English Bridge

Useful Conventions by S

Roman Key-Card N O I T N E

Blackwood V N O C

L IN this series, we will look at several responder also reveals whether he holds the U

conventions that have been embraced queen of trumps, the final im portant card F both by the expert community and also by when bidding good slams. E aspiring players looking to develop their S bidding accuracy. The first of these is a How does the 4NT bidder proceed? David Bakhshi U variation on the , which utilises a bid of 4NT to ask partner While it may seem that having either/or how many aces he holds, to ensure that the responses will be confusing to the 4NT 1 RKCB with spades as trumps; 2 1 or 4 key cards; partnership does not attempt to bid a slam bidder, it will often be the case that he 3 Asking for the spade queen; 4 ♠Q + ♣K. when missing two aces. The traditional will know how many key cards his responses to the Blackwood 4NT enquiry partner has as a result of the number of Asking for kings are: 5 ♣ = 0 or 4 aces; 5 ♦ = 1 ace; 5 ♥ = 2 key cards he possesses himself. If two key aces; 5 ♠ = 3 aces. cards are missing, the enquirer will simply Can the enquirer still ask for kings when sign off by returning to the suit at interested in a grand slam? Why have variations developed? the five level. When the partner ship is As with regular Blackwood, the enquirer missing just one key card, he will still be can ask for kings by asking for key cards How many times have you bid a slam that interested in slam; now the enquirer first, then following up with a bid of 5NT. failed having found out that your part - should consider whether there is a This confirms that the partnership has all nership is only missing one ace? The most danger of losing to the queen of trumps. five key cards and asks for kings excluding likely reasons for such slam contracts to be However, following a response of 5 ♣/5 ♦ the king of trumps. The two most common defeated are unavoidable losers in the the enquirer will not know whether his ways to respond are to bid the cheapest trump suit. For example, holding: partner also holds the trump queen. The king in the same way that the responder ♠ Axxx ♥ KQJxx ♦ x ♣ KQx solution is for the RKCB bidder to follow shows a king when responding positively it would be reasonable to respond 4NT if up with a second enquiry. This is achieved to the trump queen enquiry, or to show partner opens 1 ♠ and then bid 6 ♠ if the by bidding the next suit up (excluding the number of kings, as follows: opener shows two aces by bidding 5 ♥. the trump suit). Thus after a 5 ♣ response, 6♣ = 0 Kings However, if the opener has: a bid of 5 ♦ asks for the trump queen (5 ♥ 6♦ = 1 King ♠ Jxxx ♥ Ax ♦ AKQx ♣ Jxx if diamonds are trumps). The responder 6♥ = 2 Kings the chances of losing just one trump trick returns to the trump suit at the lowest 6♠ = 3 Kings will be very small. Thus it is useful to level without the queen, and bids the incorporate information regarding trump trump suit with a jump when holding quality, rather than simply showing the the queen. In summary: number of aces held by the responder to a Note: when confident of the initial prin - Blackwood enquiry. ciples, a further twist is for the responder to 1. When the partnership have bid the cheapest suit in which he holds the found a fit, a bid of 4NT is an How do the responses differ king when making a positive response to enquiry relating to the five key when playing RKCB? the trump queen enquiry. For example: cards – the and the king of trumps. Roman Key-Card Blackwood is the brain - 2. Following a 5 ♣/5 ♦ response, a child of Eddie Kantar (one of USA’s best ♠ A Q 6 3 ♠ K 7 5 4 2 bid of the next suit (excluding player/teachers), who came up with the ♥ K J 5 3 2 N ♥ A trumps) asks for the remaining W E idea that the 4NT enquiry should ask for ♦ 4 S ♦ A 6 important card – the queen of the five ‘key cards’: the four aces and the ♣ K 7 2 ♣ A Q J 5 3 trumps. king of trumps. The responses are: 3. A bid of 5NT (which has been 5♣ = 0 or 3 key cards. preceded by a 4NT enquiry) 5♦ = 1 or 4 key cards. West East confirms the partnership has all 5♥ = 2 key cards without the trump 1♥ 1♠ five key cards and asks about queen. 3♠ 4NT 1 kings in case a grand slam can be 5♠ = 2 key cards with the trump queen. 5♦2 5♥3 made. r Note that when holding two key cards, the 6♣4 7♠

www.ebu.co.uk December 2008 English Bridge 13 S N O

Splinter I T N E V

bids N O C

OUR second convention is a tool which Can the opener make L allows for greater accuracy when judging Splinter bids? U F

whether to bid towards slam with minimal E values. When seeking to bid low point Splinters can also be S count slams, it is important to determine Hand B employed by the David Bakhshi U whether the partnership’s hands are fitting ♠ A Q 4 3 opener, and typically together well. The key to this often lies in ♥ K Q 7 involve a double jump the ability to judge whether a player’s short ♦ 2 in a new suit. Holding Thus, it is generally the case that one suit holdings are going to either generate ♣ A Q 8 3 2 Hand B, the opener should be encouraged by length and/or extra tricks by ruffing or reduce the would bid 1 ♣ and fol - possession of the ace in the Splinter suit, number of losers held in the short suit. lowing a 1 ♠ res ponse while being discouraged by shortage and/ could just raise to 4 ♠. However, it would or possession of the king, queen and jack How can this be achieved? be better to show a raise with short in the Splinter suit. diamonds, so he rebids 4 ♦, a double jump Here is an example of Splinters in action: While it is helpful to in a new suit, allowing responder to assess Hand A count points when if the partnership should try for slam. ♠ K 7 4 supporting partner ♠ K J 5 3 ♠ A Q 8 6 2 ♥ A Q 6 5 with a , Do Splinters always involve ♥ 5 N ♥ A 7 6 4 W E ♦ K 8 4 3 2 it is usually advisable a double jump? ♦ A Q 7 6 3 S ♦ K J 5 ♣ 7 to be bolder with ♣ J 7 6 ♣ 3 unbalanced hands. While a double jump is often needed This is especially true when agreeing a suit, only a single jump is when supporting to the game level. For necessary once a suit has been agreed, i.e. West East example, partner opens 1 ♥ and res ponder 1♥ – 2 ♥ – 4 ♣. Also, it is worth noting 1♦ 1 ♠ holds a hand such as Hand A. Without any that any jump to the four level should be 2♠1 4♣2 conven tional tools, the res ponder could treated as a Splinter, e.g, 1 ♠ – 2 ♥ – 4 ♦. 4NT 3 5♠4 either bid 4 ♥ (leaving part ner to guess This should be logical, as the opener could 6♠ All Pass whether the 4 ♥ bid is based on high cards simply bid 3 ♦ with a non-minimum hand, 1 Not strong enough to Splinter or just dis tributional values), 2 ♦ (hoping and can only afford to go beyond 3NT 2 Splinter to make a ‘Delayed Game Raise’ – a when confident that the partnership already 3 Roman Key-Card Blackwood treatment which is no longer particularly have a fit. Lastly, a single jump in an oppo - 4 Two key cards and the ♠Q fashionable), or 4NT Roman Key-Card nent’s suit should also be treated as a Blackwood (gam b ling that the hands will Splinter. Again this should make sense, as have a play for slam if opener has at least a principle of Splinters is that the Splinter In summary: three key cards). However, it would clearly bid should not take the partnership beyond be better to be able to show a hand with game, but merely allow partner to decide • A typically involves a the values for game with primary support whether to go that step further. double jump in a new suit, and and a short age (singleton or ) in clubs shows at least four-card support – the essence of a Splinter bid. How does one evaluate one’s and values for game, as well as a hand opposite a Splinter? shortage in the suit bid. How can a Splinter be • Only a single jump is necessary once recognised? When partner makes a Splinter bid, an a suit has been agreed, if a double effective approach is to consider the impact jump would take the partnership Let us first consider Splinter bids by the of knowing that partner has at most one beyond game, or when jumping in responder. In this case, a Splinter is card in the suit bid. Thus A-x-x should the oppo nents’ suit. defined as a double jump in a new suit. be considered a very good hold ing as two • When evaluating opposite a Splinter Thus, holding Hand A, the responder potential losers have effectively been re - bid, be bold with length and/or would bid 4 ♣ (note: with a singleton duced to none, while K-Q-x would be a bad the ace of the Splinter suit, but be spade, the response would be 3 ♠). Having holding as there is still one loser and the five cautious with shortage and/or the fully described his hand type and values, points held in that suit could be used more king, queen or jack of the Splinter he would now expect the opener to judge effectively in any of the suits in which the suit. r whether to bid towards slam. Splinter bidder has length.

