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Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3 of 3)
Responder’s Rebid and Competitive Auctions
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3 of 3) Responder’s Rebid and Competitive Auctions
Copyright 2020 by Larry Cohen All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission from the author.
Printed in U.S.A.
First printing
ISBN # 978-1-7348780-3-5
Thank you to Helen Nathan & Alan Templeton (proofreaders).
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Table of Contents
Introduction ...... 4 PART 1 – Responder’s Rebid (the 4th bid of the auction) Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s One-of-a-Suit Rebid ...... 6 Responder’s Rebid after Opener Has Rebid 1NT or 2NT ...... 10 Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s 2-Level Rebid (non-maximum) ...... 14 Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s Reverse ...... 17 Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s Jump ...... 20 Responder’s Rebid after Responding to 1NT or 2NT ...... 23 Responder’s Rebid after Responding on the Two Level ...... 26 Responder’s Rebid after Responding to 2...... 29 Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s Preempt ...... 32
PART 2 – Competitive Auctions (and Conventions) Responding after the Opponent’s Double of Partner’s 1./1/1/1 ...... 36 Responding after the Opponent’s Double of Partner’s 1NT or Higher ...... 39 Responding after an Opposing 1 Overcall ...... 42 Responding after an Opposing 1 Overcall ...... 45 Responding after an Opposing 1 or 1NT Overcall...... 48 Responding after an Opposing Two-plus Level Overcall ...... 52 The Opponents Open and We Double ...... 55 Partner Has Made a Takeout Double ...... 58 The Opponents Open and We Overcall ...... 61 Our Partner Has Overcalled ...... 64 Opener’s Rebid after Responder’s Negative Double ...... 68 Opener’s Rebid after the Opponents Interfere ...... 71 Conventional Interference ...... 74 Conventions ...... 78
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Introduction
I have a confession to make. Bidding is my least favorite topic to teach. That frequently puts me at odds with students who rush up to ask bidding questions. I rarely finish giving a lecture before hearing the shouts of “You hold KQx…” or “What does it mean when partner bids…” There are three big problems with teaching bidding. 1) Much of bidding relies on judgment and style. There are thousands of books and articles dedicated to bidding problems and each problem has multiple possible choices – none of them are right or wrong. 2) The most common answer to a bidding question is, “discuss it with partner.” Partnership understandings don’t just govern what conventions you play, but also how you interpret the choices partner has made in an auction. If something comes up and you thought your bid meant one thing and your partner thought it meant another the correct answer is “discuss it, and don’t get it wrong next time.” 3) People want to learn conventions. Conventions are like candy – they are fun to learn and play, but they aren’t good for you. I’ve seen players talk about DOPI/ROPI and Snapdragon without knowing whether (1.)--1--(Pass)--1 was forcing for them or not. Conventions can be useful ways of showing particular hands, but the mental energy spent learning and remembering new conventions would be better spent mastering the basics. In this book, we’ll take a look at fundamental bidding. The previous volumes covered the first three bids of the auction. We now look at the fourth bid as well as competitive auctions. Whether you are a new player or have been playing for years, you should make sure that you fully grasp how to approach an auction from the ground up.
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PART 1
Responder’s Rebid
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Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s One-of-a-Suit Rebid For now, there is no competition (no bidding by the opponents). The opponents will come out of their passing stupor midway through this book. This section, we will focus on the auction where the first three bids were all one of a suit. So, our auction is:
Opener Responder 1 of a suit 1 of a suit 1 of a suit ?? Unfortunately, there is an underlying issue here of “old way” versus “modern way.” It involves a principle called “Walsh Style.” This can be confusing. Actually, let me fess up: It is confusing! I’ll try to explain the gist of it. In the old days, we were taught to “bid up the line.” This meant that if partner opened 1., and responder had four diamonds and four hearts, he would respond 1. Opener would also bid “up the line.” This meant that if you opened 1. and partner responded 1, opener would next show a four-card major if he had one. In modern style (“Walsh”) if you will, it is different. That is the style I prefer to play and to teach. This style “disrespects” diamonds after a 1. opening bid. The focus is on reaching majors or notrump. Volumes I and 2 explained this in more detail. Bottom line: After 1.--1, opener rebids 1NT with any balanced 12-14. If opener’s second bid is a major, he is not balanced. After 1.--1--1 Opener has shown an unbalanced hand (usually with five-plus clubs and four hearts – if he had a flat/balanced hand, he would have rebid 1NT). Responder bids as follows: 1 – Will be discussed at the very end of this section (it can be confusing). 1NT – A notrump hand, typically with spades stopped and about 8-10 (example: KJ9 762 Q10762 .K2). 2. – A preference to clubs (at least three-card support) and up to about 10 points (example: 762 63 KQ762 .K74). 2 – Natural, six-plus diamonds, up to about 10 points (example: 762 A9 KJ10874 .J4). 2 – Not a likely call (such a hand would have responded 1).
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2 – Discussed at the end of this section (related to 1 and also a bit confusing). 2NT – Same as 1NT but with a little more (11-12, invitational) (example: KJ9 A107 Q10762 .J9). 3. – Four-plus clubs, invitational. Example: 762 9 AQ762 .A1074. 3 – Six-plus diamonds, invitational. Example: 63 74 AKJ1063 .Q74. 3/3 – Unlikely (such a hand would have responded in the major). 3NT – To play. 13-15, spades stopped. (example: AQ9 74 AQ1063 .J74). Don’t make the common mistake of bidding 2NT non-forcing (NF) with this hand. After 1.--1--1 Mostly as above: 1NT – A notrump hand, typically with hearts stopped, less than invitational. Example: 762 KJ9 K10762 .Q9. 2. – A preference to clubs (at least three-card support) and up to about 10 points (example: 74 762 KJ762 .A74). 2 – Natural, six-plus diamonds, up to about 10 points (example: 63 K74 AJ10762 .74). 2 – Fourth suit forcing. Responder’s bid in the fourth suit (A-B-C-D) is artificial and game forcing. It says nothing about hearts. It could be the prelude to many things (including slam tries in any of the first three bid suits). It may or may not contain a heart stopper. Examples (AQ63 74 AKQ63 .74 or A9 A5 KQJ1074 .Q74). 2 – Not a likely call (such a hand would have responded 1). 2NT – Same as 1NT but with a little more (11-12, invitational) (example: K2 AJ9 1087642 .K2). 3. – Four-plus clubs, invitational. Example: 9 762 AK762 .K1074. 3 – Six-plus diamonds, invitational. Example: 63 74 AQJ1063 .A74. 3 – Don’t try such a bid (a jump in the 4th suit). 3 – Unlikely (such a hand would have responded 1). 3NT – To play. 13-15, hearts stopped. (example: 74 KQ9 AQJ63 .J74). Don’t make the common mistake of bidding 2NT (NF) with this hand. After 1.--1--1 Opener has four spades and a wide range (and could be balanced or unbalanced). This is a little different than a 1.--1 start. Nothing fancy here – natural bids mostly as above. Responder shows shape and strength as follows:
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1NT – A notrump hand, typically with diamonds stopped and about 8-10 (example: 762 KJ74 K1063 .Q9). 2. – A preference to clubs (at least four-card support, since opener could be, say 4=3=3=3) and up to about 10 points (example: 9 Q762 J74 .A8642). 2 – Fourth suit forcing. Responder’s bid in the fourth suit (A-B-C-D) is artificial and game forcing. It says nothing about diamonds. It could be the prelude to many things (including slam tries in any of the first three bid suits). It may or may not contain a diamond stopper. Examples (A AKQJ106 74 .A762, 8642 AK74 AQJ .A9 or A74 A8642 762 .AJ). 2 – Six-plus hearts, weak. Example: 74 KQJ762 Q74 .74. 2 – Four spades, about 7-10 (you could pass 1 with less). Example: A762 K762 J9 .J62. 2NT – Same as 1NT but with a little more (11-12, invitational) (example: K2 AJ762 Q1074 .J9). 3. – Four-plus clubs, invitational. Example: 9 A762 Q74 .A10762. 3 – Don’t make such a bid (a jump in the 4th suit). 3 – Six-plus hearts, invitational. Example: Q9 KQJ10762 9 .Q74. 3 – More than a 2 bid (invitational). Example: AQ74 KJ74 J4 .1074. 3NT – To play. 13-15, diamonds stopped. (example: Q9 KQ93 AQ9 .J762). 4./4 – Don’t make such bids (although they should be splinter raises). 4 – To play – lots of hearts. Example: 74 AKQJ762 9 .Q74. 4 – Enough for game and four spades (but usually such a hand would start with fourth suit forcing). After 1--1--1 Pretty much as above – all the same principles apply. 1.--1--1--1 or 2 After 1.--1--1, there is a bit of a problem. A spade bid would be the “fourth suit.” In all of the fourth-suit auctions above, the fourth suit was an artificial game force. But, when it starts 1.--1--1, the opener could easily have four spades (the fourth suit). Responder might want to play in the fourth suit! Opener might have been dealt: A762 A1062 9 .A762. So, should 1.--1--1--1 show spades (there is potentially a 4-4 fit) – or should it be fourth-suit forcing? This is something a partnership has to decide and hope to remember if it occurs. It rarely comes up, so it isn’t a big deal. 1.--1--1--1 can be natural and 1.-- 1--1--2 can be “fourth suit forcing.” Or vice versa. I hate to bring any of this up in this book. I can live just fine if you ignore this issue.
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QUIZ What is your call after: 1.--1--1 with: 1) KQ2 KJ2 106542 .86 2) AQJ J2 KQ1076 .J82 What is your call after: 1.--1--1 with: 3) A2 975 KQJ10876 .3 4) AQ32 A AK8765 .32 5) 2 A32 K10876 .QJ43 What is your call after 1.--1--1 with: 6) AQ42 KQ32 Q2 .A32 7) A KQ1076 A832 .Q75 8) J765 Q765 Q32 .J2 What is your call after 1--1--1 with: 9) Q6 KJ76 Q105 .K1098 10 54 AQJ765 A2 .K32 11) K1076 AK54 AQ2 .Q6 12) K1076 AK54 J102 .86 ANSWERS 1) 1NT. Spades stopped, balanced, about 8-10. 2) 3NT. Same as #1 but 13-15, enough for game. 3) 3. Six-plus diamonds, invitational. 4) 2. Fourth suit forcing to game, followed by a spade raise. 5) 3.. Natural limit (invitational) club raise. 6) 2. Fourth suit forcing to game, followed by a spade raise. 7) 2. Fourth suit forcing to game – not clear what will be next. 8) Pass. This is allowed (1 is wide-ranging, but NF), and if ever there were a hand for it, you have it. 9) 2NT. Invitational (clubs stopped). 10) 2.. Artificial and game forcing (you will likely bid hearts next). 11) 2.. Another use of fourth-suit forcing; this time you will raise spades next. 12) 3. Invitational.
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Responder’s Rebid after Opener has rebid 1NT or 2NT This section we are looking at responder’s second bid when opener has rebid 1NT or 2NT. Let’s start after opener’s 1NT rebid, so the auction has gone: 1-of-a-suit--1-of-a-suit--1NT. Opener has shown 12-14 balanced. After 1.--1--1NT In this case, opener could have one or two four-card majors. In modern bidding he wouldn’t show it unless he had a shapely hand. It is up to responder to show a four-card major. When the response was 1 (natural), it meant that either responder had no four-card major, or he was strong enough (opening-bid values) to show it on the second round. So, with: A654 2 AKJ103 J87, the response to 1. was 1, but now after the 1NT rebid, responder would bid 2. Here are the meanings for the 1 responder on his second turn: Pass: With a flattish hand and no game interest (for example: K2 765 KJ876 .Q32). 2.: A desire to play in 2., something like: 4 876 K10872 .A764. 2: Signoff with six-plus diamonds, something like: 95 A2 QJ10876 .J32. 2/2: Four cards in that major, good/longer diamonds and a strong hand (opening bid strength). 2NT: Invitational, usually balanced, roughly: KJ 654 KQJ87 .J107. 3./3: A little more than 2. or 2 (invitational). Examples, respectively (-- A32 KQ1032 .Q10762 or 2 A32 AJ108732 .43). 3/3: Don’t make such a bid. 3NT: This is a 100% closeout bid (example: 532 432 AKQ102 .A3). After 1-anything--1-of-a-Major--1NT (Warning – This could take some study and memorizing. It can’t just be read once and understood. Sigh.) The auctions we are considering are: 1.--1--1NT, 1.--1--1NT, 1--1--1NT, 1--1--1NT and 1--1-1NT. The number of cards responder has in the major is crucial. With only four, responder can abandon any thoughts of playing in that major (opener would have raised with four, or showed spades after a 1 response). With six or more cards, responder will want to insist on playing in his major (opener has at least two, so there is at least an eight-card fit). It is with five cards that responder’s life is difficult. Opener could have three and there could be
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 10 a 5-3 fit. Unfortunately, though, repeating the major typically shows six cards. Without a convention (called new-minor forcing), there are problems. A one- sentence summary of the convention (which is beyond the scope of this book) is that if responder bids the minor that wasn’t opened, it is like Stayman, but looking for three-card support (for example, 1--1--1N--2. says nothing about clubs but is looking for three-card support of the major). Without that convention, responder’s second bid would have to be something like this: Two of opener’s minor: Natural, weak, to play. For example: 1--1--1NT--2 with: 2 KJ32 Q10762 .J32. Two of the other minor: Natural and forcing. For example, 1.--1--1NT--2 with: AQ1032 4 AQ76 .832. Two of responder’s major: To play – signoff. Examples: 6 QJ10972 AJ87 .95 (1.--1--1N--2) or KQ1098 3 Q95 .10876 (1--1--1N--2 – only five spades and maybe a 5-2 fit, but better than 1NT). Two of the other major: If hearts followed by spades (1of-a-minor--1--1NT--2), then natural and forcing. If spades followed by hearts (1-of-a-minor--1--1NT--2), then natural and not forcing. 2NT/3NT: As above after 1.--1--1NT. Examples: 76 AQ87 QJ8 .K952 (1--1--1N--2N) or Q876 Q65 AK2 .Q32 (1--1--1N--3N). Jump to three of an already bid suit: Invitational, six-plus cards. Examples: KJ10762 A65 Q102 .2 (1--1--1N--3) or A32 KQ10876 J32 .2 (1.--1--1N--3). If the auction starts 1--1--1NT, there are actually two new minors, so this complicates matters. If you employ new-minor as artificial, then use 2. as the “checkback” bid. Opener’s 2NT rebid Opener has shown 18-19 balanced. With a terrible hand (like five or a bad six points), responder can pass.
