K 2 only fair to explain how to deal with describe. A pre-emptive bid describes a ♦ A J 10 3 W E ♦ K 8 7 I S these annoying bids. In this issue we weak hand with a long suit and very ♣ 3 ♣ J 6 5 shall be looking at the possible actions little defence. What does this mean? that one player can take after an oppo- It means that, when they pre-empt, the nent’s pre-empt. Then, in the next issue opponents are telling you they cannot Auction (ii) of BRIDGE, we shall consider how best take many tricks against your contract! West East to respond to a partner who has made a So be aggressive – try very hard to get 1♥ 1♠ call over a pre-emptive opening. into the auction. 3♠ 4♠ The first thing to say is that you will Hand A above may be able to make six End not always get it right: every expert in the tricks in spades but it is most unlikely to world of bridge has done the wrong thing take a single defensive trick in any other Notice the lack of clubs and how you over a pre-empt and has had to pay the suit contract, as one of the opponents is make game on fewer values because of price. For the most part, pre-empts make likely to hold a singleton or void spade. the shortage. In auction (i) West might you guess; what is important is that your Hand B will take quite a few defensive have jumped straight to game or made a guess be an educated one, so that most tricks but that is precisely the reason 4♣ but, however you bid it, of the time you do the right thing. why you should not open it with a pre- you reach a comfortable game contract Let’s start by looking at two pros- emptive bid! on just 22 points. In auction (ii) once pective pre-empting hands to remind us again proper evaluation of his shortage of what a pre-empt shows: What’s allows West to reach an excellent game with just 23 points. our defensive system? As I am sure you have guessed, rather Hand A than being able to bid the hands slowly ♠ K Q J 10 9 6 4 1. Double is for take-out. and have an accurate auction, I am afraid ♥ 5 3 2. are natural. you will not have it so easy because ♦ 6 2 3. A 3NT says: “I want to South throws a spanner in the works by ♣ 7 4 play in 3NT!” opening 3♣. So, let’s look again; the 4. A bid of the opponent’s suit shows vulnerability is Love All: a strong two-suiter. Continued on page 11 ‹ This is an excellent pre-empt. because the hand has no defensive values. Boxed Set Hand B of Four ♠ J 10 9 6 5 3 2 Exclusive Pens ♥ K 6 4 ♦ K Q £23.50 3 Court Card ♣ From Designs Mail Order Service 01672 519219 Pass – too much in the way of defensive values for a pre-empt!

Page 9 BETTER BIDDING continued from page 9 Once again, however, the auctions will change somewhat if the opponents make a pre-emptive bid. This time it is North can count 15 points (adding 3 for his who opens 3♣. Layout 1 (repeated) singleton). It is important to remember there is ♠ K Q 7 4 ♠ A J 8 5 3 How can you be so bold? Well, look likely to be only one person who is very ♥ 10 9 7 6 N ♥ AJ 4 at the respective final contracts on short in the bid suit and thus the onus is A K 8 4 2 W E 7 ♦ S ♦ layouts 1 and 2, and you can see how on that player to try hard to make a call. ♣ Void ♣ 9 8 4 2 valuable the shortage in clubs is. If the player with the stronger hand holds a more balanced distribution, he will not What do you need be able to bid; both Easts in layouts 3 Auction 1 for a double? and 4 would not be able to call over West North East South North’s 3♣ opening. In layout 3 East 3♣ As usual for a take-out double, the most does have a strong hand but, if he dou- Dbl Pass 4♠ End important aspect is to have shortage in bles, the most likely response would be the opponent's bid suit, so that you have 3♦; then what would he do? It is very support for each of the unbid suits. Also, dangerous to start an auction inaccura- Layout 2 (repeated) you should have opening values: your tely at the four-level! In layout 4 East ♠ K Q 7 6 ♠ A 9 4 3 2 hand should be worth 15 points including would like to double for penalties, but ♥ Q 9 7 4 N ♥ K 2 shortage. And finally, it is also very his partner will not pass! You cannot A J 10 3 W E K 8 7 ♦ S ♦ important to be aggressive! change your system mid-deal just to suit ♣ 3 ♣ J 6 5 I like to add on 3 points for a singleton your hand. So the bidding would start: and 5 points for a void, so that I can afford to come in on some relatively West North East South Auction 2 weak hands. 3♣ Pass Pass West North East South ? 3♣ Bidding in the last seat Dbl Pass 4♠ End And it would be up to the two Wests to Layout 3 below is a typical one where decide what to do. Both auctions take the same course; the East-West can bid quite easily and com- Learning how to bid in the last seat West hand must make a take-out double fortably to game so long as the oppo- when your opponents have bid weakly and East, with good shape in layout 1 and nents don’t take up bidding space: is very important. There are two main extra values in layout 2, jumps to 4♠. factors to bear in mind: (a) where are all Notice the strength of the West hands the points? and (b) if you are short in and the need for them to take positive Layout 3 the opponent’s suit, then your partner is action. The main reason for their ability ♠ Q 4 2 ♠ A J 7 6 unlikely to be short too, and will there- to act is their shortage in clubs and thus ♥ A J 5 3 N ♥ K Q 8 2 fore find it difficult to call with as many Q 8 7 6 5 W E A4 the belief that they are almost gua- ♦ S ♦ as 16 or 17 points. ranteed to have a fit in one of their suits. ♣ 4 ♣ J 6 3 Basically the chances are that your Because of this, they can add points for partner has a reasonable hand and it is for their distribution (or count losers). So, this reason that when you are last to bid rather than just having 12 points, these Auction 3 (i.e. when your pass would end the bid- two hands are much stronger than that. West East ding) after a weak auction, you should In layout 1 the West hand can add 4 or 1♥ “borrow” a king from your partner’s hand 5 points for his void, taking his hand to 3♥ 4♥ and then see if you are worth a bid. Yes, 16-17 points – plenty of strength to enter End I mean it: you are trying to help your the auction! Even the West in layout 2 partner enter the auction by bidding for And on Layout 4 the auction would finish him and hence the need to borrow 3 in a simple 1NT contract: points. 2006 Bridge Players’ Let’s evaluate the two West hands in Wall Calendar layouts 3 and 4: Layout 4 ♠ Q 9 4 2 ♠ 7 6 5 West 3 9 points + 3 for his singleton 99 £7 ♥ Q J 4 3 N ♥ AK 2 + 3 for last bidder = 15 W E CODE BT01 A 7 5 3 6 4 2 ♦ S ♦ West 4 9 points + 3 for his singleton ♣ 4 ♣ A Q 10 5 + 3 for last bidder = 15