www.ebu.co.uk February 2009 English Bridge 11 S N O

Trial I T N E V

bids N O C

THIS month we shall look at another way will be looking for his partner to either L of judging whether your hand and partner increase the number of winners or reduce U F

fit well enough to bid low point-count the number of losers in that suit. Thus, an E games and slams. As with Splinters, this effective way to evaluate is for responder S tool will be useful when seeking to evaluate to assess how many ‘losing tricks’ are held David Bakhshi U unbalanced hands. in the trial bid suit. A holding such as x-x-x will neither increase winners nor decrease What is a Trial Bid? losers and is therefore a very bad holding, while A-x is bound to have a positive ♠ K 6 ♠ A 8 A ‘Trial Bid’ is a length-showing bid which effect. In essence then, three losers is very ♥ A J 7 5 N ♥ K Q 10 6 3 W E allows the partnership to assess whether bad (sign-off), while at most one loser is ♦ A 8 5 3 2 S ♦ 9 holdings in a non-trump suit will positi- great (cooperate). ♣ K 8 ♣ Q J 6 5 3 vely affect the side’s trick-taking potential. A player making a trial bid will have at Trial Bidding for game least three cards in the suit bid and his West East partner will be expected to evaluate his It should be noted that there are subtle 1♦ 1♥ holding in this suit for the purposes of differences between trial bidding for game 3♥ 4♣1 bidding towards game or slam. This can be and trial bidding for slam. Opposite the 4NT 2 5♠3 contrasted with ‘Splinter’ bids (see Feb- former, responder should either sign-off 6♥ Pass ruary 2009) which help the partnership to (three losers) or bid game (one loser). 1 Trial bid judge whether short-suit holdings are going With two losers he should look at the 2 Roman Key-Card Blackwood to work to its advantage. additional factor of trump suit quality – 3 Two key cards plus the ♥Q the number of cards held relative to the How can a Trial Bid number promised and also the possession With only 27 points, the partnership would be recognised? of a top honour (A-K-Q). usually expect to play in game, but as - suming that no early club is conceded, A trial bid is defined as the first bid in a Trial Bidding for slam then the slam can be made due to the ability new suit following suit agreement, e.g. 1 ♥ to make use of the club side suit. – 2 ♥ – 3 ♣. Unlike splinters, trial bids Opposite an explicit trial bid for slam, never involve a jump. Depending on the similar considerations apply, but high- level at which you are bidding, a trial bid card holdings are usually more valuable In summary: consults partner about the prospects of than shortages, as the key to low point- bidding game and/or slam. Thus, 1 ♥ – 2 ♥ count slams with two-suited hands often • A trial bid is the first bid in a new – 3 ♣ is initially assumed to be a trial bid lies in the ability to establish the second long suit following suit agreement, and for game, but can be the first move suit. Hence A-x is generally more powerful always occurs at the lowest level. towards slam, while 1 ♥ – 3 ♥ – 4 ♣ is a than a small singleton, and Q-x is typically • A trial bidder shows length and a trial bid for slam, as the 4 ♣ bid has more useful than x-x despite being equi - potential source of losers, effectively already committed the partnership to valent holdings in terms of the number of asking for help to increase winners bidding game. losers. or reduce losers in the suit bid. With three losers, or two losers and • Opposite a trial bid for game, the How does one evaluate holdings bad trumps, the responder should sign- responder should sign-off with in the Trial Bid suit? off. With one loser, or two losers and three losers, or two losers with bad good trumps, he should be bold. Positive trumps. With one loser, or two When responding to a trial bid, the key is actions include jumping to slam, bidding losers and good trumps, he should to evaluate the holding in the trial bid suit. 4NT (RKCB), or making an ace-showing bid game. A trial bidder will typically have length cue-bid – a topic we shall explore next • Opposite a trial bid for slam, the and some degree of weakness in the suit time. responder should bid towards slam he has bid, e.g. A-x-x-x or K-J-x-x-x. He Here is an example of trial bids in action: with one loser, or two losers and good trumps. Bear in mind that high-card holdings are generally SCHAPIRO SPRING FOURSOMES – May 1-5 2009 more useful than shortages. r

www.ebu.co.uk April 2009 English Bridge 11 S N O

Ace-showing I T N E V N

cue-bids O C

L U F

IN this article I will discuss a treatment nuing an exchange of information when E which is useful when developing auctions either player feels it is not appro priate to ask S in which at least one member of the part - for key cards (via Roman Key-Card Black - David Bakhshi U ner ship has some interest in looking for a wood). This will either be because it is not slam. My approach is aimed at players who clear whether the partner ship should bid have not used cue-bids before, and wish to beyond game, or alterna tively due to the West East continue using other slam-going methods possession of a suit hold ing which will be 1™ 3´1 covered in this series so far. awkward when using RKCB. These include 4®2 4t2 suits with no control (two or more cards 4´2 4NT 3 What is an ace-showing cue-bid? missing the ace and king), and suits with no 5®4 5t5 cards (voids). 6™6 Pass While the term ‘cue-bid’ is used in several 1 Splinter; 2 Ace-showing cue-bid; different contexts, ‘ace-showing cue-bids’ How can an ace-showing 3 RKCB; 4 0 or 3 key cards; are control-showing bids which may be cue-bid be recognised? 5 ™Q ask; 6 ™Q, no side kings. used to help the partnership to assess the prospects of a slam. Either player may bid a As stated earlier, ace-showing cue-bids most Following the 3 ´ Splinter, the opener has a suit in which he has the ace (or occasionally commonly occur following a splinter or a great holding in the splinter suit, but having a void), until the decision can be made to trial bid, when it is often the case that two small diamonds cannot afford to bid commit the bidding beyond game. there will be a desire to cooperate without 4NT in case the responder holds neither the wishing to take control. Ace-showing cue- ace nor the king of diamonds. So he makes What is the difference between a bids tend to occur at the four level and a cooperative bid of 4 ®. The responder now splinter bid, a trial bid and above, and indicate a positive response to knows that the opener is interested in slam an ace-showing ? partner’s splinter or trial bid. It therefore but either lacks the values to bid 4NT or has follows that ace-showing cue-bids can only a suit which he is worried about. He Just like splinter bids (see English Bridge, be made in suits which have not been agreed continues the exchange of information by Feb ru ary 2009) and trial bids (see English as a trump suit, since a return to the trump showing the diamond ace. At this point, Bridge, April 2009), ace-showing cue-bids suit is a negative continuation following a opener can either bid 4 ™ (with nothing are a useful method when assessing whether splinter or a trial bid. further to say), 4NT, or 4 ´ (showing the ace a partner ship has good trumps and a source of spades). With no minor-suit kings, he of tricks. In order to distin guish which bid How should one continue does best to bid 4 ´, at which point is which, the following scheme is helpful. following an ace-showing cue-bid? responder can take control and bid 4NT, Once a trump suit has been agreed: leading to a small slam on minimal values. 1. Splinter bids show shortage. They are Since ace-showing cue-bids show positive usually made on a double jump. slam interest, they will often be followed 2. A trial bid is the first bid in a new suit by another positive move towards slam. In summary: following suit agreement, and always So, the next player will either show the ace • An ace Showing cue-bid is a way of occurs at the lowest level. Trial bid - of another (non-trump) suit, jump to continuing a conversation about ding for slam aims at finding out slam, or, most commonly, bid 4NT (RKCB). slam prospects without having to which positive assets (if any) partner With nothing further to add, the most bid beyond game. holds in the suit bid. negative bid will simply be a return to the • It is a useful tool when faced with 3. Ace-showing cue-bids typically occur trump suit at the lowest level. holdings which are not ideal for as a positive continuation following a Here is an example of ace-showing cue- RKCB, i.e. voids and suits without splinter or a trial bid. bids in action: first or second round control. • Ace-showing cue-bids typically oc - When is it useful to make cur as a positive continuation fol- an ace-showing cue-bid? ´ A 7 6 ´ 4 lowing a splinter or a trial bid. ™ K Q 8 7 5 2 N ™ A J 9 3 They can only be made in suits W E • Ace-showing cue-bids tend to be used once t 6 3 S t A 8 7 5 2 which have not been agreed as the the partnership has decided to ex plore for ® A 7 ® K 6 2 trump suit. r slam. They are an effective way of con ti -