Other possible rebids for responder after opener’s 2NT rebid: 3./3 – Natural and forcing. If using the aforementioned “new-minor forcing” then three of the minor that wasn’t opened would be artificial and like Stayman, typically looking for three-card support in responder’s major. (Example: 1.--1--2N--3 – if using “new minor,” 3 would be artificial and looking for three-card heart support).
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Repeating a major – Natural and forcing (typically six-plus cards). 3NT – To play – absolute signoff. 4. – Gerber (only if responder is specifically interested in the exact number of aces opener holds – this is unlikely ever to come up). 4 – Don’t make this bid. 4/4 – To play (at least six cards in the suit, no slam interest). 4NT – Quantitative/Invitational. Example: AQ5 KQ4 QJ92 .1076 (1.--1--2N--4N).
QUIZ What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--1NT with: 1) AKQ2 2 AKQ103 .J32 2) A2 AQ2 108765 .432 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1-of-a-Major--1NT with: 3) AQ76 AJ2 J5 .9532 4) 7 KQ876 86 .Q8765 5) Q10876 AJ542 3 .32 6) J10875 AQ2 A2 .AJ2 What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1-of-a-Major--2NT with: 7) KJ876 2 AQ32 .432 8) 54 J8765 KJ2 .432 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--1NT with: 9) KJ108765 Q2 AQ2 .3 10) A876 KQ2 J10 .J876 What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--1NT with: 11) 4 QJ1098 K832 .Q43 12) 54 KJ876 A2 .QJ107
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ANSWERS 1) 2. Natural and forcing. 2) Pass. High enough. Opposite 12-14, where are we going? 3) 2NT. Invitational. No need to insist on game since opener could have a flat 12. 4) 2. It might be only a 5-2 fit, but still preferable to 1NT. 5) 2. 1--1--1NT--2--natural and not forcing. 6) 3NT. Even opposite a maximum (14) slam is unlikely. If using “new minor” you could look for a 5-3 spade fit. 7) 3. Natural and GF. Opener will show three-card spade support if he has it. (If playing “new minor forcing” then this wouldn’t promise diamonds). 8) Pass. High enough. Yes, you may miss a 5-3 heart fit. 9) 4.To play – make sure to reach game (3 would be only invitational). 10) 3. Invitational. 11) 2. Even if it is a 5-2 fit, I’d prefer that to letting partner play in 1NT with a sure spade lead coming. 12) 2. This is assuming “new minor forcing.” Without this convention, you’d be somewhat stuck here and have to guess (no good action).
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Responder’s Rebid after Opener has Shown a Minimum/medium Hand on the Two Level What a mouthful! What does it mean? In this section, we are responder and we have responded on the one-level. One something--one something to start. Now, our partner, the opener, has made his second bid on the two level. But he hasn’t shown a big hand (he hasn’t jumpshifted or reversed). He will do that in the next section. So, some example auctions for this section would be: 1.-1-2. or 1--1--2. or 1--1N--2 or 1.--1--2. What has opener shown when his second bid is on the two level? Opener repeats his suit Let’s start with the simplest situation where opener has repeated his suit. This is easier, because opener has a very narrow range. He is showing at least six cards in the suit and a minimum hand (up to about 14 or 15 points counting useful distribution). With more, he could have jumped in his suit. So, the auction has gone 1 Grape--1 Apple--2 Grapes. What next? With a weak hand (less than nine or so), responder is likely done. Even with a void in opener’s suit, he will leave well enough alone and pass. Examples: After 1--1--2, responder would pass with: A762 9 K8642 .762 or KJ762 74 KJ9 .762. Don’t try to correct or improve the contract to 2NT with a hand such as: K753 9 K762 .K962! Responder can invite by raising to three of opener’s suit or by bidding 2NT. Examples: After 1--1--2, raise to 3 with: 9 A762 KJ9 .Q8642, bid 2NT with: K103 QJ74 K74 .Q107. Responder can repeat his own suit, but should keep in mind that opener has six or more of his suit. Responder had better have at least six decent cards of his own. Repeating it on the two level is weak (sort of signoff). On the three level, responder’s suit is invitational. Examples: After 1.--1--2. bid 2 with: AQ10762 K74 8642 .--; bid 3 with: KQJ10762 K762 9 .4. Responder can insist on game by jumping to it, or can bid a new suit which is forcing (and possibly artificial). After 1--1--2, bid 4 with: AQ762 K2 K762 .74, bid 3NT with: AJ104 J9 KQ104 .KQ9, bid 3. with: KQ1074 A 74 .AJ762. Responder can bid 4NT – Roman Keycard Blackwood (RKC) in opener’s suit. For example, after 1--1--2, bid 4NT with: AK762 Q9 AK74 .KQ.
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Opener bids a new suit on the two-level Now, the more difficult situation where opener changes suit (but not a jumpshift or reverse). This has a wider range than had opener repeated his suit. If opener bids a new suit on the two level, he has at least four cards there (and typically five or more in his first suit, definitely if a major was opened). His strength for such a new-suit bid is anything from a minimum up to about 17 or even 18. For this reason, responder should try to keep the bidding alive when holding eight or 9-plus (the partnership could be in game range). Responder can Pass with a weak hand and a preference for the second suit. Example: After 1--1N--2, responder can Pass with: 9 A762 J762 .J762 or -- A762 Q74 .1087642. Responder should go back to the first suit with any hint of a preference, even a “false preference”. With two cards in opener’s major and not great support for the second suit, he can make a “delayed raise” to two of opener’s major. This is especially useful for keeping the bidding alive with medium (9’ish) type hands. For example, after 1--1--2, go back to 2 with: A8642 K2 J74 .J94 (this lets opener bid again with, say, 9 AQ1074 KQ1074 .A9 – a hand that wasn’t strong enough to jumpshift). Opener would next bid 3 and responder could now say 4. This book though isn’t going to go past the fourth bid of the auction – this was bonus coverage. Responder can raise either of opener’s suits to the three level or bid 2NT to invite. For example, after 1--1N--2, bid 3 with: A9 K762 74 .Q10762, bid 3 with: Q108 9 A8642 .A762, or bid 2NT with: Q9 Q9 KJ87 .K10762. With a stronger hand (enough for game), responder can bid game (in any suit or notrump) or bid a new suit (potentially artificial) to force. For example, after 1--1--2, bid 4 with: A762 AJ9 K762 .74, bid 4 with: KQJ10762 A9 K2 .74, bid 3NT with: KQ103 74 Q74 .AQ74, bid 3. (fourth suit forcing) with: AKQ74 A9 A762 .74. Bid 4NT (RKC in the last-bid suit) after 1--1--2 with: AKQ9 A9 K762 .KQ9. After opener has raised a 1-of-a-Major response to 2-of-a-Major
Opener has shown a minimum with (usually) four-card support. Accordingly, responder can pass, invite game, go to game, or even investigate slam.
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QUIZ What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--2 with: 1) KJ763 -- J765 .Q432 2) A1032 K10 K9542 .43 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1N--2 with: 3) -- A32 QJ108765 .432 4) K10 QJ87 Q1076 .QJ6 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--2. with: 5) A654 Q7654 Q32 .2 6) KQ8 K8765 K2 .QJ4 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1N--2 with: 7) A9 KQ1074 8642 .74 8) Q9 Q9 A10762 .J762 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--2 with: 9) AKQ2 K10876 1075 .2 10) KJ4 KJ32 J7 .J1076 What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--2. with: 11) J42 A54 KQ987 .102 12) KQ8 KQ7 AJ1087 .J2 ANSWERS 1) Pass. At least you don’t have to play it (don’t go from the frying pan to the fire). 2) 3. Invitational. 3) 3. Yours are likely better than partner’s. This is to play. 4) 2NT. Invitational. 5) 2. Don’t go any deeper towards trouble. 6) 3NT. Make sure to reach game. You’ve got enough. 7) 4 – Too good for only an invitational 3. 8) 2 – Go back to the known five-card suit (don’t bid 2NT, it won’t play well and it invites 3NT). 9) 4. This is where you want to play so just bid it. 10) Pass. Opposite a minimum, you won’t have a game. Stop now. 11) Pass. Same comment as #10. 12) 3NT. Too much for only 2NT (invitational).
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Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s Reverse In the previous section, as responder, we responded on the one-level. Our partner, the opener, made his second bid on the two level. But he didn’t show a big hand (he didn’t jumpshift or reverse). This section, we are still responding on the one level, but the opener is going to show a big hand. This section he will reverse. Oh dear. Review of “What is a Reverse” All aspiring players need to understand what a jumpshift by opener is and what a reverse by opener is and what is the difference. A jumpshift is where the opener not only changes suit, but skips a level. For example, 1--1--2 or 1.--1--2 is a jumpshift (because the opener changed suit and skipped a level; he could have legally bid only 1 or only 1 in the auctions shown). A reverse is opener’s two-level bid (but not a jump) in a suit higher ranking than the suit he opened. That sentence needs to be read, re-read and digested. For example, 1--1--2 (opener’s rebid was on the two level in a suit higher- ranking than the suit opened, but not a jump). 1--1--2. is not a reverse (clubs are not higher ranking than diamonds). We are not considering auctions where the response was on the two level (for example, 1--2.--2 – that is a matter for two-over-1 auctions, where most players using the modern 2/1 GF system don’t consider “reverses” promise big hands). We are considering auctions only where the opening and response were on the one level. Opener’s reverse shows a good hand (at least 16/17 + counting useful distribution). It is forcing one round (but not to game). Are your eyes glossing over? You have to read and reread the above to begin to understand it. Furthermore, you can’t say you “don’t play reverses” – if opener produces one of the auctions below, like it or not, he has reversed. Here are the auctions we are considering: 1.--1--2, 1.--1--2, 1.--1--2, 1--1--2, 1.--1N--2//, 1--1N—2-of-a-Major, 1--1N--2. In each case, opener’s rebid was on the two level in a suit higher-ranking than the suit he opened. Notice that 1--1--1 is not a reverse (it is not on the two level). What happens after a reverse? After opener reverses This is a tough area of bidding in that there is no “standard.” It requires study and partnership agreement which is a lot to ask from readers of this book. I will
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 17 explain here a simple (and also the most common) way to handle follow-ups to reverses. But it does take study! If responder raises one pf opener’s suits, it is natural and forcing to game. Examples: 1--1--2--3 or 1--1--2--3. If responder repeats his own suit it shows at least five cards and it is forcing one round. Example: 1.--1--2--2 or 1.--1--2--2. If responder has a poor hand (up to about seven) and wants to maybe get out in a partscore, he bids either notrump or the fourth suit – whichever is cheaper. That last bit is a mouthful. After 1--1--2, what is cheaper…2NT or 3.? Yes, 2NT comes first on the bidding ladder, so that would be a way to say, “partner, I am broke – and might pass your next bid.” Let’s look at some examples of this difficult situation. After 1.--1--2 (a reverse, yes), bid 2 with: QJ74 Q74 762 .J74 (the 4th suit to warn partner you plan to drop him if he doesn’t jump to game); bid 2 with: AQJ74 762 74 .762 (five-plus spades, forcing for now); bid 2NT (natural and forcing) with: KJ74 KQ9 762 .762; bid 3. (a raise and forcing) with: A762 74 Q74 .K762; bid 3 (a raise and forcing) with: KQ74 A9 A762 .762; bid 3 (natural and forcing) with: KQJ1074 A9 74 .Q74. The difference between 2NT and 3NT is too complicated to get into in this book. Let’s examine one more auction with examples. After: 1--1--2, let’s see some follow-ups. Remember that a reverse is forcing one round, so “Pass” is not an option. Bid 2 (five-plus spades, forcing for now) with: KJ1074 A9 762 .A74; bid 2NT, “artificial” with: J762 Q74 QJ9 .762 (this is the cheaper of fourth suit or 2NT and you can pass partner’s next bid); bid 3. with: A762 762 74 .AK74 (natural, forcing); bid 3 (forcing raise) with: KQ74 A9 K74 .8642; bid 3 (forcing, promising four) with: KJ762 A1074 K2 .74; bid 3 (forcing, good six-plus card suit) with: KQJ1074 A9 74 .762; bid 3NT (natural) with: QJ104 Q74 J9 .QJ107. Writing about this reminds me of what my friend Marty Bergen says: “You should pray that when you play or teach bridge that reverses don’t come up.”
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QUIZ What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--2 with: 1) J653 J95 J98 .K32 2) AQJ10972 K2 Q .Q76 3) KJ87 A62 Q103 .KJ2 What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--2 with: 4) KQ765 54 J76 .865 5) AK54 A53 Q43 .K27 6) QJ76 Q32 J32 .876 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--2 with: 7) KJ873 AK76 74 .K2 8) K1076 AK2 KJ2 .432 9) QJ1076 A32 K32 .Q2 What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--2 with: 10) K32 QJ987 K76 .32 11) 654 AK106 A2 .QJ102 12) KQ10 J876 KQ2 .654 ANSWERS 1) 2. Cheaper of 4th suit or 2NT as a prelude to passing opener’s next bid. 2) 3. Natural, good six-plus card suit, forcing. 3) 3.. Natural raise, forcing. 4) 2. Natural, five-plus spades, one round force. 5) 3.. Set clubs as trump (partner has at least five) and soon head towards slam. 6) 2NT. Cheaper of fourth-suit or 2NT; a weak hand that will pass 3. by opener. 7) 3. Natural, four hearts, forcing. 8) 3. Support partner’s known long suit. Forcing. 9) 2. Repeat the five-card suit (part of the system after a reverse). Forcing. 10) 2. Same concept as #3. 11) 3.. Same concept as #6. 12) 2NT. Natural, forcing (the fourth suit, 2 would have been cheaper and was available for a bad hand).