Both hands reach 15 points and with Auction 4 their excellent shape both Wests should West East certainly make a double. from the Mail Order Service 01672 519219 1NT The complete auctions would be: End Continued on page 13 ‹

Page 11 BETTER BIDDING continued from page 11 although your contract failed you made a handsome profit: you are 90 points better off than conceding -140. nents is a very good reason for trying Layout 3 (repeated) extra hard to make a bid when last to Overcalls ♠ Q 4 2 ♠ A J 7 6 call; another thing to bear in mind is ♥ A J 5 3 N ♥ K Q 8 2 that you do not necessarily have to Once again, the emphasis is on aggres- Q 8 7 6 5 W E A4 ♦ S ♦ make the contract you have reached to sion. It is important to bear in mind that ♣ 4 ♣ J 6 3 obtain a good score. your opponent has been bold enough to Consider the following deal: bid at the three-level with fewer than 10 points, so you should not be too worried West North East South about making aggressive overcalls. 3♣ Pass Pass Dealer: North. Love All. Generally when you are thinking of Dbl Pass 4♣1 Pass ♠ 4 2 making a call over a pre-empt you should 4♥ End ♥ A Q J 10 8 5 3 assume that your partner has about 8 1 Pick a major ♦ 5 4 points; bearing this in mind you should ♣ J 6 then contemplate your bid. ♠ K 10 8 5 ♠ Q J 7 6 What do you need for an overcall? Layout 4 (repeated) ♥ 6 N ♥ K 9 7 At the three level, an opening hand W E ♠ Q 9 4 2 ♠ 7 6 5 ♦ Q J 3 2 S ♦ 10 9 7 with a six-card suit fits the bill; at the ♥ Q J 4 3 N ♥ AK 2 ♣ A 8 5 4 ♣ K Q 2 four level it is more difficult to judge, but A 7 5 3 W E 6 4 2 A9 3 ♦ S ♦ ♠ remember to try to keep aggression in ♣ 4 ♣ A Q 10 5 ♥ 4 2 mind: once again, even if you go down ♦ A K 8 6 you might get a reasonable score. ♣ 10 9 7 3 For example: West North East South 3♣ Pass Pass Dbl End West North East South Layout 5 3♥ Pass Pass ♠ J 5 4 ♠ A3 The auction for layout 4 is a very impor- Dbl Pass 3♠ End ♥ A Q J 6 5 4 N ♥ K 9 2 7 W E 8 6 5 tant one, for it demonstrates the flexibili- ♦ S ♦ ty of your system. If West chooses to pass over 3♥, then ♣ A9 4 ♣ K Q 10 7 5 Since you are playing a take-out North-South will score +140, making double, you probably assumed that you nine easy trick: six hearts, the ace and could never penalise your opponents, but king of diamonds, and the ace of spades. The two hands in layout 5 should be able with aggressive doubling from the player However, we are made of sterner stuff to bid to game quite comfortably, but who is short in the opponent’s suit you and we make a take-out double: borrow- South opens 3♦ giving West a problem; can often achieve the best of both ing a king from our partner and taking with an opening hand and a good six-card worlds. On layout 4 West’s double is our singleton into account we have plenty suit, he makes a simple 3♥ overcall. Now asking his partner to bid his best suit, of strength (16 points). East responds East, with good heart support and an ope- but East is confident that 3♣ doubled 3♠ and that finishes the auction. ning hand of his own, can raise to game. will gain the best result for his side, so Unfortunately, South leads the ace On Layout 6 your unhelpful oppo- he passes. East will take at least three and king of diamonds, and can then give nent, South, opens 3♠: tricks to go with three outside his partner a diamond ; add to these tricks; two off is worth 300 points – a tricks the ace of hearts and ace of spades, lot better than a paltry 1NT contract! and the result is that 3♠ goes one off. Layout 6 Helping partner penalise the oppo- However, that costs just 50 points so ♠ 7 ♠ J 8 4 ♥ A K 10 9 5 4 N ♥ J 2 A K 4 3 W E 9 6 5 ♦ S ♦ David Westnedge Twin-Packed Boxed Cards ♣ 7 2 ♣ A K J 4 3 Royal Crowns Ornament My Fair Lady West is put under severe pressure by South’s opening bid; he has to make a decision now and all by himself. He needs a fair amount of help to make game, but two red-suit queens would be enough – yes, that would be 4 perfect points, but considering you are allowed to hope for 8 points in partner’s hand it is not unreaso- £12.95 each from the Mail Order Service 01672 519219 nable to go for game. Continued on page 15 ‹