www.ebu.co.uk August 2009 English Bridge 17 S N O

The Jacoby 2NT I T N E V N

convention O C

L U F E

THIS month’s convention, which shows a How does opener continue S flat hand with support for opener’s major after responder has bid 2NT? David Bakhshi U suit, was the idea of one of the most famous bridge players of all time – the Whilst the original structure suggested by American star, . Though it Jacoby is still popular in the United States, West East has achieved greater popularity across the there are now many variations in use across 1™ 2NT 1 Atlantic, an increasing number of Euro - the world. I am therefore going to focus on 4t2 4NT 3 peans now employ this very useful tool. a scheme of continuations that has gene - 5®4 5t5 rally been adopted in this country. Once the 6™6 End When is the Jacoby 2NT useful? responder bids 2NT, the partner ship is committed to bidding to game, and thus 1 Jacoby 2NT One of the areas that is particularly turns its attention to the possibility of bid - 2 Splinter bid awkward for standard bidding involves ding for slam. It is therefore important for 3 Roman Key-Card Blackwood hands that wish to raise to at least game, the opener to describe whether he has any 4 0 or 3 key cards but do not contain a singleton or void slam interest, and if so, the type of hand that 5 Do you have the ™Q? (with a shortage, responder can make a he holds. As we have seen pre viously, know - 6 Yes, I have the ™Q but no side kings Splinter Bid). The Jacoby 2NT provides a ledge of a second potential source of tricks, solution to this problem by replacing a or a side-suit shortage, are often the key to With a non-minimum hand and the relatively infrequent natural bid with a bid ding good slams. ability to cooperate in a slam venture, the more useful artificial meaning. . A typical scheme following the bidding opener makes a splinter bid of 4 t. This principles that we have been using is as bid transforms the responder’s hand from Can one afford to give up follows: a minimum game-force to a hand with a natural 2NT response? huge slam potential. He thus continues • A jump to game in our agreed with a bid of 4NT, leading to a relatively Though it used to be considered reason- major shows a minimum hand low point count small slam. able to respond with a natural 2NT res- with no slam interest, with all other ponse to a 1 ™/1 ´ opening, modern bid - bids showing a non-minimum with ding principles involve the idea that the some degree of enthusiasm for in - In summary: responder should strain to bid a ‘suit to a ves tigating slam. suit’ where possible. Thus, the responder • A 3NT rebid shows a balanced • A natural 2NT response to an will initially prefer to bid a new (four-card) hand (15-19). opening bid of 1 ™/1 ´ is relatively suit with sufficient strength to bid at the • A new suit at the lowest level is a clumsy, and can be better utilised two level (weaker hands will still bid 1NT Trial Bid (for slam). to show a game-forcing hand with whether or not the partnership use 2NT as • A jump in a new suit is a splinter. at least four-card support for ope - a Jacoby raise). If a fit has not been found • A rebid of the agreed major at the ner’s suit. This also has the effect of following the opener’s rebid, then the three level shows a non-minimum removing the ambiguity of a direct responder may follow up with a 2NT bid hand unsuitable for any other des - raise to 4 ™/4 ´, which now be - to show invitational values. crip tive call, and is typically consis - comes a more pre-emptive raise. tent with a six-card suit. • Following a Jacoby raise, the opener should seek to describe his YOUNG CHELSEA Here is an example of the Jacoby 2NT in hand further with slam interest action: and sign off in four of the agreed ONE OF THE WORLD’S major with a minimum hand. GREAT BRIDGE CLUBS • With a non-minimum, the opener Duplicate every weekday evening ´ A 6 3 ´ K Q 5 can bid a new suit at the lowest ™ K Q 7 5 4 2 N ™ A 8 6 3 level with a length holding (trial ( 020 7373 1665 W E t 7 S t J 8 6 2 bid), or show a shortage holding by www.ycbc.co.uk ® A 8 5 ® K 3 jumping in a new suit (splinter). r