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Responder’s Rebid after Opener’s Jump In the previous section, as responder, we responded on the one-level. Our partner, the opener, reversed. Tough topic. This section, again after our one-level response, opener will show a big hand, but not by reversing (thank goodness). He will be jumping. We will examine what we as responder do after seeing that jump by opener. Opener jumpshifts Let’s start with opener’s jumpshift into a suit which shows 19+. This is the granddaddy (strongest) of all rebids. It would be any of these auctions: 1.--1--2, 1.--1--2, 1.--1--2, 1--1--2, 1--1--3., 1--1--3., 1--1N--3., 1--1--3 of a minor, 1--1N--3-of-a-minor, 1--1NT--3./3/3. In each case, opener has jumped (skipped a level) and changed suit. (Note that opener should never jump and reverse; 1.--1--3 or 1.--1--3 are unnecessary bids). After opener’s jumpshift into a suit (natural, but unbalanced), responder cannot pass. If he does, it could end the partnership. Not only must responder keep the bidding alive, but the partnership is forced to game! Any of responder’s bids are now natural (and of course, game forcing). Here are some examples. After 1--1--2: Bid 2NT with: K2 KJ74 74 .J10762 (you must have the fourth suit stopped); bid 3 with: 762 A762 Q762 .74; bid 3 with: 74 KJ10762 74 .A74 (repeating your suit should show six or more cards); bid 3 with: A762 KQ74 762 .Q9; jump to 4 (weaker than 3) with: K762 K752 74 .762. It is beyond the scope of this book to differentiate between 2NT or 3NT (this is for regular expert partnerships to discuss and agree on). Furthermore, a bid in the fourth-suit would be rare, subject to partnership agreement (some play it as natural, but simpler might be artificial, looking for a stopper). If after a one-level response, opener rebids 2NT (covered in Volume 2), he shows a balanced 18-19. Responder can pass with a dead minimum or bid any game to play there. Anything else is forcing (a convention called “new minor forcing” can be used here). Opener jump-rebids his suit If after a one-level response, opener repeats his suit but does so by jumping to the three level, it is invitational (six-plus cards). Responder can pass with a
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 20 minimum, or raise to game or bid 3NT. If responder does anything else (like repeating his suit), it is forcing. A new suit on the four level would be a control-bid raise. Examples: After 1--1--3: Pass with: A762 9 Q762 .8642; bid 3 (forcing) with: AQJ1074 -- A762 .762; bid 3NT (to play) with: K1094 Q9 KJ10 .Q1096; bid 4. (slam try, heart support, club control) with: Q8642 KJ 74 .AKJ9; raise to 4 with: J762 K2 AQ762 .74; bid 4NT (Blackwood, RKC if relevant) with: AK74 Q74 AQ9 .K74. Opener jump-raises responder’s suit If opener jump-raises responder’s suit to the three level, it shows an invitational hand with four-card support. A jump-raise to three is invitational to game. A jump- raise to game shows even more. After the three-level jump, responder can pass with a minimum, bid game, or try for slam by control-bidding. For example, after 1--1--3, pass with: K762 74 762 .QJ74; bid 3NT with: J762 KQ9 K2 .QJ74; control-bid 4. with: AQ762 762 A74 .K2; bid a spade game with: KQ74 74 74 .K8642. 4NT would be RKC in spades (or plain Blackwood if not using RKC). Opener’s jump-raise to four (1--1--4, for example) is not a “closeout bid.” Quite the opposite. It shows enough to be in game opposite a dead-minimum (like a six-count), so shows roughly 19-20 in support. A follow-up of 4NT would be Blackwood (RKC if relevant). QUIZ What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--3. with: 1) KQ762 65 J65 .852 2) AK72 A84 Q54 .K82 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--2 with: 3) Q107 J1076 32 .QJ102 4) K654 Q765 32 .J32 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--3 with: 5) KJ83 Q965 2 .10962 6) KQJ2 AQ752 95 .83
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What is responder’s rebid after 1.--1--3 with: 7) AQJ42 64 AK62 .92 8) KQ52 AJ6 852 .952 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--4 with: 9) 654 KQ765 3 .J654 10) A2 KQJ5 Q32 .K765 What is responder’s rebid after 1--1--2NT with: 11) QJ76 QJ2 65 .6532 12) KJ8765 2 76 .K1076 ANSWERS 1) 3. If opener has any spade support, he will show it now. Don’t repeat a so-so five-card suit here. And certainly, don’t pass a forcing bid! 2) 3. Fooled you? Same answer as #1. 3 is forcing. You are interested in slam here and will be heard from later. For now, set the trump suit (partner is unbalanced with at least five diamonds). 3) 2NT. Natural. You have garbage, but are not allowed to pass partner’s game- forcing rebid. 4) 4. This is weaker (since you are in a game-force) than 3 (“Principle of fast arrival”). 5) Pass. High enough. Don’t make a bad contract worse by trying 3NT. 6) 3. Natural, forcing. Partner can bid 3NT with clubs stopped. 7) 4. A control-bid looking for slam. 8) 4. Not enough to consider a slam investigation. 9) Pass. Not enough to go further. 10) 4NT. Blackwood (RKC for hearts if you play RKC), likely leading to seven if opener has the right stuff. 11) Pass. This is the only non-forcing jumpshift opener can make. Opposite 18- 19 balanced, you are high enough. 12) 4. Facing a balanced 18-19, this is where you want to play.
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Responder’s Rebid after Responding to 1NT or 2NT In this section, the opening bid was 1NT or 2NT. As responder, we took our first call (usually Stayman or a Jacoby Transfer) and now we examine our second call. As presented in Volume 1, we will assume in this section that 1N--2 shows clubs and 1N--3. shows diamonds (though I wouldn’t spend much mental energy on those two infrequent bids). If the response to 1NT was 2. (Stayman), opener has rebid 2, 2 or 2. Let’s examine each. After 1N--2.--2, responder can pass with a lot of diamonds and a weak hand (example: K762 762 J8642 .7). A bid of 2 (1N--2.--2--2) should be pass or correct. Opener will pass with three hearts, or correct to 2. Bid 1N--2.--2--2 with something like: A762 J8642 9 .762. A bid of 2 (1N--2.--2--2) is typically five spades, not-balanced invitational like: AJ762 Q762 J74 .9 (with five spades balanced invitational, you would have started with a Jacoby transfer). 1N--2.--2--2N is invitational (with at least one four-card major; without one you would have just raised 1NT to 2NT to invite). Examples: Q1074 74 KQ9 .Q762 or K2 KJ87 J2 .J8765. 1N--2.--2--3-of-a-minor should be natural and game forcing (with at least one four-card major). Example: A762 74 AKJ762 .4. 1N--2.--2-3-of-a-Major shows 5-4 in the majors and is game forcing (in “standard” you jump into the five- card major). Example: AQ74 KQ762 9 .762. 1N--2.--2--3N is of course a sign-off. Example: KQ105 KJ74 74 .Q74. After 1N-2.-2-of-a-Major, responder can pass with a minimum and a fit. Example: K762 J762 87642 .--. A raise to 3-of-a-Major is invitational and a jump to 4-of-a-Major is sign-off. To show slam interest in the major, the technically correct bid is three of the other major (example: 1N--2.--2--3) but good luck remembering that! A jump to four-of-a-minor is a splinter raise with slam interest (1N--2.--2--4.). Example: A762 AQ74 KJ74 .4. Don’t get me started on the misuse of Gerber. After opener’s 2-of-a-Major, 2NT (or 4NT) by responder is invitational and 3NT is sign-off. Bidding 3-of-a-minor (1N--2.--2--3-of-a-minor) is natural, game-forcing and likely responder has four in the other major. Example: after 1N--2.--2, bid 3. with: AQ74 9 762 .AKJ74. If the response to 1NT (or 2NT) was 3NT, there won’t be a second call. If the response to 1NT was an invitational 2NT, the only thing to consider is if opener
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 23 bids a suit on the three-level. 1N--2N--3-of-a-minor is a bailout – to play (such as: J9 Q9 KQ74 .AQJ94). Meanwhile, opener’s 3-of-a-Major is forcing offering a choice of 4-of-the Major or 3NT (such as: AQ1074 74 KQ9 .KQ9). If you start with a Jacoby transfer, your follow-ups are: 2NT = invitational, five cards in your major; Bidding a new suit = natural, four-plus cards and game forcing; raising to three of your major is six-plus cards, invitational; 3NT is natural and offers opener a choice of 3NT or four of your major. Examples: After 1N--2- -2: Pass with: KJ762 9 8642 .762; bid 2NT (invitational) with: AJ762 1074 J9 .K74; bid 3. (natural) with: AQ1074 9 762 .AQJ9; bid 3 (natural) with: AQ762 KJ1074 74 .9 (note that this particular auction promises 5-5 since you would start with Stayman with 5-4 in the majors); bid 3(invitational) with: KJ10762 9 762 .K74; bid 3NT (choice of games) with: KQ1074 K74 Q74 .74. If you start with a transfer to a minor (rare), you must have interest in making that minor trump! Don’t transfer if you want to play in 1NT or 3NT! So, if you do transfer to a minor and then you bid 3NT anyway, you must have slam in mind (or you would have just raised 1NT to 3NT). So, if partner opens 1NT and you have: KQ9 Q9 74 .AKJ1074 you can transfer to clubs and then bid 3NT. Change the spades to 762 and you would just raise 1NT to 3NT. Transferring to a minor and then bidding a new suit requires partnership discussion (many experts play it as shortness showing). This is more advanced and complicated than I really want to get in this book. After a 2NT opening, all of the same principles as above apply. 2N--3.--3--3-of-a-Major shows 5-4 in the majors. After 2N--3.--3-of-a-Major, bid the other major to show slam interest. Stayman followed by 3NT guarantees a major(s). Stayman followed by 4N is invitational, also guaranteeing a major(s). Jacoby followed by 3NT is a choice of games.
QUIZ What is responder’s second bid after 1NT--2.--2 with: 1) AJ74 A1074 74 .762 2) KJ762 Q1074 9 .Q74 What is your call after 1NT--2.--2 with: 3) KJ87 2 K1098 .KJ65 4) A2 K987 32 .J10765
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What is responder’s second bid after 1NT--2.--2 with: 5) KJ762 Q1074 9 .Q74 6) AQ74 74 AK74 .K74 What is responder’s second bid after 1NT--2--2 with: 7) KJ765 KJ KJ .8765 8) AQJ76 32 32 .AK102 What is responder’s second bid after 1NT--2--2 with: 9) KQ10762 9 762 .Q93 10) AQ762 KQ74 74 .74 What is responder’s second bid after 2NT--3.--3 with: 11) KJ762 Q1074 9 .Q74 12) AQ74 AJ95 1074 .74 ANSWERS 1) 2NT. Invitational. 2) 2. Five spades, invitational, not balanced. 3) 3NT. Enough for game. Partner will know you have four spades (and will convert to 4 if he also has four spades). If you didn’t have a four-card major, you wouldn’t have used Stayman. 4) 3. Invitational. 5) 4. Same hand as #2, but with the known nine-card fit you have enough for game. 6) 3. Artificial (three of the other major) to set spades as trump and show slam interest. (4NT would be quantitative/invitational). 7) 3NT. Offer a choice between 4 and 3NT. Do not bother mentioning the club suit (that is misleading with a hand with all the value in the doubletons; no interest in making clubs trump). 8) 3.. This time, show the clubs – best to describe further in case your partner has an intelligent idea of where to head. 9) 3. Invitational. 10) This is a trick question. You should have started with Stayman (5-4 = Stayman). If you bid 3 now, you are promising 5-5 in the majors. 11) 3. This hand should look familiar by now! Five spades, four hearts, forcing (if using a convention called “Smolen” you would bid 3 here to play spades from the strong side). 12) 4NT. Invitational.
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Responder’s Rebid after Responding on the Two Level In this section, we are discussing responder’s second bid when his first response was on the two-level (but not a response to 1NT). After responder’s raise If responder has raised from one to two (example 1--2), opener will sometimes try for game (by bidding a new suit). If opener does so (example: 1--2--3.), responder evaluates two things; his holding in the game-try suit and his overall strength. With a maximum (9-10), responder will go to game regardless of holding in the help-suit. Example: After 1--2--3., jump to 4 with: A9 KJ9 J1074 .8642. With a minimum (6-7), responder will likely signoff regardless of his holding in the help suit. Example: After 1--2--3, sign-off in 3 with: Q74 Q94 Q74 .J762. With a medium hand, go to game with help such as a doubleton or singleton in the help suit and four trump. Also, go to game with good honors in the help suit. For example, after 1--2--3, go to 4 with: A74 K1074 74 .J1074 or K2 K76 Q1087 .6542 but sign- off in 3 with: A74 K74 762 .J762. After responder’s weak-jumpshift If responder has jumped (weak), and opener bids again, opener must have a big hand. The only exception is if opener supports; in that case, responder shouldn’t even look at his hand and should pass (example 1--2--3 is sign-off/weak). If opener repeats his suit, he has overruled responder and responder should pass (for example, after 1--2--3, responder should pass). If opener bids a new suit it is forcing with a big hand. Responder can support either of opener’s suits or retreat to his own suit. After responder’s 2/1 GF response Note: This entire book uses the modern method where a two-level response in a suit lower-ranking than the opening bid is GF. So, 1--2., 1--2-of-a-minor, or 1--2-of-any-new suit is natural and GF. The follow-ups are not all universally agreed upon, but in this book, we look at what is the most common method. After 1--2.--2: Opener has shown five-plus diamonds and any strength. Responder will next bid a four-card major if he has one. If not, he can bid notrump, repeat his clubs (showing six or more) or raise diamonds (at least three-card support). So, after 1--2.--2, bid 2 with: A9 A762 74 .KQJ74; bid 2 with: KJ74 9 Q74 .AQJ74; bid 2NT with:
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KQ9 KJ10 74 .AQ762; bid 3. with: AK2 74 Q9 .AKJ1074; bid 3 with: AQ9 74 AQ9 .K10762. After 1--2.--2 of a Major: Opener has four cards in the major (and usually not five diamonds). Responder can raise diamonds or the major (with four), bid notrump (natural) or repeat the clubs (six or more clubs). So, after 1--2.--2, bid 2NT with: 74 KQJ9 74 .AK1074; bid 3. with: 762 74 A9 .AKQ1074; bid 3 with: 74 74 AQ104 .AKJ74; bid 3 (stronger than a jump to 4) with: AQ105 74 K2 .AQJ74; bid 4 (weak/sign-off) with: KQ74 74 74 .AQJ762. After one-of-a-Major--two of a minor–two-of-a-Major rebid (opener has repeated his major showing six or more), responder’s bids are natural (jumping to game in the major is weakest). Examples after 1--2--2, bid 2NT with: 74 KQJ A10762 .K74; bid 3 with: 9 762 AKQ1074 .A74; bid 3 with: A74 KQJ9 AQ105 .74; bid 4 with: J74 74 AKQ762 .Q7. After one of a Major-two-of-a-minor--2NT (opener has a flat balanced hand), bid naturally. Repeat the minor with slam interest and a decent six-plus card suit, raise opener’s major with three (to game with a dead minimum); raise to 3NT with a balanced minimum; raise to 4NT to invite. So, after 1--2--2NT, bid 3. with: A9 9 KQJ107 .AQ762; bid 3 with: AQ 9 K1098762 .AKJ; bid 3 with: 74 KQ9 AKJ762 .A9; bid 3NT with: A9 K2 KQJ104 .J762; bid 4 with: 74 KQ9 KQJ762 .Q9. This covers most of the 2/1 GF auctions. Over anything not mentioned here (such as:1--2.--2), all natural bidding applies, with jumps to game in a suit the weaker action (raises below game are stronger). After responder’s Jacoby 2NT response: After one of a Major--2NT, opener uses conventional response as covered in Volume 2. If opener jumps to four of his major (flat minimum), responder will usually pass, but if he bids on, 4NT is RKC (or plain Blackwood if the partnership isn’t using RKC). Over any other rebid by opener, 4NT is also RKC. Bids in new suits are control-bids showing slam interest and the ace or king (or a singleton or void in the suit bid). For example, after 1--2N--3, bid 4. with: AQ74 74 AKQ9 .K107 to show the club control (even though the diamonds are a better control, the controls are shown in order up the line). Bids of three of the agreed major are stronger than jumping to four of the agreed major.