Page 13 BETTER BIDDING continued from page 13 SALE BRIDGE PLUS PRACTICE Remember that even if 4♥ goes down a take-out double, your partner is likely you might get a better score than letting to respond 4♦ leaving you high and dry. SERIES 3♠ make – if you keep this in mind you Yes, 3NT has its risks! North will lead might find more courage for four-level a spade and although you can hold up CODE TITLE overcalls. your ace, if South holds the ace of clubs along with his long spade suit, you will BS01 Asptro The 3NT Overcall finish three off. However, you would be BS03 Benjamin Two Bids unlucky if this did happen; more likely, If you think that bidding at the four level you will win the second spade and find BS04 Bidding 4-4-4-1 Hands by yourself is risky, then overcalling North with the ace of clubs. Left without BS05 Blocking & Unblocking with 3NT is ten times more so – the a spade he will have to allow you back problem being that if you get it wrong, in to take your nine tricks. BS07 Crowhurst 2 you tend to go a long way off! Pre-emptive opening bids make you BS09 Declarer Play in 1NT Given that you are allowed to allot guess and all you can do is try to get to your partner about 8 points when deci- the most likely contract – you have to BS10 Defence ding whether to bid over a three-level accept that things will occasionally go against Pre-empts pre-empt, you should be considering a wrong. BS13 Doubling 3NT overcall with 17 or more points and a stopper in the opponent’s suit. Strong two-suiters BS14 Dummy Reversal You would love to have more than BS15 Terms one stopper, but the dealer might not be If you want to show a very strong two- that kind and so you will often have to suiter, then you bid the opponent’s suit: BS16 Elimination Play risk a 3NT overcall with just one stopper. BS19 Here is a simple example: Hand C BS20 Hold-up Play A K 9 6 5 ♠ BS21 Layout 7 ♥ A K 8 6 4 ♠ A4 2 ♠ 7 6 ♦ A2 BS22 ♥ K Q 3 N ♥ A 10 4 ♣ 3 BS23 Losing Trick Count Q 8 W E A 9 5 4 2 ♦ S ♦ ♣ K Q J 9 4 ♣ 10 6 3 BS24 Multi 2 This hand is ideally suited to a bid of the BS27 Overcalls opponent’s suit; over a 3♦ opening bid South opens 3♠ and West, who has a you would call 4♦, aiming for a game BS28 Pre-emptive Bidding very good hand, has a problem. If asked contract in either major. BS29 Re-opening & to pick the most likely game contract looking at the West hand, which one Watch this space! BS30 Bidding would you choose? BS31 RKC Blackwood Only the player who has the stop can In the next issue we shall consider how bid 3NT, so it is no good hoping that your to respond to the defensive bidding dis- BS32 Ruffing partner will bid it for you. If you make cussed in this article. BS35 Splinter Bids BS38 Suit Combinations DUPLICATE BRIDGE BOARDS BS39 Switching BS40 Transfer Bidding Stickers included. Cards not included BS42 Trump Coups 1-8 set. £22.50 BS43 Two-suited Overcalls 1-16 set. £37.50 BS45 Wriggle

BIDDING BUDDY TO CLEAR only Packs into a compact space. Ideal for use at home. Booklets of £10 £7.50 each. 4 for £28.95 5 your choice Available from the Mail Order Service 01672 519219 from the Mail Order Service 01672 519219

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