www.ebu.co.uk October 2009 English Bridge 19 S N O

The Stayman I T N E V N

response O C

L U F E

THIS month we turn our attention to with long clubs). S methods which are commonly employed 2. With an invitational hand he bids David Bakhshi U when responding to an opening bid of 2NT. 1NT. We will begin by exploring one of the 3. With a game-going hand, he bids best known conventions played around three of his longer major (5/4 in the Can Stayman be used after the world: Stayman. For the purpose of majors), or 3NT. intervention? this article I shall assume that other Opener bids 2 ™/2 ´: responses to 1NT are natural. 1. Responder either passes or bids 3 ® Once an opponent partner’s 1NT with a weak hand. opening, Stayman no longer applies. How - Why is Stayman useful? 2. With a fit for opener’s major, he ever, it can still be important to locate a 4-4 raises to 3M (invitational), or 4M fit in an unbid major. The most common When seeking to bid towards game, it is (game values). way to achieve this is to play that a cue-bid important to explore fully the possibility 3. With no fit for opener’s major, he of the opponents’ suit acts as Stayman (this of playing in 3NT or 4 ™/4 ´. When partner rebids 2NT (invitational) or 3NT is especially true if the partnership play that opens 1NT, it is therefore useful to max - (game values). responder’s double is for penalties). imise our chances of finding eight-card major-suit fits. When the res ponder has at Once the opener bids 2M, it is worth noting Is Stayman only useful least five cards in his major, he can freely that the responder’s no-trump rebid denies after an opening bid of 1NT? introduce his own suit. However, finding a a fit for opener’s major, and thus implies a fit when both players have four cards in the four-card holding in the unbid major. So if Stayman can also be used after an opening same suit is less straightforward. opener had bid 2 ™, he will bid 3 ´/4 ´ over bid of 2NT, or a rebid of 2NT after a 2 ® 2NT/3NT if he has four spades. opening. Two further sequences when How does it work? Stayman is helpful are after we make an What happens next? of 1NT over an opponent’s one- The solution is to a natural bid, level opening bid, or 2NT over an and replace it with a conventional asking Once a fit has been found, the opener will opponent’s . bid. Following an opening of 1NT, the only bid again if accepting an invita tional most efficient call to replace is 2 ®. Thus a raise to 3M. With no explicit fit, the opener 2® response becomes an enquiry, asking can accept an invitational raise (either in In summary: the opener if he holds a four-card major. no-trump or spades), or he can convert a The opener then has three possible replies: raise to 3NT to four of the other major. • Following an opening bid or 2t = no four card major. Here is an example of Stayman in action: overcall of 1NT (or 2NT), a 2 ® (or 2™ = four hearts (and maybe four 3®) response asks opener whether spades). he holds a four-card major. 2´ = four spades (and not four hearts). ´ K Q 6 3 ´ A J 9 5 • The opener has three possible rebids: ™ A J 7 4 N ™ 6 3 2t with no four-card major, 2 ™ W E How does the responder t A 7 6 S t K Q J 2 with four hearts, or 2 ´ with four continue? ® 5 2 ® 8 7 3 spades (and not four hearts). • After a 2 t rebid, the responder bids With weak hands (no interest in game), 2M/3 ®/Pass with weak hands, 2NT the responder takes the bidding no higher West East with an invitational hand or than 2 ´ (unless he has long clubs, see 1NT 2®1 3M/3NT with the values for game. below). When holding a hand that is 2™2 2NT 3 • After a 2M rebid, the responder invitational or better, he bids at least 2NT. 4´4 Pass passes or bids 3 ® with a weak hand. Opener bids 2 t: 1 Stayman With in vi tational/game values, he 1. With no interest in game, responder 2 Four hearts and maybe four spades raises with a fit, or returns to no- passes (4-4-5-0 type hand), bids two 3 Invitational (not four hearts, so has trump (with four cards in the unbid of his longer major (5/4+ in the spades) major). r majors), or rebids 3 ® (weak hand 3 Maximum with four spades

www.ebu.co.uk December 2009 English Bridge 23 S N O

Transfers Part I: I T N E V N

Major suits O C

L U F

LAST time we looked at Stayman, a con - hand with at least four-card support. E vention used to find 4-4 major-suit fits S after partner has opened 1NT. We are now How does responder continue? David Bakhshi U going to consider a method which allows responder to look for fits when he has at With a weak hand (no interest in game), least five cards in his longest suit. Outlining the responder will pass at his next turn. Stayman, then a useful agreement to adopt this method will take two articles, the first When holding a hand that is invitational is that the sequence 1NT –2t –2™ –2´ on major suits, the second on minor suits. or better, his second bid describes the shows an invitational hand with at least five nature of his hand and also his strength. hearts and five spades, while the sequence Why are transfers useful? Let us consider the responder’s continu - 1NT-2 ™-2 ´-3 ™ shows a game-forcin g hand a tions after a transfer bid of 2 t (showing with at least five hearts and five spades. The standard methods learned when begin - five or more hearts), and a 2 ™ rebid by ning to play bridge are relatively inefficient opener: Can responder show slam when you hold a five card major in res - 1. With no interest in game, responder interest when holding six or ponse to partner’s 1NT opening bid. If the passes. more cards in his major? responder has a weak hand, and removes 2. With a balanced hand (5-3-3-2), he to his longest suit (at the two level), he bids 2NT with an invitational hand, Once transfers have been adopted, imme- ends up being the declarer with the disad - 3NT with the values for game, 4NT diate bids of 3 ™ or 3 ´ with only five cards vantage of the stronger hand being visible with an invitational raise to slam, or are no longer necessary, so they can be used as dummy. When the responder has invi - 5NT to offer a choice of slams. to show hands with slam interest. These ta tional or better values, however, he is no 3. With an unbalanced hand with six or responses show at least six cards, and invite better placed, as he either has to raise no- more cards in his major, he repeats the opener to cue-bid with a suitable hand. trumps (suppressing his major), bid Stay - his suit at the three level with an They may also be the prelude to a 4NT man (thereby only finding 5-4 fits), or invitational hand, or at the four level (RKCB) continuation by responder. A jump to 3 ™/3 ´ (offering a choice of 3NT with the values for game. further twist is to make use of a jump in a or 4 ™/4 ´ depending on whether opener 4. With an unbalanced hand containing new suit following a transfer. For example, has at least three card support for res - a second suit of at least four cards, he after 1NT –2t –2™, a bid of 3 ® shows at ponder’s major). bids his second suit to offer a choice. least four clubs, so a jump to 4 ® can be used The advantage of playing transfers is Partnerships should agree whether as a Splinter bid show ing at least six cards in that the responder is able to reveal that he this second suit bid is forcing for one responder’s major (hearts), a singleton or has a five-card (or longer) major at the two round, or forcing to game, with the void in the Splinter suit (clubs) and an level, while crucially retaining the option latter being the most straightforward interest in bidding towards slam. of making a further bid towards game or approach. Here is an example of transfers in action: slam. There is also the side benefit of allowing the opener to become declarer. What happens next? ´ K J 4 ´ A Q 9 8 3 How do transfers work? When responder has rebid no-trumps, or ™ 7 5 N ™ J 8 2 W E raised to three of his major, opener is t A Q 8 6 S t K J 3 Following an opening bid of 1NT, the invited to choose the final contract. If res - ® A 9 6 3 ® 5 4 responder bids the suit below the major in ponder bids a second suit, opener is ex pect - which he holds at least five cards. Thus, a ed to return to partner’s major with a fit, response of 2 t shows five or more hearts, raise the second suit, or bid 3NT. If the West East while a response of 2 ™ shows five or more partnership play respond er’s second suit 1NT 2™1 spades. The opener typically ‘completes’ as game forcing, then the opener can bid 2´2 2NT 3 the transfer by bidding two of the suit that three of responder’s major to show interest 4´4 Pass the responder has shown, thereby trans - in cooperating towards a potential slam, 1 Five or more spades. ferring declarership should responder’s suit and four of res ponder’s major with an 2 Lacking the four-card support needed to become trumps. However, opener can also unsuitable hand for slam purposes. jump to 3 ´, though maximum. ‘break’ the transfer by jumping to three of Also, assuming that the partnership 3 Invitational; five spades exactly. responder’s major if holding a max imum show hands with 5-4 in the majors via 4 Maximum with spade support. r