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QUIZ What is responder’s second bid after 1--2--3 with: 1) Q104 AQJ9 762 .762 2) KQ74 K1074 74 .762 3) Q76 QJ107 102 .KJ102 What is responder’s second bid after 1--2--2 with: 4) A9 KJ74 AKJ74 .74 5) K2 K74 KQ762 .K74 6) J74 K2 KQJ1074 .Q9 What is responder’s second bid after 1--2--2NT with: 7) KQ9 74 KQJ1074 .K2 8) AK2 Q74 AK762 .K2 What is responder’s second bid after 1--2N--3. with: 9) KJ9 KQ74 762 .KJ9 What is responder’s second bid after 1--2--3 with: 10) K2 J109872 2 .7654 What is responder’s second bid after 1--2.--2 with: 11) 82 KJ6 J65 .AQJ43 12) KQ9 J2 KJ8 .K10765 ANSWERS 1) 3. A compromise “retry” with too much for 3, but maybe not enough for 4. 2) 4. Enough (because of the four trumps) to accept any game try. 3) 3NT. Opener has spades and diamonds, you have a maximum with solid stoppers everywhere. 4) 3. A stronger raise than a 4 signoff. 5) 2NT. Natural (if opener bids 3 next he is 5-5 and you can raise to 4). 6) 4. The weakest raise. 7) 3NT. No reason to repeat the diamonds, you surely want to be in 3NT. 8) 3. Set trump, with RKC likely to be in the future. 9) 4. The weakest possible bid (3., shortness does nothing for responder’s already minimum hand). 10) Pass. Partner’s bid is preemptive, not invitational. You would pass with any hand here. 11) 4. Three-card support and a minimum (in context). 12) 2NT. Yes, you have an eight-card fit, but if partner raises to 3NT, that is a fine place to play. If he does anything else, you can raise hearts next and partner will know it is a doubleton.
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Responder’s Rebid after Responding to 2. Partner has opened 2. and we have responded. What about our second bid? We are assuming the most common method of responding (see Volume 1) where 2 is “waiting.” On probably about 90% of the deals, we would have responded 2. Let’s get the other 10% out of the way first. If we have both 8+ HCP and a good five-plus card suit (two of the top three or three of the top five honors), we will have responded in that suit. After 2.--2/2/3./3: Opener and responder both bid naturally and we are in a game force. Jumps to game are the weakest actions. For example, after 2.--2--2: Notrump bids are natural with stoppers in the other suits, bidding 3 is stronger than 4 (raising shows at least three-card support). Examples: after 2.--2--3: Bid 3 with KQJ762 A9 9 .8642; bid 3NT with: KQ1074 K104 9 .J1074; raise to 4 with: AQ1074 74 KQ9 .762; raise to 5 with: KQ1032 J5 Q32 .765. Responder’s second bid after he has responded with 2 After 2.--2, responder could have anything. He could have zero, he could have a flat 12 or even more (never respond in notrump). If opener next bids 2NT, then Stayman and Jacoby Transfers apply – the auction continues as if it were a 2NT opening, but the range is now 22-24. After an unlikely 2.--2--3NT (25-27), Stayman and Jacoby Transfers are still on. So, after 2.--2--2NT, bid 3. with: Q1087 7 Q876 .9873; bid 3 with: 76 Q10876 32 .J1087; raise to 3NT with: Q54 J54 J65 .Q765 or 765 65 975 .KQ1076. If opener shows a suit on his second bid (promising five or more), a new suit by responder would show five or more cards, game-forcing (example: 2.--2--2--3 with something like: 9 AJ762 8642 .762). If responder bids notrump at his second turn, it is natural (game forcing). For example, after 2.--2--2 bid 2NT with: J762 9 Q1074 .Q762. What about raising opener’s suit? If opener shows a suit, a raise would be three- plus card support and game forcing. The most important issue here is raising opener’s major. It is important to know that raising to four-of-a-Major is weaker than raising to three-of-a-Major. 2.--2--2--4 is something like: 762 Q107 74 .J8642. With about 6-7 or more in support, raise instead to
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 29 three-of-a-Major to show some slam interest. Raise to 3 after 2.--2--2 with: A74 K74 74 .Q8642. There is a conventional follow-up (which occurs once every few years) whereby responder can say he is really broke (0-3). That would be to bid the cheapest minor at his second turn. So, 2.--2--2-of-a-Major--3. is artificial and says: “Partner, if you repeat your suit, I might drop you in a partscore.” Note: After 2.--2--2NT--3. is Stayman – not the super-bust hand (with such a hand, responder can simply pass 2NT).
QUIZ What is responder’s second bid after 2.--2--2 with: 1) Q76 AQ7973 K2 .76 2) 5 KQ1076 KJ765 .K2 What is responder’s second bid after 2.--2--2N with: 3) QJ87 Q1065 2 .8753 4) 765432 32 32 .432
What is responder’s second bid after 2.--2--2 with: 5) 7654 4 8765 .5432 6) AJ652 7 7654 .542 7) K65 54 J1076 .Q765 8) A65 A76 KQ32 .432 9) 865 Q108 J7873 .32 What is responder’s second bid after 2.--2--2 with: 10) 2 K97652 Q652 .32 11) Q876 K10762 965 .7 12) Q765 76 8764 .432
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ANSWERS 1) 3. Jumping to 4 would be weaker. Likely Blackwood and a small or grand slam is on the horizon. 2) 3. Natural – no reason to do anything else. 3) 3.. Stayman. “Needing 8 HCP” for Stayman is associated with 1NT – not here! 4) 3. Transfer to 3 and let partner play there (even though it is a level higher, your hand will be worth more in 3 than in 2NT). 5) 3.. Artificial prelude to showing a bust (you have it). You can (and will) pass if partner bids 3. Much as you want to, you are not allowed to pass 2. 6) 2. Natural, five-plus cards, game forcing. 7) 2NT. Natural, game forcing (fewer than three hearts). 8) 3. Stronger than 4. No hurry for Blackwood. Set trumps and have a good auction. 9) 4. Weak with three-plus card support (less than 6-7 in support). 10) 3. Natural, forcing. 11) 4.. Only if your partner will know this is a splinter bid. It is not Gerber! 12) 4. Weaker than 3.
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Responder’s Rebid after Partner’s Opening Preempt
Our partner preempted and we responded. What about our second call? If we raised the preempt, partner won’t bid again. If we later double (the opponents have entered our auction), it is purely for penalty; partner is not to pull. For example, suppose we raise 2 to 4 and the opponents bid 4. We double with: AQ1083 A2 A87 .K103. Partner should not pull (and you should not drool or snap your double on the table). If we have bid a new suit after partner’s preempt, it is forcing (in “Standard”). No matter what partner does, we are now in control. We know partner has a limited hand, so we can stop below game, bid game, look for slam, use Blackwood, etc. After 2--2--3, we can pass (AQJ765 2 A64 .Q62), go to game (A1097653 2 AK2 .A5), or look for slam (AKQ8765 Q2 AK2 .A). If we have responded 3NT to partner’s preempt (to play), he is not invited to the dance. We are in control of the auction (all doubles are penalty). Lastly, what if we have responded 2NT to partner’s weak two bid? Let’s assume we are using “Feature” as discussed in Volumes 1 & 2. Let’s break it down into these two parts: Opener has rebid his suit (a minimum) So, the auction has gone something like: 2--2N--3. Opener has shown a minimum. After that: Pass = to play – a minimum is not what responder was hoping for. New suit = A control-bid with slam interest – this is rare and not worth worrying about. 3NT = Choice of games. Something like: AQJ 87 AQJ102 .KQ3. Opener should go back to his major if he has a shapely hand (something like: -- KQ10965 865 .7652) but should choose to play in 3NT with a balanced hand (such as: 752 AQ10653 93 .102). 4-of-the-Major = to play 4NT = Blackwood (RKC if the partnership uses it).
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Opener has shown a feature (not a minimum) So, the auction has gone something like: 2--2N--3.. Opener has a non- minimum and a high card in clubs. After that: New suit = cards/values – looking for the right contract. 3 of our major = Invitational 3NT = Choice of Games. To play (but opener can pull with a shapely hand) 4 of our major = to play 4NT = Blackwood (RKC if the partnership uses it). For example, after 2--2N--3.: 3 = diamond values/cards-forcing, 3 = invitational, 3NT = desire to play there, 4 = sign-off, 4NT = Blackwood (if using RKC, then the suit opened is trump). QUIZ What is responder’s second bid after: 2--2--3 with: 1) AQ6542 6 A32 .AJ2 2) A1087873 A2 AQJ2 .--
What is our second bid after: 3--3--4 with: 3) AKJ8765 AK KQ2 .2 4) AK8765 Q2 Q92 .AK
What is responder’s second bid after: 2--2N--3 with: 5) A32 Q76 AKJ76 .32 6) KQ10 K2 KQ2 .AQ765 7) AQ 3 KJ2 .AKQ10654 8) AKQ J2 K32 .AKQ32
What is responder’s second bid after 2--2N--3 with: 9) Q42 A2 AQ765 .K32 10) Q KQ2 J32 .AKQJ76 11) Q2 K2 KJ32 .AJ765 What is responder’s second bid after 3.--3--3NT with: 12) KQJ876 AKQ54 5 .3
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ANSWERS 1) Pass. No fit, facing a minimum, this is high enough. 2) 4. This hand is too good to stop short of game. 3) 4NT. Facing one ace, we will drive to slam (with RKC, maybe we have sophisticated enough methods to ask for and find the spade queen). 4) Pass. Partner can’t have enough for slam. 5) Pass. Facing a minimum, it would be too ambitious to bid game. 6) 3NT. With 19 good HCP, you drive to game, offering partner a choice between this or 4. 7) This is a trick question with no answer. You should have responded 3NT (to play) the first time. If you bid 3NT now it is offering partner a chance to go back to hearts, which you don’t want. 8) 4. Slam was possible if partner showed a good hand. Opposite a minimum, slam is out of the picture, so let’s just bid game (not 3NT, since after our diamond stopper is dislodged, we will likely have a heart loser as well; not to mention possibly no entry to the other hand). 9) 4. Partner has a decent hand and likely the K – perfect for 4. 10) 3NT. Facing a decent hand with a diamond honor, this looks like a good contract to attempt. 11) 3. This sequence is invitational; partner can move on if he really likes his hand. 12) 4. Offer a choice between the majors; 3NT can’t be the right contract.
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PART 2
Competitive Bidding
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Responding after the Opponent’s Double of Partner’s 1./1/1/1 Opening
Our partner opened one of a suit and the opponents doubled (takeout). Now what? Pass: Responder is not required to bid. Usually, pass is 0-5, but could be a slightly better hand with nothing attractive to say. Pass after 1--(Double)* with: 654 87432 42 .962 or Q87 Q72 876 .Q654. Don’t make the mistake of “running” or “rescuing” with something like: 9865 6542 2 .10765. If they leave the double in it is up to partner (opener) to run. Your pass does not show a willingness or desire to play in the contract that was doubled. Redouble: 10 or more HCP. Just like the Pass, this doesn’t show a desire to play in partner’s suit. It is just indicating point count. Typically, it means the opponents are in big trouble. Subsequent doubles by either player in the partnership are for penalty. Redoubles usually show balanced hands (see the description of a one- level suit response below to understand why). After 1--(Double), redouble with: AQ92 KJ76 102 .KJ7. One-level suit bid: Six or more points and forcing one round (same as if they had passed). This isn’t a universal agreement, but it is the most common way to play. After 1--(Double), it is nice to be able to respond 1 (forcing) with: 2 AQ10765 A97 .K102. Sure, you could redouble first to show 10+, but the opponents might do some spade bidding that makes the auction get too high before you have even mentioned your excellent heart suit. For that reason, the redouble (10+) is usually a somewhat balanced hand. With 10+ and a good long suit (or a two-suiter) that you can show on the one level it is best to start with it and then show your strength later. 1NT: 6-10 balanced – as if there were no double. However, don’t be in a hurry to make this bid with an ugly six or seven points, especially if vulnerable. It is okay to pass with a so-so hand. With a decent 10 points, redouble is a likely start. With the following 10 points, I like 1--(Double)--1NT as a somewhat preemptive move: K87 K42 Q102 .Q876. Two-level raise: The same as without the double, however you can shade towards the light side. I’d gladly raise 1 doubled to 2 (especially not vulnerable) with as little as: K64 2 J10854 .8654.
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Two-level new suit bid (but not a jump): Natural, Not Forcing. As with a one-level suit bid, this agreement also isn’t universal, but is most common. After 1--(Double), bid 2 with: 65 53 AQ10965 .Q53. Add another king and you would have to start with a redouble. Jumpshift to a new suit: Don’t make such a bid without partnership discussion. Best guess would be “weak” but not everyone plays that way. For example, 1-- (Double), bid 2 with: 982 QJ10872 1054 .2. 2NT: There is no reason for this to be natural (such a hand would redouble). Accordingly, experienced players use it conventionally/artificially. It shows a good (limit or better) raise of opener’s suit. Technically, this is called “Jordan 2NT.” It is alertable. Don’t try such a bid unless you are sure you and your partner have discussed it. If you have this agreement, then a redouble is unlikely to have primary support. After 1--(Double), bid 2NT with: A2 AQ3 J9765 .972. This artificial raise can be made with only three-card support for a major, but typically you’d want at least four to raise diamonds and five to raise clubs. Three-level raise: If you are using 2NT to show a limit (or better) raise, that frees up a three-level raise as preemptive (at least four-card support for a major and likely five-plus card support for a minor). Bid 3 after 1--(Double) with: 5 K1065 862 .J7642. 3NT: This bid doesn’t need to exist. Four-level raise: Weak, usually based on an expectation of 10 trump. Raise 1--(Double) to 4 with: Q10965 2 K10765 .82. *Note: Any time that a bid in an auction is shown in parentheses, it means the bid was made by the opponents. So, (Double) means the opponents are the ones who doubled.