www.ebu.co.uk February 2010 English Bridge 25 S N

O Transfers Part II: I T N E V

N Minor suits O C

L U F E

S 2. Hands which are invitational to game. How does responder continue U David Bakhshi 3. Hands which are interested in slam following a minor-suit transfer? and contain a second suit. With a weak hand, responder intends to IN the last issue I looked at the use of Note: a direct jump to 3 ® or 3 t is retained play in his suit at the three level, so in the transfers in response to an opening bid of for single-suited hands with slam interest, case of diamonds, he passes if opener has 1NT to show a . Now let’s look at while hands that are only inte r ested in bid (the positive) 3 t, or converts (the their use when your longest suit is a minor. reaching the best game can start with Stay - negative) 3 ® to 3 t. With an invitational man and then follow up with a bid of 3 ® hand, responder will bid 3 t over 3 ®, and How should one use responses or 3 t over the opener’s response. This is convert 3 t to 3NT, and with a slam-going of 2 ´ and 2NT when playing now a forcing sequence since responder hand, responder will tend to introduce his transfers? can sign-off via a transfer when holding a second suit. weak hand. Given that the responder can show a hand The use of transfers in this way raises a ‘Non-promissory’ Stayman containing five or more spades by respond - few issues for the partnership to discuss. ing 2 ™, the partner ship now have a bid For example, following a transfer to clubs, The main disadvantage of this method is available which no longer needs its natural opener can distinguish between positive the loss of a natural raise to 2NT. This can meaning, i.e. 2 ´. or negative hands for clubs by bidding be remedied by using Stay man. This is There are several meanings that one 2NT or 3 ®. Similarly, after a 2NT res - what is meant by the term ‘non-promis sory might attach to a 2 ´ response, with the ponse, opener can differentiate between Stayman’ . Consider Hands B and C: expert community having no clear agree - positive or negative hands for diamonds ment as to the best use for this extra bid. by bidding 3 ® or 3 t. The partnership can Some partnerships prefer to focus on deal - therefore agree that opener can differ en- Hand B Hand C ing with long minor suits, while others try tiate between different hand types. ´ Q 7 4 ´ Q 7 4 2 to focus on more balanced hand types Con si der Hand A: ™ 8 6 ™ 8 6 which lack an interest in the majors if opener has the ace Hand A t K J 9 5 t K J 9 5 (where Stayman can be used). In this of diamonds, then ´ A 7 ® A J 8 4 ® A J 8 article, I shall cover a treatment which has 3NT is likely to have ™ 6 5 2 become fairly com mon among tournament good chances. How - t K Q J 8 7 3 players: ‘Four-suit Transfers’. ever, with out the ace ® 9 3 If the partnership does not use transfers, of diamonds, the play then responder (holding Hand B) can How can transfers be used to in no-trumps may simply raise a 1NT opening to 2NT. show hands with long minor be disastrous if the defenders are able to However, since a 2NT response is now suits (at least six-cards long)? remove the ace of spades before declarer used to show diamonds, responder needs can force out the ace of diamonds. So the an alternative way to bid this hand. The Since it is very useful to ‘transfer’ to major most useful distinction is whether opener solution is to bid 2 ® (Stayman), intend ing suits, a logical extension is to also employ has a positive or negative holding in dia - to continue with a bid of 2NT over the transfers to minor suits. This is achieved monds. This allows responder to judge opener’s response. This sequence will no through the use of ‘four-suit transfers’. whether to bid game with an invitational longer promise a four-card major. Using this scheme, a 2 ´ response to 1NT is hand. A sensible agreement is to define a How ever, this raises a problem with used to show clubs, while a 2NT res ponse positive holding as Q-x-x or better, as this Hand C. If the responder bids 2 ® and is used to show diamonds. will give the responder a reasonable way of hears partner bid 2 ™, it is still possible that When adopting this method, a straight - assess ing the trick-taking potential in his the partnership have a spade fit, but given forward approach is for responder to use a long suit. When choosing which bids to that a 2NT rebid no longer promises a 2´ or 2NT response with the following utilise, there is a slight advantage to bid - four-card major, the opener appears to hands types: ding 3 ® with a negative diamond holding, have a problem when holding four-cards as the responder can now pass when hold - in spades. The solution is for responder to 1. Hands that wish to sign-off at the ing a weak hand with at least five cards in continue with a 2NT rebid on Hand B, but three level. both clubs and diamonds. to bid 2 ´ on Hand C. This 2 ´ rebid will

18 English Bridge April 2010 www.ebu.co.uk now describe an invitational hand with mum and four trumps). four spades, offering opener the choice of When responder has transferred to a playing in spades at the two level or minor, opener can essentially ignore the CLUB PLAYER’S higher, or 2NT or 3NT. With the values for double, bidding 2NT/3 ® with a negative game, responder will simply rebid 3NT, holding in partner’s minor, and 3 ®/3 t BIDDING QUIZ which will still show four spades since with a positive holding. responder could simply raise 1NT to 3NT If the opponents overcall (rather than ON each of the following problems, with no interest in the majors. doubling), opener should tend to pass you are West. What should you bid (whether responder has transferred to with each hand on the given auction? Example a major or minor) and only bid when gives the correct hold ing a maximum hand with four-card answers on page 32. Here is an example of (minor-suit) trans- support. fers in action: Are transfers only useful after an opening bid of 1NT? Hand 1 WNES ´ A 7 6 ´ 5 2 ´ Q 6 3 1t Pass 1´ Pass ™ K 8 5 N ™ A 4 2 Major-suit transfers can also be used after ™ A Q 10 ? W E t Q J 6 4 S t 7 3 an opening bid of 2NT, a rebid of 2NT t A K 8 7 ® K 8 3 ® A Q 10 7 6 2 after a 2 ® opening and a 2NT overcall of ® 10 9 6 an opponent’s Weak Two bid. (In these cases many partnerships use a 3 ´ response West East to show both minors and doubt about 1NT 2´1 playing in 3NT.) Four-suit transfers are Hand 2 WNES 3®2 3NT also helpful after an overcall of 1NT over ´ K Q J 8 6 1´ Both Pass an opponent’s one-level opening bid. ™ A 6 ? 1 At least six clubs t K J 10 8 2 Positive for clubs ® K 3 In summary: Transfers in competition • A popular treatment is to use 2 ´ as Can transfers be used after intervention? a transfer to clubs and 2NT as a Hand 3 WNES The answer is no. Once an opponent over- transfer to diamonds. This allows ´ 7 3 1™ Pass 2´ Pass calls partner’s 1NT opening, standard responder to sign off at the three ™ A K Q J 3 2 ? trans fer agreements no longer apply, so level, to invite game, or to inves - t J 5 responder bids his suit at the lowest level tigate for slam when holding a two- ® Q 8 2 to compete, or jumps in his longest suit suited hand. with at least five cards and the values for • Opener can distinguish between game. hands with positive and negative What if the opponents intervene after a holdings in responder’s suit by Hand 4 WNES transfer response has already been made? making use of the extra bid afford - ´ 5 1t Pass 1™ Pass Let us first consider what happens when ed by this style of transfer response. ™ A 5 3 2® Pass 2NT Pass responder’s transfer bid is doubled. If the • The major disadvantage of the loss t A J 8 7 6 ? responder has transferred to a major (by of an invitational raise to 2NT is ® A K 8 2 bidding 2 t or 2 ™), then standard prac tice dealt with through the use of non- is for the opener to pass when holding a promissory Stayman, whereby a 2 ® doubleton in partner’s major, and to response to 1NT no longer promise s ‘complete’ the transfer by bidding 2 ™/2 ´ a four-card major if the responder Hand 5 WNES when holding three or more cards in bids 2NT over opener’s 2 t, 2 ™ or ´ A 8 4 2 1t Pass 2t partner’s suit (opener can still ‘break’ the 2´ rebid. r ™ K Q 3 2 ? transfer by bidding 3 ™/3 ´ with a maxi - t A 8 2 ® A 8 NEW HANDICAP SYSTEM FOR BRIGHTON CONGRESS A NEW handicap system is being considered for some of the mid-week events at Brighton this year. The idea is to encourage lesser players to try their luck against the experts. Life Masters Hand 6 WNES will only be allowed one Double card in their . They will have to decide whether ´ Q J 4 1NT Pass 2NT Pass to use it to double for take-out early in the auction, or save it for a penalty double later. In addi - tion, Grand Masters will have no 3NT card, obliging them to bid to the four level to try and ™ A K 7 ? make game in no-trumps – and thereby run the risk that they will find out how many aces their t 8 7 6 4 partner holds. The idea has been presented to the Tournament Committee. ® Q J 3 ‘We are always on the look-out for interesting and innovative ideas,’ said Committee Chairman Andrew Petrie, adding that he had no doubt that the Tournament Committee would vote unanimously on it at their meeting in early April.

www.ebu.co.uk April 2010 English Bridge 19 S

N Defending against O I T N E V

N Weak Twos O C

L U F E S Why play Take-Out Doubles? into a penalty double (by passing), or U David Bakhshi removing the double in a descriptive It may seem that giving up a penalty way. With weak hands, the advancer double is something that you cannot bids his longest suit at the lowest level. CONSTRUCTIVE bidding can be hard afford to do, but you should consider a few With an invitational hand, the ad - enough when it starts at the one level, but factors which have led most experts to vancer can either jump in his longest clearly gets much tougher when the favour take-out doubles after an oppo - suit, or bid 2NT, and with the values bidding starts at higher levels. Since it is nent’s Weak Two: for game, he either bids game in his relatively uncommon to pick up a hand 1. One will wish to double a pre-empt longest suit, tries 3NT, or alternatively suitable for a Strong Two opening, many for take-out far more often than for cue-bids the opponent’s suit. duplicate players prefer to increase the penalties. This last point is the one which requires frequency of pre-empting by employing 2. The partnership will extract bigger the greatest discussion, since partnerships Weak Two bids in the majors, with a good penalties when they hold general can agree how specific a meaning they number also playing a Weak Two bid in strength as well as good trumps. So, attach to a cue-bid. It is common to play diamonds. These bids classically show a while either defender may wish to this bid as either asking for a stopper, or as six-card suit and around 5-10 HCP, though double for penalties with a trump a ‘Staymanic’ bid seeking a 4-4 fit in an many pairs will open more aggressively, holding such as K-J-9-7-5, a sub - unbid major. especially at favourable vulnerability (non- stantial penalty will be more likely if vulnerable vs vulnerable). that player’s partner has several high Are there any other issues cards outside of trumps. to consider when defending How should one defend 3. A take-out double may be converted against Weak Twos? against Weak Two openings? to a penalty double, while the use of penalty doubles requires the defend - One other action that may be chosen is a Once an opponent has opened a Weak ers to replace a natural call with an direct cue-bid of the opponent’s suit. The Two, the next player will have three artificial one if they wish to show a two most common meanings attached to positive options: bidding a suit, bidding hand suitable for a take-out double. this bid are to describe a two-suited hand no-trumps, or doubling. Though he will (Michaels), or to show a hand with a long have to bid at the two (or three) level, his How do you continue strong suit, asking partner to bid 3NT strategy should essentially be similar to after partner has taken with a stopper in the Weak Two suit. My that employed when the opponents open a positive action? preference is to play that a cue-bid shows at the one level (whilst the level is higher, at least five cards in each major if the the opening bidder has shown a different • If partner has bid a suit, then you opponents open 2 t, but as stopper-asking type of hand). have first to decide whether your if they open 2 ™ or 2 ´. • With opening values, strain to over - partnership has found a fit. If you If you adopt this approach, then you may call in a major with a decent five card have, then the advancer (i.e. the over - wish to further consider the meaning of a suit. caller’s partner) can either raise direct - jump overcall. Many partnerships adopt the • Holding a balanced hand with ly, or make a full-value raise by ‘cue- principle that we do not pre-empt after our around 15-18 HCP (and at least one bidding’ the opponent’s suit. If a fit opponents have pre-empted. Using this stopper in the opponent’s suit), bid has not yet been found, then the principle, then a jump in a major suit shows 2NT. advancer can introduce his own (five a good hand. How ever, jumping in a minor • The most important decision, how - plus card) suit. A change of suit is should be less attractive since it bypasses the ever, relates to the meaning of a best treated as forcing when the op - most likely game contract (3NT). So, many double. While it was once fashion able po nents have pre-empted. partner ships now use a jump to 4 ® or 4 t to to play that a double was for • If partner has bid 2NT, then a sen - show a two-suited hand (Leaping penalties, it is now commonplace to sible agreement is to continue as if Michaels). For example, after an opening employ take-out doubles (showing partner has opened 2NT. bid of 2 ™, a jump to 4 ® would show a good an opening hand with shortage in the • When partner doubles for take-out, hand, at least five-five in clubs and spades, opponent’s suit and support for the then advancer follows standard prin - while a jump to 4 t would show diamonds unbid suits). ciples, either converting the double and spades.

18 English Bridge August 2010 www.ebu.co.uk Quiz spades and clubs were swapped, it would be better to make a take-out double. CAPTION The dealer opens 2 ™ (weak) and you are next to speak: Hand B. 4t. With a two-suited hand, it is COMPETITION useful to be able to show both suits imme - diately. If the partnership adopts ‘Leaping Hand A Hand B Michaels’, then this hand would be suitable ´ A Q 7 4 3 ´ A Q J 5 2 for a jump to 4 t, rather than making a ™ 7 ™ 4 simple overcall or a take-out double. t K 8 2 t K Q J 7 4 ® K J 5 4 ® A 3 Hand C. 3´. With limited room to explore, a raise to 3 ´ potentially covers a wide range of hands. However, one should treat a The dealer opens 2 ™ (weak), your partner simple raise as mildly invitational, and cue- bids 2 ´, and the next player passes: bid the opponents’ suit with a full value invitational-plus raise.

Hand C Hand D Hand D. 3™. This time you expect to make Alright, I can do ´ Q 7 6 2 ´ K 5 4 game, and might make a slam (opposite, Best Behaviour at Bridge! ™ 8 4 ™ 6 2 say, ´ AQ7632, ™ A3, t 762, ® K5), so it is t K J 7 6 2 t A 8 5 useful to be able to make a forcing raise. 3 ™ THE winner of our June com pe ti tion, ® 9 3 ® A Q J 7 3 is initially assumed to be invitational-plus, with the cap tion above, is Lydia but may be the first move on a hand with Stanford, Hove, who will rec eive a slam interest. charming Victoriana bridge mug from The dealer opens 2 ™ (weak), your partner our sponsors, Bridge and Golf Gifts doubles, and the next player passes: Hand E. 3´. With a known fit in spades, and Direct (see page 7). Other good cap tions invitational values, jump to 3 ´. 2 ´ would be were: I'm afraid it's Members Only this evening, Nick (John MacLeod, London); consistent with a much weaker hand, and Would you care for a demon stra tion of the Hand E Hand F possibly just four cards in spades. Devil’s ? (John Dean, London); ´ K J 8 5 3 ´ A 7 Which one called the Director? (Ron ™ J 4 2 ™ Q J 10 9 3 Hand F. Pass. Bidding 3 ® should not be Beazley, Essex); Ladies, I would like you to t 7 t 6 4 attractive, as you could easily have the meet my husband, he is only like this at the ® A 7 4 3 ® Q 5 3 2 values for game. You could instead try 2NT bridge table (Gwen Griffin, Hants); Why to invite game, but if partner passes you do I always get the partner from Hell? may not even make 2NT, and if he raises to (David Noble, Northumber land); I'm Answers 3NT, you may have missed a chance to score here to join your old NICK O team (Mike even more points. How can you do this? Orriel, Devon); I want to remind you that Hand A. 2´. Though one would prefer a The answer is simply to pass. You are likely you are all vulnerable (Beryl Povey, Herts); and Let’s cut for partners (Mrs E.M. stronger spade suit to overcall at the two to have four winners in your hand, and Richtie, Merseyside). level, it is usually right to act with an partner should provide at least two more The cartoon for our new competition opening hand. Holding a five-card major it tricks, especially if you can actually make as is below. Please send your bridgy is preferable to make an overcall, but if the many as nine tricks in no-trumps. r captions (multiple entries accep ted) to the Editor, English Bridge, 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR or by e-mail to IN A NUTSHELL: ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE EASY [email protected] not later than 20th August 2010. Don’t forget to include A short reference table provided by Jeremy Dhondy your full postal address!