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QUIZ What is your action after 1--(Double) with: 1) Q765 J876 32 .J32 2) A2 KJ87 973 .10832 3) KQJ AQ107 54 .Q1083 4) 2 KJ875 A2 .Q7873 5) J95 Q42 KQ87 .543 6) A2 A4 Q10876 .J543 7) 5 J32 K10875 .8762 8) A3 985 32 .KJ10976 What is your action after 1--(Double) with: 9) J2 QJ5 K1074 .Q1087 10) QJ2 2 Q108762 .543 11) J1087 QJ10762 2 .32 12) Q10876 2 Q10765 .32
ANSWERS 1) Pass. There is no need to speak with this lousy hand. 2) 1. Natural, one-round force (as if there were no double). 3) Redouble. 10+, usually balanced, out for blood. 4) 1. Natural, forcing. Redouble risks making it too hard to show your hand if the opponents start bidding spades. 5) 2. Natural, 6-10. Could this land your side in a 4-3 fit? About 2% of the time. 1NT would also be acceptable. 6) 2NT. Limit raise or better in diamonds (“Jordan”). 7) 3. Preemptive. 8) 2.. Natural, non-forcing. 9) 1NT. Natural, usually not a lousy six or seven, but still roughly 6-10. 10) 2. A bit light, but worth the preemptive effect. 11) 3. Four trumps, preemptive. 12) 4. Five trumps, weak (“Law of Total Tricks” bid).
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Responding after the Opponent’s Double of Partner’s 1NT or Higher Opening bid
After 1NT double If our partner opens 1NT and the opponents double, we need to know what the double means. If it is part of a convention (DONT, for example), the double is presumably not for penalty. If alerted, we check their convention card or ask the partner of the doubler for the explanation. We can ignore a non-penalty (“artificial”) double and play “systems on” (2. is still Stayman, 2/2 are Jacoby transfers, etc.). Redouble can be used as “business” – to say we have a good hand and interest in penalizing the opponents. So, after 1NT (Artificial Double): Pass with: J87 J76 Q654 .876, bid 2. (Stayman) with: K2 Q872 A8765 .J2; bid 2 (Transfer) with: A2 J87653 43 .432, etc. What if the double of 1NT is for Penalty? There are many possible ways to play here, but simplest would be that everything is natural. That way, responder can escape into 2. or 2 as natural bids. The problem with this is that if the partnership isn’t on the same page, an accident awaits. Don’t try redoubling unless you and your partner are sure you know what it means (there are several ways to play it). After 2. is doubled If the opponents double your partner’s strong 2. opening (in which they would be showing clubs), just ignore it and play “system on.” This might not be the best gadget on the market, but it is simplest and when something so rarely occurs, it is best to keep things basic. After 2 or higher is doubled If the opponents double your partner’s 2 or higher preempt, it is for takeout. There are some possible conventions to use here, but in this book, we like to keep things simple. A bid in a new suit would be natural, but not forcing. For example, after 2-- (Double), you can bid 3. with: 862 2 84 .AQJ10763. Raising the preempt is weak (not invitational). Such raises should be based on the Law of Total Tricks. Be willing to raise a two-level preempt to the three level with three-card support and to the four level with four-card support. Raise a three-level preempt to four with three-card support. In other words, with nine trumps for the partnership, go to three and with ten, go to four. Be wary of flat
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 39 hands and being vulnerable; don’t raise 2--(Double) to 3 with junk such as, Q85 762 Q752 .Q54, especially vulnerable! Do, however, raise 2--(Double) to 3 with: K65 2 K8654 .Q973 and raise 3--(Double) to 4 with: A102 65 KQ10875 .96. Don’t try redoubling a takeout double. One of you might think it is business and the other for rescue. Avoid such accidents. If the opponents double a 2NT opening, it would be the first time I’ve ever seen such a thing, so don’t prepare for it!
QUIZ The opponents have doubled 1NT for penalty. What is your call with: 1) 54 654 32 .1087654 2) A654 Q765 32 .J32
The opponents have doubled 1NT artificially. It is alerted (you ask and are told that it shows either minor or both majors). What is your call with: 3) 54 654 32 .1087654 4) A654 Q765 32 .J32 The opponents have doubled partner’s 2. opening. What is your call with: 5) 765 KQJ62 542 .K6 6) KJ65 Q765 J542 .2
What is your call after they have doubled your partner’s 2 opening? 7) 654 KJ2 32 .K10763 8) Q875 -- A432 .J7873 9) AK762 Q1087 -- .10765 What is your call after they have doubled your partner’s 3 opening? 10) K32 4 A87653 .765 11) 6 KQ102 KQ103 .Q1098 12) J2 QJ76 KQ43 .K32
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ANSWERS
1) 2.. Hopefully partner realizes this is natural (no conventions over a penalty double). 2) Pass. Content here. 3) Pass (or transfer to clubs if available). They are likely to take it out if artificial. 4) Pass. Don’t use Stayman when you’re unwilling to invite or unable to pass 2. 5) 2. Five-plus decent hearts and eight-plus points (just ignoring the double). 6) 2. Waiting (just ignoring the double). 7) 3. Raise to the nine-trick level with nine trumps. This is not invitational. 8) Pass. True, they might be leaving the double in, but don’t run from the frying pan into the fire. 9) 4. With 10 trumps and this useful shape, you are okay on the four level. 10) 4. Raise to the 10-trick level with 10 trumps. 11) Pass. The same as had they passed (if you’re tempted to bid 3NT, after you get doubled and go down five, you won’t ever try it again). 12) Pass. No reason to go higher.
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Responding after an Opposing 1 Overcall First, let’s make sure you are on the ball. If the opponents overcalled with 1, what was partner’s opening bid? Okay, you’re awake. So, our one and only start for this section is: 1.--(1)--?? Pass = 0 to about 7 or 8 (or possibly a hand that wants to penalize 1; more on that at the end).
Double = Negative (if this term is totally new to you, you can do an internet search for my name and “Negative Double.”) In this case the negative double guarantees at least 4-4 in the majors. Do not make a negative double here without both majors. How many points? Enough to respond on the one level – so six is enough. Make a negative double with something like: KJ95 Q1065 865 .63. Is there an upper limit? No. You would make a negative double with: A1076 AQJ2 A86 .A4. So, the word “negative” can be a bit confusing. Of course, after doubling with such a hand, you will bid a lot later on. Do not double with diamonds, something like: K2 A32 KQ1065 .432. It is not a penalty double! 1 = six-plus points and four-plus hearts. Really the same meaning as had there been no overcall. Respond 1 with: A2 AQ85 986 .10654 (not double, since you don’t have both majors). Also respond 1 with: 65 K8754 K952 .95 or AK2 AKQ10854 54 .2. 1 = six-plus points and four-plus spades. The same as a 1 response but with spades as your suit. The 1 bidder usually won’t also have four-plus hearts (no negative double), but could have hearts in a very shapely hand like: AQJ876 K754 K2 .5. 1 does not promise five-plus spades; it would be the response with: Q976 102 AQ54 .1065. 1NT = 6-10 balanced with diamonds stopped, no four-card major. Respond 1NT with: Q97 J54 KQ54 .985 or K2 J65 J9765 .K32. 2. = 6-10 and club support (usually five-plus clubs) and no four-card major. Raise to 2. with: 875 54 J53 .AJ865 or 2 653 K276 .K10654.
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2 = Limit raise or better in clubs and no four-card major. Presumably five-plus clubs (since opener might have only three). Cuebid 2 with: A65 54 J32 .AJ654 or 2 AQ4 A765 .K8754. 2/2 = Weak with six cards in the suit (don’t make such a bid without partnership discussion/agreement). 2NT = Same as 1NT (balanced, diamonds stopper, no four-card major) but 11-12 (invitational). Respond 2NT with: K87 K102 KJ2 .J1065 or AQ2 Q82 QJ65 .J54.
3. = Requires partnership discussion. In modern bridge this would be weak (because 2 could be bid with a good club raise). Example: 98 975 K2 .K108754. 3 = Don’t make such a bid (a jump and cue-bid). 3/3 = Weak with seven cards in the suit (don’t make such a bid without partnership discussion/agreement). 3NT = Same as 2NT but with 13-15. Respond 3NT with: K102 QJ6 AQ6 .Q1065 or KJ2 KQ6 KQ4 .10976.
4-of-a-Major = To play, good hand, good suit, but no slam aspirations. Example of 4: AQJ108765 2 4 .875. Trap Pass = With a desire to penalize 1, you can pass and hope that it comes back to partner (opener) and that he doubles for takeout. You can then leave in the double and convert it to penalty. This is most likely to happen if the 1 overcaller was vulnerable. You could pass and hope for a penalty with, say, A65 A2 KJ985 .764.
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QUIZ What is your response after 1. (1) with: 1) J542 Q95 9876 .J2 2) A2 AK3 QJ987 .432 3) AQ2 10876 32 .AK32 4) KQ2 AKQJ10 32 .AK2 5) Q87 J32 QJ87 .K72 6) QJ10876 2 54 .10872 7) KQ10 QJ7 KQ10 .J87 8) K765 10876 KQ2 .A3 9) Q1087 K2 J652 .K32 10) KJ2 Q102 Q1076 .QJ10 11) 10875 AQ76 A2 .654 12) KQ2 AQ KJ1076 .432 ANSWERS 1) Pass. Nothing to say. 2) Pass. Hope partner (who is likely with short diamonds) reopens with double and you can leave it in for penalty. 3) 1. Four-plus hearts, six-plus points (as if there had been no overcall). 4) 1. For now. Big things coming later in the auction. 5) 1NT. 6-10 with diamonds stopped and no four-card major. 6) 2. Weak – something like this (but don’t do it with a partner who might not know). 7) 3NT. Too much for only 2NT (11-12). 8) Double. Indicates 4-4 in the majors – no rush to bid notrump. 9) 1. Four or more spades (don’t double without both majors). 10) 2NT. Natural, invitational, no-four card major, diamonds stopped. 11) Double. To show both majors. 12) Pass. Same as #2.
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Responding after an Opposing 1 Overcall
Like last section, let’s start by making sure you are on the ball. If the opponents overcalled with 1, what was your partner’s opening bid? Right, partner has opened in a minor and your RHO has overcalled 1. What are your options as responder?
Pass = 0 to about 7 or 8 (or possibly a hand that wants to penalize 1; more on that at the end). Double = Negative. This particular negative double guarantees exactly four spades. Not three, not five. Not two, not six. Exactly four! This is etched in stone. The strength is approximately 6+ HCP. You can make a negative double with as little as: QJ92 65 8752 .K65. Is there an upper limit? No. You should make a negative double with: AQ98 AJ2 A765 .A2. So, the word “negative” can be a bit confusing. Of course, after doubling with such a hand, you will bid a lot later on. 1 = 6+ HCPs and five-plus spades. To help remember this, be happy when the opponents overcall with 1. It allows responder to convey right away if he has only four spades, or five or more. Bid 1 (forcing, of course) with: J8765 AK2 875 .54 or AQJ1065 AK2 A2 .76. 1NT = 6-10 balanced with hearts stopped, fewer than four spades. Respond 1NT with: Q87 Q102 KQ65 .1092 or K2 K1065 Q1054 .J65. 2. = If the opening bid was 1., then this is a 6-10 raise (usually with five-plus clubs) and denies four spades. If the opening was 1, then this shows five-plus clubs and 10-plus points (one-round force). Respond 2. after 1.-- (1) with: A2 973 Q76 .J10876. Respond 2. after 1--(1) with: 54 53 A63 .AK9762. 2 = If the opening bid was 1, then this is a 6-10 raise (usually with four-plus diamonds) and denies four spades. If the opening bid was 1., then this shows five-plus diamonds and 10-plus points (one-round force). Respond 2 after 1--(1) with: K65 986 KJ976 .64. Respond 2 after 1.--(1) with: Q2 J65 AQ10854 .K2.
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2 = Limit raise or better in the minor opened. Respond 2 after 1.--(1) with: A6 A83 A52 .A9865. Respond 2 after 1--(1) with: 54 742 AQ102 .AJ76.
2 = Weak, six spades. Don’t make this bid without partnership agreement/discussion. 2NT = Same as 1NT but 11-12 (invitational). Respond 2NT with: K65 K32 KJ2 .J1054 or AQ2 Q54 QJ65 .J32.
3 of a minor raise: Requires partnership agreement. In modern bridge, this would be preemptive (because the cuebid is available to show a limit raise or better). 3 of a new suit = Weak, but don’t make such a bid without partnership agreement. 3NT = Same as 2NT but with 13-15. Respond 3NT with: K102 QJ84 AQ2 .Q105 or KJ6 KQ2 KQ8 .10965. Trap Pass = With a desire to penalize 1, you can pass and hope that it comes back to partner (opener) and that he doubles for takeout. You can then leave in the double and convert it for penalty. This is most likely desirable if the 1 overcaller was vulnerable. You could pass and hope for partner’s reopening double with, say, A54 KJ982 A2 .984.
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QUIZ What is your response after 1.--(1) with: 1) 10876 A2 AQ2 .AQJ2 2) A8765 AK654 32 .2 3) K2 KQ10 AQ32 .J543 4) -- A32 Q654 .KQ8754 5) J76 KJ2 KJ32 .1032 6) K82 KQ1087 A32 .32 What is your response after 1--(1) with: 7) A9876 -- AQ872 .A74 8) J65 KJ9 Q32 .Q1076 9) K32 A2 Q42 .K10765 10) 54 54 AJ765 .10765 11) J876 AKQ AQJ2 .32 12) KQ2 8765 Q2 .10765 ANSWERS
1) Double. Exactly four spades. You will spring to life later; for now, look for the 4-4 spade fit. 2) 1. Five-plus spades. Don’t play for penalties (even if they are vulnerable); this hand has too much offensive potential. 3) 3NT. Make sure to reach game – you’ve reached it. 4) 2. Limit raise or better in clubs. 5) 1NT. Natural, fewer than four spades, hearts stopped, 6-10. 6) Pass. This is the “trap pass,” hoping partner will double (takeout) and that you will leave it in, converting it for penalties. 7) 1. To start (nice that partner will know you have at least five spades). 8) 1NT. 6-10, hearts stopped, not four spades. 9) 2.. Natural, five-plus clubs, 10+ HCP, one-round force. No rush to barge into notrump. 10) 3. Hopefully partner knows this is weak in modern bridge (you’d cuebid raise with limit or better). 11) Double. Guaranteeing exactly four spades and enough to respond. 12) Pass. Nothing suitable to bid.
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Responding after an Opposing 1 or 1NT Overcall After an opposing 1 overcall Our partner has opened with either 1., 1 or 1. The opponents have overcalled with 1. As responder, we can pass with a bad hand (or a penalty/trap pass), bid notrump naturally, or bid a new suit on the two-plus level (showing five or more cards and 10 or more HCP). Also covered in the list below are negative doubles and various raises of opener’s suit. Opener Opponent You 1.// (1) ?? Pass = 0-5 (or possibly a hand that wants to penalize 1; more on that at the end). Examples: 765 Q64 6542 .Q95 or KQ10876 A72 86 .32.
Double = Negative. At least 7-8 points (notice that opener will have to rebid either 1NT or on the two-level, so you don’t want to come in with a lousy six-count). What is promised in the unbid suits? If the opening was 1, the doubler will typically have both minors. If the opening was in a minor, the doubler will almost always have (but not guarantee) four-plus hearts. The negative double can be made with a very strong hand. For example, after 1.--(1) double with: A63 Q762 A762 .74 or 63 AKJ9 A74 .AK74. Double after 1--(1) with: 762 63 A762 .KQJ9. 1NT = 6-10 balanced with spades stopped (fewer than four hearts if a minor was opened, fewer than three hearts if 1 was opened). Respond 1NT with: KJ74 63 KJ9 .10762. 2. = If the opening bid was 1., then this is a 6-10 raise (usually with five-plus clubs) and denies four hearts. If the opening was 1 or 1, then this shows five- plus clubs and 10-plus points (one-round force). Respond 2. after 1.--(1) with: A9 762 Q74 .J10762. Respond 2. after 1--(1) with: 63 Q9 A74 .AQ8642. 2 = If the opening bid was 1, then this is a 6-10 raise (usually with four-plus diamonds) and denies four hearts. If the opening bid was 1. or 1, then this shows five-plus diamonds and 10-plus points (one-round force). Respond 2 after 1--(1) with: 762 63 AQJ9 .8642. Respond 2 after 1--(1) or 1.--(1) with: 74 63 KJ10762 .AKJ.
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2 = If the opening bid was 1, then this shows 6-10 with three-plus hearts. If 1./1 was opened then 2 shows five-plus hearts and 10+ points. Respond 2 after 1--(1) with: 762 KQ9 74 .Q8642. Bid 2 after 1-of-a-minor--(1) with: A9 KQ10762 A63 .74.
2 = Limit-raise or better in the suit opened. Bid 2 after 1--(1) with: 74 A63 AQ74 .A762. Bid 2 after 1--(1) with: 63 AQ9 A762 .J762. 2NT = Same as 1NT but 11-12 (invitational). Respond 2NT with: KJ9 K2 Q1075 .Q1074.
Raise to three: Requires partnership agreement. In modern bridge, this would be preemptive (because the cuebid is available to show a limit raise or better). The raiser should have at least five for a minor-suit raise and four for a heart raise. Example: After 1--(1) raise to 3 with: 9 Q762 Q963 .Q862 or 63 KQ102 87642 .74. 3 of a new suit = Weak, but don’t make such a bid without partnership agreement. 3NT = Same as 2NT but with 13-15. Respond 3NT with: AQ9 K2 KJ74 .J1074. Trap Pass = With a desire to penalize 1, you can pass and hope that it comes back to partner (opener) and that he doubles for takeout. You can then leave in the double and convert it to penalties. This is most likely to happen if the 1 overcaller was vulnerable. You could pass and hope for a penalty with, say, AJ1084 K9 1062 .A42. They overcall with 1NT There are no negative doubles when they overcall with 1NT. Double is for penalty. Examples of a double, say after 1. (1NT): KJ2 Q76 Q762 .J109 or A2 KQJ109 J32 .432. A bid in a new suit is natural (typically at least a decent six-card suit) and NF (with a good hand, you’d start with a double). Examples: After 1--(1NT), bid 2 with: 762 9 KQ10762 .Q74; bid 2 with: QJ10976 2 Q1042 .86.
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A raise is natural/normal (jump raise is preemptive). Raise to 2 after 1--(1NT) with: Q104 2 A9642 .8654. Be wary of raising with a lousy hand and poor trump (don’t raise 1 to 2 with: 542 QJ54 QJ3 .654). There are other possibilities (complexities) here such as defining 2NT as well as using artificial two-suited bids, but this is a KISS book and we’ll leave it at that. QUIZ What is your action after partner’s 1. is overcalled with 1, holding: 1) A2 10765 A2 .AQ1032 2) 542 AK2 A2 .Q10765 3) KQ8 K32 Q832 .KJ3 What is your action after partner’s 1 is overcalled with 1, holding: 4) QJ87 K32 J2 .Q1087 5) KJ9873 A2 4 .K765 6) A2 AQ102 K72 .J765 What is your action after partner’s 1 is overcalled with 1, holding: 7) 863 KJ2 Q5432 .K2 8) 54 AQ2 A765 .K765 9) AQ10 J3 K1076 .J987 What is your action after partner’s 1 is overcalled with 1NT, holding: 10) 4 KQ2 Q10876 .A876 11) 65 KQJ876 2 .10765 12) Q J876 Q765 .J765
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ANSWERS
1) Double. Look for a 4-4 heart fit to start. You can always look for clubs and game/slam later. 2) 2. Limit raise or better in clubs. 3) 3NT. Spades stopped, enough for game. Not four hearts. 4) 1NT. Spades stopped, 6-10, not four hearts. 5) Pass. A “trap pass,” hoping partner will double (takeout) and you can then leave it in, converting it for penalties. Don’t double! 6) Double. Normal negative double (you will drive to at least game later). 7) 2. At the top of your range. 8) 2. Limit raise or better in hearts (you will drive to at least game). 9) 2NT. More descriptive than a negative double. 10) Double. They are in big trouble. 11) 2. Natural, good suit, NF. 12) Pass. Not enough for a penalty double.
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Responding after Opposing Two-plus Level Overcall Our partner opened and the opponents have overcalled on the two level or higher. If the opponents overcall 2. or higher (naturally), double is negative. Example: 1--(2.)--Double with: K2 AJ76 Q765 .432. Suit bids are 10+ points and five-plus in the suit (one-round force). Example: 1--(2)--2 with: KQ1087 32 A32 .A82. A cuebid shows a limit raise or better. Example: 1--(2)--3 with: K1087 K6 AJ2 .10876. A jump raise should be weak. Example 1--(2.)--3 with: 87 765 AQ1076 .432. Notrump bids are natural (2NT is invitational with a stopper). Example: 1--(2.)--2NT with: Q2 KJ2 Q1087 .K976. With a “trap pass,” responder can pass and hope partner reopens with a double (takeout) and then leave it in. That above paragraph is a lot to digest, but really it just follows the same principles as when the overcall was on the one level (see previous sections). Here are more examples to help: After 1--(2): Pass with: Q63 74 Q762 .Q962 or A62 9 KJ1063 .8642. Double (negative) with: AJ74 63 K74 .Q762 or K108642 9 63 .QJ74. Raise to 2 (6-10) with: 762 KJ9 762 .A762 or A762 Q106 74 .8642. Bid 2 with (five-plus spades, 10+ points) AQ1063 9 762 .AJ74 or KQJ1063 A9 A74 .A9. Bid 2NT (Invitational) with: KJ9 63 KJ9 .QJ762 or Q74 Q9 Q1063 .AJ96. Bid 3. (five-plus clubs, 10+ points) with: A74 63 74 .AKQ762 or K63 9 A762 .AQJ104. Bid 3 (limit raise or better) with: K2 KQ9 8642 .AJ74 or A63 A762 A9 .AQ74. Bid 3 (weak) with: 762 Q1074 63 .K762 or 9 A1074 762 .87642. Bid 3NT (enough for game) with: KJ9 Q9 AQ74 .Q1074 or QJ9 J9 KQ9 .KQ984.
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After 1--(3.): Pass with: 9 A74 K762 .Q10762 (Hope opener doubles and then pass it for penalty). Double (negative) with: 74 AQ74 A8642 .74 or 74 KJ76 KJ8762 .4. Bid 3 (five-plus diamonds, 10+ points) with: K74 A9 KQJ1074 .72 or A K2 KQ10762 .8642. Bid 3 (five-plus hearts, 10+ points) with: 83 AJ10762 AK762 .-- or AK2 AQ1084 9 .Q1074. Bid 3 (roughly 8-11 with three-plus spades) with: Q74 A9 K8642 .762 or J762 8642 K2 .A104. Bid 3NT (enough for game) with: 102 KJ9 KQ1074 .KJ9 or Q9 AKJ Q762 .Q1074. Over an opposing Michaels or Unusual Notrump bid Against an opposing two-suited bid, double is penalty oriented. Bidding their suit is beyond the scope of this book (but it’s not natural)! Assume anything else is natural. The two-suited bids are further explained at the bottom of page 62. Partner opened 2. If partner opened 2. and they overcall, you can mostly ignore it. If you bid, you promise a decent five-plus card suit and eight-plus points. The only calls that could cause confusion are pass or double. Although not necessarily best, I would keep things simple and pass with “nothing” and define double as “enough values for game.” Good luck to you and your partner in remembering such an agreement (interference after a 2. opening is rare). Partner opened with a preempt With enough for game, bid game. Otherwise, with support for opener, raise to the three level with nine expected trumps (not invitational) and to the four level with 10. However, be aware of vulnerability and flat distribution. Raise 2 (overcall) to 3 with: 9 Q74 A87642 .762, but not with: J75 J74 J73 .Q762. If they overcall after our preempt, double is for penalty/business. Opener should not pull. New suit bids are natural. Are they forcing? This is a matter of partnership agreement. Assuming both partners can remember any such agreement (a big assumption), my suggestion would be not forcing. So, after 2--(2), responder can bid 3 with, say 74 9 AKQ10762 .762. The main, thing though is to remember that a double is penalty. For example, after 3--(3), double with: KQ987 9 AQ63 .A32.
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QUIZ What is responder’s call after: 1--(2) with: 1) 74 74 AQ74 .AJ762 2) 9 A74 A76 .KQ10762 3) KJ2 86 A765 .K873 What is responder’s call after: 1.--(2) with: 4) KJ2 Q32 A32 .J1076 5) 32 A32 AQ2 .AJ765 6) A765 AQ32 A .K765 What is responder’s call after: 1--(2) with: 7) 76 KJ76 A32 .K1043 8) J2 KQJ KJ98 .KJ76 What is responder’s call after 1--(2) with (their bid shows majors): 9) QJ98 KJ6 A2 .7654 10) Q876 J76 Q3 .Q543 What is responder’s call after 2--(3) with: 11) KJ95 2 A76542 .86 12) -- QJ987 AQ76 .KQ106 ANSWERS 1) Double. Negative double. 2) 3.. Natural, forcing. 3) 3. Limit raise (or better) in spades. 4) 2NT. Natural, NF, spades stopped. 5) 3. Limit raise (or better) in clubs. This is not “asking” for a spade stopper, but partner will likely bid 3NT if he has them stopped. 6) Double. Negative (gotta’ look for that 4-4 heart fit). 7) Double. Much more descriptive than 2NT. 8) 3NT. Enough for game, their suit stopped, not four hearts. 9) Double. Interest in penalizing them. 10) Pass. No reason to come into this auction. 11) 4. Follow the Law of Total Tricks. 12) Double. Penalty. You’ve got it!
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The Opponents Open and We Double A double of the opponent’s opening bid is “takeout” and shows one of two types of hand: 1) At least an opening bid (counting useful distribution) and support (at least three-card) for the other three suits. Usually in the 12-17 range. OR 2) Any hand with 18+ points (counting useful distribution). In this case, the doubler intends not only to double, but voluntarily to make a second call later on. As an example of each type above, a double of 1 could be made with: AQ9 KJ63 74 .K1063 or A KQ9 762 .AKQ1074. With the first example, the doubler likely won’t bid again. With the latter example, the doubler will presumably bid clubs at his next turn. Don’t double a 1 opening (pass instead) with: A74 63 A762 .KQ74. While this hand is an opening bid, it does not have 18+ and doesn’t satisfy the requirement of three-card support for the other suits. Examples after the opponents open 1:
KQ74 J1063 9 .AJ74: Double. A dead minimum, but note that whatever suit partner takes out to, you will put this hand down as dummy where your singleton is worth enough to consider this an opening bid. Q9 AQ74 762 .KJ74. Pass. Enough to open, but there is not support for the other three suits. AQ762 A9 762 .762. 1. Not really enough to open, but you can overcall in the five-card major (since it is only the one level). KJ9 K2 K63 .Q8642. Pass. Not the other three suits and not really enough (with that lousy club suit) for a two-level overcall. KJ9 K2 K74 .AKQ74. Double. Too much to overcall. You don’t need the other three suits when you have 18+. Likely you will bid notrump at the next turn (showing more than a 1NT overcall and diamonds stopped). Versus preempts If the opening bid is a preempt, the same parameters apply, but if borderline (“barely an opening bid”) discretion can be used. The most important feature of a borderline takeout double is “shortness” (fewer than three cards) in the opponent’s suit. So, double their 2 opening with: K1063 9 AJ74 .A1074,
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 55 but not with: KJ9 J63 KQ7 .K643 (an opening bid, but not a hand that wants to get involved at this level). Examples after their 2 opening: KQJ103 AKQ A9 .J74. Double – too much to overcall (this is the 18+ double, so support for all three unbid suits is not needed). AQ9 KJ9 A1074 .K74. 2NT. Yes, it meets the definition of a takeout double, but 2NT (strength of a 1NT opener and hearts stopped) is a better description. AQ63 9 K1074 .K1084. Double. A minimum, but perfect shape. Balancing seat In Balancing Seat (the auction has gone something--Pass--Pass) all of the above parameters are lowered by approximately a king. After 1.--Pass--Pass, double with: K762 KQ63 Q102 .74. Both opponents have bid If the opponents have each bid, double is still for takeout. If they open and raise, a double shows roughly an opening bid (could stretch a bit in this particular situation) and at least three cards in the other suits. After 1--Pass--2, double with: AQ74 63 K1074 .QJ9 or K63 9 A10762 .AJ74. If the opponents have responded 1NT, double is takeout of the suit opened. After 1--Pass--1NT, double with: 9 KJ74 K1074 .AQ74 or 74 AQJ9 AKQ9 .K74. If the opponents have bid two suits, double typically shows four-plus cards in the other two suits (and opening bid strength). After 1--Pass--1, double with: AKQ9 74 762 .AJ74 or J1074 K2 A9 .AQ762. Doubles of high-level openings There is no such thing as a pure “penalty” double. The higher they bid, the less likely you are to have length/strength in their suit. A double of 4 shows something like: A9 AQ74 KQ74 .A74. Double their 5 opening with: AKQ9 AQJ9 74 .AK2. Over such high-level doubles, your partner will usually just pass and hope to set them; he would need lots of shape to try to play on the five level! Next section – we will explore what partner does after your takeout double.