WHAT DO I ANNOUNCE? WHAT DO I SAY? 1NT natural opening The range ( e.g.12-14). If you have agreed that it can contain a singleton you should also say this.

2® Stayman in response to a 1NT opening ‘Stayman’.

2t/2 ™ Transfer in response to 1NT opening ‘Hearts’ or ‘Spades’ as appropriate.

A natural two-level opening Explain the strength by using one or more of the words that follow. You do not say the range. You might say ‘Weak’, ‘Intermediate’, ‘Strong’. If you say ‘Strong’, you should say whether it is forcing or non forcing. You can mix and match, e.g. ‘Intermediate Sponsored by Bridge to Strong’. & Golf Gifts Direct

www.ebu.co.uk August 2010 English Bridge 19 S

N The defence O I T N E V

N to a 1NT opening O C

L U F E

S The basic principle is that it is generally using 2 t as a conventional response. U David Bakhshi a good idea to prevent the opponents This simply asks the overcaller to bid playing in 1NT, so a ‘direct’ overcall should his longer (or better) major. be based on two good suits. A useful rule • With unequal length, the responder IN this article, I will look at an effective of thumb is for the suits to be at least 5-4 can bid his longer major at the two yet relatively straightforward convention: in length, with at least two honours in level with a relatively weak hand. Landy. Originally the idea of Alvin Landy, each suit (when non-vulnerable). However, When holding invitational values, it is a convention which allows an over- with extra length, less high-card strength how ever, he can start by bidding 2 t, caller to show a two-suited hand following is necessary. When vulnerable, it is advis - and then raise to three of the over - an opening bid of 1NT. In a nutshell, by able to be 5-5 in the two suits, or for the caller’s longer major if a fit has now bidding 2 ® over the opening 1NT, the overcaller’s hand to be 5-4-3-1 with open - been found . overcaller shows that he holds both majors. ing values. • With no fit for either major, the In the ‘protective’ position (i.e. 1NT – responder can make an invitational Why is it useful to play Pass – Pass – ?), a good working assumption bid of 2NT (around 12-14). a conventional defence to an is that the high-card points are approxi - • It is common to play that the opening bid of 1NT? mately evenly divided between each responder can also make a game partnership, so you can afford to compete forcing enquiry bid by raising to The main disadvantages in playing a more aggres sively. Successful match-point 3®. This typically requires a hand natural defence lie in the frequency with players will bid when 4-4 if non-vulnerable, worth around 15 points, and asks which one can disrupt the auction as an and on many 5-4 hands when vulnerable. the over caller to bid his longer overcaller, and the ability to find the best Consider what you would bid in all major at the three level, or to bid 3 t fit available. When holding a two-suited situations with Hand A: with equal length in both of his hand, it is clearly desirable to show both suits. suits at once, as this will allow partner to choose the best one for the partnership. Hand A Consider how to continue after partner This is particularly important when hold - ´ K Q 7 6 2 bids 2 ® when holding Hands B and C: ing both major suits, since they make it ™ K Q 5 2 more likely that we can win a competitive t 7 6 3 auction (we can outbid the opponents ® 5 Hand B Hand C without raising the trick level). ´ A 9 6 2 ´ 5 4 ™ 6 ™ Q 8 How does Landy allow A sensible approach would be to overcall t K Q 8 4 3 t K 7 5 4 an overcaller to show 2® in the direct position when non- ® 6 5 2 ® Q 8 7 3 2 a two-suited hand? vulnerable, and to bid 2 ® in the protective position at any vulne rability. However, By sacrificing a natural bid, one can with a heart more and a diamond fewer, it With Hand B, the responder can make an increase the range of hands that can enter would now be acceptable to bid 2 ® in all invitational jump to 3 ´. With Hand C, he the bidding. In this case, the least useful positions and vulnerabilities. bids 2 t, intending to pass the overcaller’s natural bid is 2 ®. This is therefore given a next bid (two of his longer major). conventional meaning, and is used to How does one respond show both majors. to a 2 ®overcall? Can we still play in clubs if we adopt Landy? What are the requirements • With at least four cards in either major, for a Landy 2 ® bid? the responder can make a limit bid at There are two ways in which the part - the two, three or four levels . nership can try to play in clubs. One is for This is a matter for partnership agree - • When holding equal length in the the overcaller to jump to 3 ® (with a good ment, but it is sensible to vary the requi - majors, the responder is keen to six-card suit). The second way is for the rements according to both position and discover which suit is best for the overcaller’s partner to pass when the con - vulnerability, as well as the form of scoring. overcaller. This can be achieved by ventional overcall has been made.

18 English Bridge June 2010 www.ebu.co.uk How should opener’s partner deal with Landy interference?

makers of playing cards since 1824 PRIZE LEADS Following a direct overcall of 2 ®, regular partnerships should agree the meaning of www.piatnik.co.uk QQQUUIIZZZ ‘double’, a bid of 2 ™/2 ´ and a bid of ( 020 8661 8866 3™/3 ´. OPENING leads are often subjective and vir tual - It is sensible to play that doubling shows ly any can be successful some of the some values (8+ points), and leads to time. However, bridge is in many ways a game of percentages and there fore certain leads will gain penalty doubles by both players thereafter. more often than others. In each issue you will be Common treatments of major-suit bids given three hands and the bidding on each, and are to either play them all as natural, or to you are asked to choose your opening leads. use 2 ™/2 ´ as stopper-asking bids, and Sugges tions and markings will be in the next jumps to 3 ™/3 ´ to show game-forcing issue. In each example you are on lead as West. hands with a shortage in the bid suit and at least 5-4 in the minors. WN E S This charming twin-pack of Piatnik playing ´ A 6 5 3NT * cards (‘Romance & Roses’) is the prize on offer ™ K 10 7 6 4 End What happens in our series of quizzes set by Paul Hackett. if third hand bids after partner t Q J 10 4 *Solid minor with no more There are three categories in our competi - ® 6 than one stop outside makes a 2 ® overcall? tion: up to and including Master; up to and including Regional Master; and those with higher ranking. Please indicate on the top left- WN E S If third hand (the opener’s partner) doubles ´ A Q 10 8 ´ hand corner of the envelope, or in the e-mail 1 the 2 ® overcall, the overcaller’s partner ™ Q 7 5 ™ subject line, the category for which you are Pass 2t Pass 2 can now pass to show clubs, make a natural t 6 ™ ™ entering. The first correct in each Pass 3 * Pass 4 t ® Q J 10 7 6 bid of 2 , or redouble to ask the overcaller category out of a hat will win the prize. End (*non forcing) to bid his longer major. The meaning of The Editor’s decision is final. higher bids can remain unchanged. WN E S Entries to the Editor, 23 Erleigh Road, ´ 10 4 2 1NT If third hand bids a suit, then the over- Reading RG1 5LR, or e-mail [email protected] ™ J 10 9 7 Pass 3NT Dble End caller’s partner can double for pen al ties or by June 20th 2010. Please make sure you t Q 10 8 7 make natural bids as before. include your full postal address even if ® 6 5 Here is an example of Landy in action: entering by e-mail.

´ K Q 7 5 4 ´ A J 8 ANSWERS TO APRIL OPENING LEADS QUIZ ™ A J 8 2 N ™ Q 10 6 W E QUIZ master Paul Hackett gives his views on tricks so a heart lead is out of the question. South t 7 S t 9 6 4 3 the best leads, and marks them in order of merit. is likely to be short in clubs which makes a club ® K 8 6 ® A 5 3 lead unattractive. There is a case for leading the WN E S ´A to have a look at dummy but safest is a trump ´ A K 10 4 1® lead even though it’s a singleton. ™ 8 2 West North East South Pass 1´ Pass 1NT t 1NT 9 4 3 End WN E S ® A J 7 6 ´ 10 2®1 Pass 2t2 Pass 2® Any diamond (10); ´A ™ 9 8 6 5 4 Pass 2t Pass 2´ 2´ Pass 3´3 Pass (7); ™8 (5); ´4 (3); ®6 (1). t 9 8 3 Pass 3t Pass 3™ ´ 4 ® Q J 8 6 Pass 3´ Pass 4® 1 Majors Always difficult when the opponents have bid your suits and have stopped at a low level. A club Pass 6NT Pass 7´ 2 Asking for the longer major looks as if it is going round to the opener’s suit. End 3 Invitational The fact that partner has not protected with 2 ™ ®Q/8/6 (10); ´10 (9); a diamond (5); a heart (2). suggests that he does not have reasonable hearts. You might lead ´A to have a look at dummy. The This hand is from a Crockfords match and the In summary: ´4 could be a disaster. That leaves a dia mond, opening lead made a huge difference. As it which could well be partner’s suit anyway. proved at the table, a red-suit lead may give declarer a trick, whereas a black-suit lead is It is useful to have a bid which shows unlikely to hurt partner. I prefer a club lead as • WN E S both majors when the opponents ´ A 5 4 2 on the auction the ®A might be missing. 1® Pass 1´ Dble open 1NT. ™ K Q 2 4´ 4NT 1 Pass 5t The requirements for an overcall t • 8 Dble End vary according to vulnerability and ® A Q 10 7 2 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS: 1 Diamonds and hearts position. Master: Hilton Stansfield, t ´ The overcaller’s partner makes a limit 8 (10); A (7); low spade Bamford, Rochdale • (4); ®A (3) bid with a known fit. With equal Regional: Roy Edmunds, length, he can bid 2 t to ask about the You have made a very aggressive 4 ´ bid and Shotley Gate, Ipswich overcaller’s longer major. r pushed the opponents to make a tough decision. Open: John Shaw, It is almost certain that the ™A is with South and Codnor Park, Notts. if we do not attack the suit we have two heart

www.ebu.co.uk June 2010 English Bridge 19 S

N The Michaels O I T N E V

N cue-bid O C

L U F E

S suit, and though partnership styles may With the values for game, the advancer

U • David Bakhshi vary, it is a good idea to make sure that good can either jump to 4 ™/4 ´ or, alter - suits are held. A useful guideline is for the natively, he can make a return cue- Michaels overcaller to have at least two bid by bidding the opponents’ suit at THIS convention was the brainchild of an honours in each suit (though many like to the three level. This sets up a game American, Mike Michaels, and it lends be more aggressive when non-vulnerable). force, and asks the Michaels bidder to itself to being played in a fairly simple way. When the opening bid is 1 ™ or 1 ´, a describe his hand further. (A jump to Michaels cue-bid is used to show the most 4™/4 ´ can also be made on a pre- Why is it useful to make important suit (the other major), and one emptive hand with five trumps – two-suited overcalls? of the minors. Again, at least five cards opponents are left to guess which should be held in each suit, and each suit type of hand advancer holds!) When the opponents open the bidding, it is should be of reasonable quality. a winning strategy to try to make their lives Next, what do you bid when the over - as difficult as possible, either pushing them How strong does one need to be caller’s second suit is unknown? higher than they would prefer to be, or just to make a Michaels cue-bid? The principles are very similar to those stopping them from declaring. While this detailed above, but the advancer also can be effective with one-suited hands, Many partnerships play that the overcaller needs a way of finding out which minor there is even greater potential when holding will either have a weak hand or a strong the Michaels bidder holds. When the a two-suited hand since there is now a much hand, but not one of intermediate strength. advancer holds a hand with game interest, better chance of finding a fit in at least one Since it is so useful to show a two-suited this can be achieved by sacrificing a 2NT of the long suits. It is also helpful to show hand as soon as possible, I would recom- response as a natural bid, and replacing it the two-suited nature of the hand as quickly mend not worrying too much about a with a forcing enquiry. The overcaller is and efficiently as possible. point range, but consider overcalling on expected to bid his minor at the three level weaker hands when non-vulnerable. As with a minimum hand. With extra values, How can an overcaller show a with all competitive auc tions, vulnerabi lity he can bid 3 ™ to show clubs or 3 ´ to show two-suited hand after an is a major fac tor. When non-vulnerable, diamonds. opening bid of 1 ®/1 t/1 ™/1 ´? one may have a relatively weak hand, but a In addition, a bid of 3 ® by advancer vulnerable over call suggests a better hand becomes a ‘pass or correct’ bid, and says: When the opponents open the bidding (close to opening values is sensible). ‘Partner, pass if your second suit is clubs, with one of a suit, an area that requires but correct to 3 t if that is your second suit’. partnership agreement is the meaning of a How does one respond to a Here is Michaels in action: cue-bid (i.e. bidding the opponents’ suit). Michaels cue-bid? When holding length in the opponents’ suit, it is usually best to pass, so a cue-bid Let us first consider the auctions where ´ A Q J 7 4 ´ 6 3 can be given an artificial meaning. While it the overcaller has shown both majors. In ™ 6 N ™ 8 7 4 2 W E used to be popular to play a cue-bid as this case, the overcaller’s partner (called t A Q 8 5 2 S t K J 9 3 showing a very strong hand, it has become ‘advancer’) is gener ally in charge of the ® 5 4 ® A K 8 commonplace to show such hands by decision-making (unless the Michaels bid - starting with a take-out double. This frees der has significant extra values). up a cue-bid to show a two-suited hand. • With less than opening values, the West North East South advancer should give preference at 1™ How does partner know in which the two level. 2™1 Pass 2NT 2 Pass suits the overcaller has length? • With a minimum opening hand, the 3´3 Pass 5t All Pass advancer can make an invitational bid. 1 Spades and a minor When the opening bid is 1 ® or 1 t, a He can either bid 2NT (with no fit), or 2 Enquiry, with game interest Michaels cue-bid is used to show the two jump to 3 ™/3 ´ with at least three cards 3 Non-minimum, with diamonds most important (of the three remaining) in the suit. Unbalanced hands with suits, i.e. hearts and spades. The Michaels four-card support can invite with In the next issue: how to defend against bidder should have at least five cards in each fewer high cards. the Michaels cue-bid. r

44 English Bridge October 2010 www.ebu.co.uk