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QUIZ What is your call after a 1. opening on your right? 1) Q1087 A2 Q1087 .AJ3 2) J98765 AK2 A2 .AK 3) KJ98 QJ6 KJ .AJ98 What is your call after a 1 opening on your right? 4) 32 KJ876 KJ7 .Q87 5) 2 K876 Q1087 .AK32 6) 2 KQJ987 A32 .A32 What is your call after a 1--Pass--2--?? 7) KQ32 J2 A64 .K654 8) 54 AQ62 AKJ .J982 What is your call after a 1--Pass--Pass--?? 9) A876 K1065 2 .Q987 10) A87 KQ1054 86 .432 What is your call after a 4 opening on your right? 11) AQ76 32 AK2 .KQ76 12) 86 AQ108 A32 .A432 ANSWERS 1) Pass. If you double and partner bids hearts (likely), you are stuck. 2) Double. And then bid spades (too much to overcall 1). 3) 1NT. Don’t make a takeout double if 1NT is more descriptive/accurate as here. 4) Pass. Not enough for a double or a two-level overcall. 5) Double. Perfect minimum. 6) 2. If you double and then bid hearts it would show more than this. 7) Double. Get in there! 8) Pass. Nice hand, but no suitable action. 9) Double. In balancing seat, add three points – you have plenty. 10) 1. Not the right hand for a takeout double, but definitely for an overcall. 11) Double. Cards/takeout – good hand. 12) Pass. Partner is not a mind-reader – and would take a double out; exactly what you wouldn’t want.
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Partner Has Made a Takeout Double
LHO (left-hand-opponent) opened and your partner made a takeout double. As responder to partner’s takeout double, you must describe two things: Your best/longest suit and your strength. If not sure which suit to pick (equal length), choose the major. After partner has doubled their 1. (and the next player passes), the responder “must” takeout the double. Taking out to a suit without jumping shows 0-8. Jumping (skipping a level) shows about 9-11. Taking out a double to notrump shows their suit stopped (HCP requirements shown below). Here are what the various bids would mean after: (1.)--Double--(Pass)--??
Pass = Very rare. Notice the quote marks around “must” in the previous paragraph. Leaving in a takeout double would require an incredibly strong holding in the opponent’s suit such as:.KQ10762. A Pass would make the contract 1. doubled. You “must” takeout the double, even with 0 points. 1/1/1 = 0-8 counting useful distribution and four-plus cards in the suit (could be three if really stuck, such as: 762 762 63 .87642). Bid 1 with: 762 K74 Q1063 .762; bid 1 with: 74 A8642 63 .J754; bid 1 with: K762 762 A1074 .74. 1NT = 6-10 HCP, balanced, clubs stopped, no four-card major. Remove the double to 1NT with: Q63 762 Q74 .A1063 or K2 KQ9 8642 .J1074. 2. = Bidding their suit is a highly unusual move. It isn’t natural (you would just pass with good clubs), so it is artificial. For simplicity (experts might have more exact parameters) let’s just say it is any hand that wants to be in game (but not sure which game). Bid 2. with: A764 A962 A762 .9 or KQ7 KQ9 AJ74 .762. 2/2/2 = Approximately 9-11 counting useful distribution (invitational) and four-plus cards in the suit. Bid 2 with: A63 K74 QJ1063 .74; bid 2 with: A9 KQ109 74 .J8642; bid 2 with: 108642 K2 A63 .Q74. 2NT = 11-12 HCP, balanced, clubs stopped, no four-card major. Remove the double to 2NT with: KJ Q74 KQ104 .J983 or 753 762 AQJ .AJ94. 3. = Don’t make such a bid. 3/3/3 = Highly invitational and five-plus cards. Example of 3: A9 KJ1063 9 .J8642.
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3NT = 13+ HCP, balanced, clubs stopped, no four-card major. Bid 3NT with: KJ9 J74 A1063 .KQJ or K2 K8 AQJ74 .J1074 4/4 = To play – a hand good enough for game, usually with five-plus cards in the suit bid. Bid 4 with: 63 KQJ1074 AQ9 .74; bid 4 with: QJ10762 9 AK97 .74. After preempts If the opponents have preempted and partner has doubled, the same ideas as above apply. Over (2)--Double--(Pass), bid 2 with: 8642 762 762 .762; bid 2NT with: 762 AQ9 762 .K762 (note that this isn’t 11-12 because it is not a jump), bid 3 with: KQ1063 A74 8642 .7; bid 3NT with: K2 KQ10 AQ1074 .J74; bid 4 with: KJ762 74 AQ74 .K2. If partner doubles their high-level opening, remove only with very unusual shape. After (4)--Double--(Pass), pass with: J74 Q762 K762 .74, but pull to 5 with: 9 A108642 Q74 .762. Free bids If their responder bids after your partner’s takeout double, you are “off the hook.” Example: (1)--Double--(1)--??. You no longer have to take out the double (you can pass with garbage). Accordingly, you won’t bid with zero. Bidding (without jumping) typically shows about 5-8 and the other meanings remain unchanged. If you double, after they raise {(1)--Double--(2)--Double}, that shows about seven-or-more points and is not for penalty. If you double their new suit, for this book let’s presume it shows that suit (penatlyish) and about seven- plus points. So, after (1)--Double--(1): Pass = 0-5 Examples: Q762 762 754 .762 or 762 A1074 762 .J74. Double = “penalty” Example: 74 AQ1074 K74 .762. 1 = 5-8 a “free bid.” Example: J1074 A9 Q762 .762. 1NT = still shows values (6-10), and stoppers in both of their suits. Example: 762 KJ9 KQ103 .762. 2. = 5-8 a “free bid.” Example: 74 A74 762 .A8642. Cuebids = Strong hands (don’t get too concerned about these as there are two of them and it can be confusing). Single Jumps = 9-11 invitational. 2NT/3NT as if their responder had passed, but have both of their suits stopped.
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QUIZ What is your call after (1)--Double--(Pass) with: 1) 542 965 7654 .432 2) AQ987 54 765 .K32 3) K2 KQ2 KJ9 .QJ752 4) A4 A95 QJ10985 .42 What is your call after (1)--Double--(Pass) with: 5) K2 KQ97 J54 .10765 6) KQJ987 432 A32 .2 What is your call after (1)--Double--(Pass) with: 7) Q1092 KQ AJ76 .432 8) 765 A2 AQ87 .AJ106
What is your call after (2)--Double--(Pass) with: 9) KQ108 86 A765 .J104 10) K32 KQJ AQ32 .J32 What is your call after (1)--Double--(1) with: 11) A32 J7654 J95 .86 12) KJ3 KQ109 QJ3 .876 ANSWERS 1) 1. Don’t pass out of fright (and go -340 or so). 2) 2. Four-plus spades and about 9-11. 3) 3NT. Enough for game, and no compelling reason to try to reach clubs. 4) Pass. A rare example of a penalty leave-in. 5) 1NT. Roughly 6-10 with hearts stopped. 6) 4. Where you want to be. 7) 2NT. Natural, spades stopped, invitational to game. 8) 2. You could just guess some final contract, but what? You want to be in game, but don’t want to bid five-of-a-minor, nor 3NT (no spade stopper). This cuebid shows a big hand (and we defined it above as game forcing). 9) 3. Invitational (too much for only 2 which could be a zero-count). 10) 3NT. Make sure to reach game. 11) Pass. No need to bid here. 12) 2NT. Invitational with both of their suits stopped.
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The Opponents Open and We Overcall
Overcalling on the one level A one-level overcall shows at least a five-card suit (very rarely a great four-card suit). The HCP range is approximately 8-17. With more, don’t overcall (start with a double). Here are some examples after the opponents have opened 1.: AQ762 K102 654 .86: Overcall 1. This is a minimum. If vulnerable, it is borderline, but would be clearer if the spades were better, something like: AQ1097 K102 654 .32. KJ4 Q54 J6432 .Q2: Pass. This is a five-card suit and 9 HCP, but judgment is needed (the suit is lousy and the hand is lousy). A4 KJ9765 AK3 .J2: Overcall 1. This is a maximum, but not strong enough to double and then bid hearts. 654 AQ762 AKQ2 .3: Overcall 1. Yes, there is shortness in the opponent’s suit, but doubling will lead to a 1 contract opposite, say: Q732 KJ3 86 .J765. Overcalling 1NT shows a hand that would have opened 1NT (but must have the opponent’s suit stopped). Overcall their 1 with 1NT holding: KJ9 K63 K74 .AQJ9 or Q104 Q9 KQJ104 .AQ9. Overcalling on the two-plus level A two-level overcall has a higher minimum than a one-level overcall. It is roughly opening bid strength and the suit should be decent. Don’t overcall with a so-so five-card suit and a so-so 11 count. Examples after their 1: 54 432 A2 .AKJ987: This is a fine 2. overcall in all respects. Q54 KJ765 Q54 .K2: This is a pass. Don’t overcall 2 with this so-so hand and so-so suit. On the three level or higher, you want to have even a little more; at least opening bid strength and a decent suit would be typical. After their 2: Overcall 3 with: A2 AQ1076 86 .AQ32, but pass with: J42 AJ765 K102 .K2.
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Jump overcalls An overcall that skips a level is weak. A jump overcall to the two-level is like a weak two opening and a jump overcall to the three level is like a preemptive three opening. Examples after they open 1: KQ9863 32 K32 .32: Jump to 2. If vulnerable, you might want to have a little more (KQJ1084 32 K32 .32). 4 32 763 .KQJ10876: Jump to 3.. If vulnerable, you might want to have a little more (4 4 J1076 .KQJ10876). Versus preempts Use the same guidelines as above (overcalling on the two+ level). You can’t “preempt a preempt.” Accordingly, jump overcalls show intermediate hands (and decent six-plus card suits). Over their 2, bid 3 with: AQJ10987 A2 K32 .2. 2NT/3NT overcalls of a preempt are natural. Our 2NT overcall shows roughly 15-18 with their suit stopped. Over their 2, overcall 2NT with: K2 KJ9 AQ1074 .KJ9. A 3NT overcall of their weak two-bid is “to play” – a very strong hand that wants to be in 3NT. Over their 2, overcall 3NT with: K2 K7 K2 .AKQ10762 or KQ9 K2 AQ1063 .AKQ. If they preempt on the three level, 3NT is also to play. It could be made with either of the hands just shown, or much less, for example, KJ9 K2 AQJ105 .A107. After a four- level preempt, double shows a good hand (intended as takeout). A 4NT overcall of any preempt shows a good hand and a two-suiter with at least 5-5 (presumed to be the minors). Two-suited overcalls This book is meant to be basic, but curious readers can Google “Unusual Notrump” and “Michaels” bids to explore conventional two-suited overcalls. In a nutshell, these conventions employ a way to show at least 5-5 in two suits. A jump overcall of 2NT shows the two lowest unbid suits. A cuebid (bidding their suit) shows the Majors (if 1.--2. or 1--2). If 1--2 or 1--2, the cuebid shows the other major and either minor.
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QUIZ What is your call after their 1 opening with: 1) K2 K1087 A765 .QJ2 2) KQ7654 AK2 AK .82 3) KJ65 KJ7 AJ2 .KJ9 4) 876 KQJ76 2 .AQ32 What is your call after their 1 opening with: 5) AQJ102 54 J1032 .32 6) AQJ 54 K8765 .432 7) KQJ876 32 2 .10987
What is your call after their 2 (weak) opening with: 8) Q7654 Q76 Q2 .KQ2 9) KQJ1082 A32 95 .AQ What is your call after their 3 opening with: 10) K8762 K54 Q5 .A32 11) AQ K32 AKQJ7 .J43 What is your call after 1--Pass--1 with: 12) A2 KQ10876 A2 .J76 ANSWERS 1) Pass. Don’t double without support for the other three suits. 2) Double. Too strong to overcall. You will double and bid again. 3) 1NT. Don’t double when 1NT is available (more descriptive). 4) 1. Better to get the five-card major in (not strong enough to double and then bid hearts). 5) 1. A normal minimum. 6) Pass. Not enough hand/suit to overcall on the two level. 7) 2. Like a weak two-bid. 8) Pass. Not enough for a two-level overcall. 9) 3. Intermediate (you can’t preempt a preempt). 10) Pass. Not enough for a three-level overcall. 11) 3NT. Hopefully partner has a little something. 12) 2. This wasn’t exactly covered above, but overcalling in this situation follows the same rules. This is enough for a two-level overcall.
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Our Partner has Overcalled In this section, we will be responding to partner’s overcall. The modern term for this position is “Advancer.” “Advancing” an overcall is similar to responding to partner’s opening bid. When partner opens, he has approximately 12-20 HCP. When partner overcalls, he has approximately 8-17 HCP (if on the two level or higher, more like 12-17 HCP). When partner overcalls, we expect at least a five- card suit. Because of the difference in range and length (from, say, a 1. opening), the schedule of responses is a little different. Also, there is no “one way” to play, but I am showing below the most common way, or certainly one of several playable ways. Partnership agreement is required. Let’s start with a sample auction of a 1. opening by the opponents and a 1 overcall by partner: (1.)--1--(Pass)--?? Pass = 0-8 You don’t have to bid after partner’s overcall. Pass with: A762 63 Q1074 .J63 or K2 74 K762 .87642 (with both of those hands, you would have responded 1NT to a 1 opening). 1 = Five-plus spades non-forcing (some players treat a change of suit as forcing, especially on the two-level, but you have to agree on something, and this is a playable suggestion). Notice that changing suit requires at least five cards. Bid 1 with: AQ1063 A9 Q762 .74 or KQJ1063 9 K107 .J74. 1NT = 8-12 (very approximate) and their suit stopped. Respond (“advance”) 1NT with: KJ9 9 K762 .K10762 or QJ9 Q9 10762 .K1074. 2. = Cuebid (artificial) showing at least 10+ in support of hearts and three or more hearts. Examples: Q9 A74 AQ762 .J74 or AQ9 A8642 AK2 .74. 2 = Five-plus diamonds non-forcing (some players treat a change of suit as forcing, especially on the two-level, but you have to agree on something, and this is a playable suggestion). Bid 2 with: K62 9 AKJ106 .9742 or Q762 63 AK10862 .7. 2 = Three-plus hearts, approximately 6-10 – like raising a 1 opening. Advance to 2 with: K762 K74 K63 .762 or 74 AJ9 Q1063 .J1074. 2 = Five-plus spades, forcing. This jump also can be played in other ways. Since we are defining a new suit as NF, we will define a jump to a new suit as forcing. Bid 1 with a so-so hand. Bid 2 with: AQJ107 9 AK74 .A63 or
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KQJ1074 K2 KQ9 .K2. Again, there is no “standard” here – I am just trying to provide something simple and playable.
2NT = 12-14 (very approximate) and their suit stopped. Advance 2NT with: K63 Q9 KQ74 .K1063 or AJ9 74 KQ63 .QJ107. 3. = Jump cuebid. Down the road you can define this (or Google “Mixed Raise”). 3 = Same as 2 but forcing (not a likely bid to make).
3 = Four-plus hearts, weak. In modern bridge, jump raises are weak (cuebid 2. with a limit or better raise). Jump to 3 with: 762 Q1074 9 .K10762 or 74 KQ103 108642 .74.
3NT = 15-17 (approximate) and their suit stopped. Jump to 3NT with: KQ10 J2 AQ65 .QJ103 or AQ9 A9 J1074 .KQ87. 4 = Usually five trumps, but no slam interest. Jump to 4 with: A74 Q10762 9 .8642 or 9 K8642 A8642 .74. After partner’s two-level overcall Note that a two-level overcall is not some junky hand with a lousy suit. The requirement is roughly an opening bid and a decent suit. All of our advances have the same meaning as after a one-level overcall, but we are facing a better hand, so don’t need as much to look for game. After (1)--2--(Pass)--? Pass with: Q74 9 K762 .Q8642 (partner has an okay hand, but where are we going?); Cuebid 2 (Limit raise or better) with: 762 KQ9 AQ74 .Q74; bid 2NT (natural, invitational) with: AQ9 Q9 J1074 .Q762; bid three of a minor with a good hand and a decent five-plus card suit (forcing); raise to 3 (invitational) with: 762 KJ74 74 .A762; bid 3NT with: KQ107 J9 KJ74 .KJ9; raise to 4 with: 74 A8642 74 .A1074. After notrump overcalls System on. If partner makes a natural notrump overcall, respond as if he opened that number of notrump (clubs for Stayman and Jacoby Transfers). If he overcalls with 1NT, then 2. is Stayman and 2/2 are transfer. Or (2)--2NT--(Pass): 3. = Stayman, 3 = Transfer to hearts, 3 = Transfer to spades.
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After two-suited overcalls If partner shows minors, choose your longest minor (bid clubs with equal length). Jumps below game are weak. If partner uses Michaels, pick one of his suits (or bid notrump to ask him for his minor). Jumps below game are weak. For example, after (1)--2--(Pass)--?? bid 2 with: 762 KQ762 Q74 .74; bid 2NT (what’s your minor) with: 9 J87642 J74 .J74; bid 3 (weak) with: Q1074 KQ762 9 .762; bid 4 with: AQ74 A762 Q762 .4. QUIZ What is your call after (1.)--1--(Pass) with: 1) KJ76 102 Q65 .QJ108 2) AQ7 K2 K1065 .KJ108 What is your call after (1)--1--(Pass) with: 3) 54 AQJ108 A654 .86 4) Q102 2 J765 .K10765
What is your call after (1)--2--(Pass) with: 5) 10876 AQ2 A2 .10765 6) KJ9 K2 Q1076 .AJ32 What is your call after (2)--2--(3.) with: 7) 8 10876 K76 .Q9876 8) KJ62 8765 J876 .2 What is your call after (1)--1NT--(Pass) with: 9) 76 Q108762 86 .AJ10 10) J1097 J1076 J8762 .-- What is your call after (1)--2--(Pass) with: 11) Q2 3 J8765 .QJ987 12) KJ98 432 32 .10876
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ANSWERS 1) 1NT. Approximately 8-12 balanced with their suit stopped. 2) 3NT. To play--and quite a good hand (partner could have only 8 or 9 HCP). 3) 2. We defined it as NF, but that’s fine. 4) 2. Remember to support with support. 5) 2. Limit raise or better. 6) 3NT. Worth game facing a two-level overcall. 7) Pass. Even if double were penalty, you’d need more. 8) 3. Enough in support to make this raise. 9) 2. Transfer to hearts and then invite with 3 (or, you could insist on game). 10) 2.. Stayman, and pass whatever partner bids. 11) 2. Choose one of partner’s majors (don’t show your clubs or pass). 12) 3. Preemptive with the known nine-card fit.
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Opener’s Rebid after Responder’s Negative Double We’ve opened, they’ve overcalled and Partner made a negative double (this was covered earlier in the book). What do we do next as opener? Our rebid will follow a plan similar to the one we would make after opening and seeing partner respond. Opener can bid a new suit (especially one implied by the negative double), repeat his own suit (typically showing six or more), or bid notrump (natural). With extras, opener must jump. Here are examples with meanings. We’ve opened 1., they’ve overcalled 1 and partner has made a negative double (typically showing hearts). 1.--(1)--Double--(Pass)--?? Now:
Pass: Very unlikely. We’d end up defending against 1 doubled! Maybe if they are vulnerable, we can try this unusual stunt with something like: KQJ10 9 A762 .AK74. 1NT: Natural, presumably spades stopped, unlikely to have four hearts, minimum hand. Examples: Q1063 K2 KQ9 .K762 or Q74 J63 AK2 .QJ107. 2.: Natural, six-plus clubs, minimum (as if it went 1.--1--2.). Examples: A74 63 74 .AQJ762 or J762 9 AK .KJ8642. 2: Natural, four-plus diamonds, minimum. This is a situation that rarely comes up (the opening often would have been 1), but if you forced me to give an example, how about: 762 A AQ63 .Q8642 (I would have opened 1, but some players open 1.). This is not considered a “reverse.” 2. Natural – like raising a 1 response to 2. Examples: 74 AQ63 A74 .K762 or K762 KQ63 74 .A74. Note that this shows a minimum opening and is not considered a “reverse”. 2. Cuebid. Some big hand. 2NT. Natural, 18-19 with spades stopped. Akin to 1.--1--2NT. Examples: KQJ A9 AJ9 .KJ762 or AJ10 762 KQ9 .AKJ9. 3.. Same as 2. but with extras/invitational. Examples: A63 9 A74 .AKJ762 or 63 A9 A10 .AQJ8642. 3. Not a likely bid, but natural. 3. More than a 2 bid. Similar to 1.--1--3. Examples: AJ9 AQ74 9 .A10762 or 8642 KQ102 A .AQ74. 3NT/4 -- To play (very strong hands).
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Here are examples after 1--(1)--Double--(Pass)--?? (where responder guarantees exactly four spades): Pass: Too unlikely to consider (although there is an example above – one is enough!) 1: Likely four spades, but could be three if stuck. Minimum opener. Examples: A762 K63 Q762 .K2 or K74 63 AJ762 .A74. 1NT: Natural, presumably hearts stopped, not four spades, minimum hand. Examples: Q74 KJ63 Q762 .AJ or K2 KQ9 J10762 .K105. 2.: Both minors, minimum hand, not four spades, not suitable for 1NT rebid. Examples: 74 A9 KQ1063 .A762 or 74 762 AK74 .AQ74. 2: Natural, six-plus diamonds, minimum, not four spades. Examples: K2 K74 AQ10762 .74 or 9 A74 KQJ762 .K74. 2: Cuebid. Some big hand. 2: As if it went 1--1--2 but towards the high end. (Note some experts play the 1 and 2 rebids by opener a little differently, but we are keeping it basic). Examples: AQ74 A9 K762 .J74 or KQ107 9 KQ1074 .K74. 2NT: Natural, 18-19 with hearts stopped. Like 1--1--2NT. Examples: K2 KQ9 KQ762 .AJ9 or 762 AQ9 AQJ9 .AQ9. 3.: Both minors, extra values. Examples: A 762 AQ762 .AQ74 or A9 9 AK1074 .KQ762. Not forcing. 3: Same as two diamonds but extra values. Examples: A9 74 KQJ10762 .A9 or A9 9 AQ108642 .A74. 3: Don’t make such a bid. 3: Four spades, highly invitational. Example: KJ74 AJ KQJ9 .QJ9 3NT/4: To play (very strong hands). QUIZ What is your rebid as opener after 1.--(1)--Double--(Pass)--?? with: 1) KJ74 K2 Q762 .K74 2) A A1074 A762 .K762 3) Q87 J76 Q107 .AKJ2
What is your rebid as opener after 1.--(1)--Double--(Pass)--?? with: 4) A1074 A K2 .AQJ1074 5) Q K2 A74 .AKQ8642 6) Q2 876 A2 .AQ10764
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What is your rebid as opener after 1--(1)--Double--(Pass)--?? with: 7) A32 Q765 KQ102 .Q2 8) Q1087 KQ AQ82 .KQ2 What is your rebid as opener after 1--(2.)--Double--(Pass)--?? with: 9) KJ74 K8642 K2 .K2 10) K2 K8642 AJ9 .QJ9 What is your rebid as opener after 1--(3)--Double--(Pass)--?? with: 11) AQ1074 KJ74 74 .K2 12) KQ762 Q9 Q107 .K74
ANSWERS 1) 1. Partner has guaranteed both majors. 2) 2. Too much for only 1. 3) 1NT. No major to bid. This shows a balanced minimum, presumably with their suit stopped. 4) 4. Enough for game; partner has guaranteed four spades. 5) 3NT. Looks like the place to be. 6) 2.. Six or more clubs and a minimum. 7) 2. Minimum – this is not a reverse; it is like raising a 1 response to 2. 8) 2NT. 18-19 balanced, spades stopped, not four hearts. 9) 2. Don’t consider this a “reverse” – it doesn’t show extras. 10) 2NT. Not thrilled, but the least-bad choice. 11) 3. Delighted they dealt me four of them. 12) 3NT. Same comment as #10.
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Opener’s Rebid after the Opponents Interfere We’ve opened and received interference. Let’s break this down into several categories. We open and LHO enters the auction Part 1) Our partner responds. Let’s consider an auction such as: 1--(Double)--1--(Pass)--?? In this case, we completely ignore the double and make our rebid as if there had been no interference at all. Next, what about something like: 1.--(1)--1-- (Pass)--?? Again, we rebid as if the opponents had passed, but we do have a new bid available; a cuebid of their suit. For the purpose of this basic book, I suggest not using such a bid (only to confuse your partner). If you were to make such a bid, it surely wouldn’t/shouldn’t be natural – it would have to show some big hand. Part 2) Our partner passes. What if it goes: 1--(Double)--Pass--(1 something)--?? Our partner doesn’t have much, so for us to take a second call, we would need a good reason. Don’t bid again with a minimum. Anything opener does here is natural, but shows extra values. For example, after 1.--(Double)--Pass--(1)--??: Don’t rebid 1NT with a flat minimum (in fact, volunteering 1NT here would actually show 18-19)! Don’t repeat your suit or bid a new suit unless you have a good/shapely hand (more than a minimum). Let’s now consider this common auction: We open, LHO overcalls and it is passed back to us. For example: 1--(1)--Pass--(Pass)--??. In this case, partner is usually broke, but occasionally has what we call a “trap pass.” He wanted to double 1 for penalty, but couldn’t (because we use negative doubles). Accordingly, it is our job to let partner convert his trap pass for penalty. We can double (takeout) and he would leave it in. The rule of thumb is that when opener has a singleton in the opponent’s suit, he “always” reopens with a double for takeout. So, on the auction above, opener would double with: A762 9 A8642 .KJ9 or KQ9 9 KQ7652 .Q104. Note the quotes around “always.” I wouldn’t double (having no interest in defending) with something like: 4 9 AKQJ1063 .A762 (I would cuebid 2 or jump to 3). If opener is void in their suit, he can double, but likely will end up on defense with a void – so I would rather bid 2 on the auction above with: K74 -- KQ108642 .K63 (no interest in defending). With a doubleton in their
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 71 suit, opener can also reopen with a double, but might not do so with a dead minimum. Even if they preempt, opener’s reopening double is takeout. If the opponents both bid, double is still takeout. So, in either of these auctions, opener is short in their suit(s): 1--(1)--Pass--(2)--Double or 1--(1)--Pass--(1)--Double. We Open, LHO passes, but RHO enters the auction Part 1) Our partner has responded. We are considering something like: 1--(Pass)--1--(2.). Opener rebids pretty much as normal, but has a few other options such as: A) Pass. Opener is no longer forced to bid, and can pass with nothing special to say. Example: A762 J9 AQJ9 .J74. B) Double. This is something you don’t want to try without partnership agreement/discussion. Most experts use it conventionally to show three-card support (“Support Doubles.”) C) Cuebid. Another thing to avoid, unless you want to confuse your partner. Part 2) Our partner has passed. We are considering 1--(Pass)--Pass--(1)--?? This brings us back to earlier in this section, where opener shouldn’t speak again unless he has extra values. Double would be for takeout of their suit. 1NT would show 18-19 (with 12-14 balanced, opener passes). Example of a double: 9 AQ74 AK762 .A74. Example of 1NT: KQ9 K2 KQ1063 .AJ9.
QUIZ As opener, what is your call after 1.--(1)--1NT--(Pass)--?? 1) 9 AQ74 KJ9 .K10762 2) A9 63 Q74 .KQ9874 3) J KJ A32 .AKJ7654
As opener, what is your call after 1--(2)--Pass--(Pass)--?? 4) 762 KQJ10762 -- .AQ9 5) A63 AQ762 9 .Q1074 6) Q7 KQ765 K76 .K42
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As opener, what is your call after 1.--(Double)--1--(2)--?? 7) K2 KQ74 K63 .Q762 8) Q1074 63 A74 .AQ74 9) K2 KJ 653 .AQ7654 As opener, what is your call after 1--(Pass)--Pass--(1)--?? 10) KQ108 63 AKQ1074 .5 11) A1063 9 AK1063 .AQ9 12) A2 2 KQJ98 .AJ1087
ANSWERS 1) Pass. Partner has spades stopped; no need to run from 1NT. 2) 2.. Long clubs and a minimum. No, this is not Stayman! 3) 3NT. Expecting to make it. 4) 2. Yes, partner might be dying for a double, but this hand is all offense. 5) Double. Short diamonds mandate this action. 6) Pass. No reason or need to bid again. Partner won’t have much. 7) Pass. Nothing to say. Volunteering a bid here (other than a raise) would show extras. 8) 2. Support with support. 9) Pass. You would need extras (and don’t have them) to go to the three level. 10) 1. Worth it. You wouldn’t do this with a flat minimum. 11) Double. The perfect hand for this (takeout, extras). 12) 2.. What it looks like. You wouldn’t bid here with a dead minimum.
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Conventional Interference It is hard enough to learn conventions. Knowing what to do when the opponents interfere with them is even tougher. There are a few situations in this section that will occur frequently. Being prepared for interference is part of learning any convention. Interference after Stayman If we open 1NT and partner responds 2., what if the next player comes in? Any bid shown in parentheses means it is by the opponents. For example, 1NT--(Pass)--2.--(2). To keep things simple, let’s agree that opener can double with hearts (penalty). Opener may (but doesn’t have to) bid 2 with four spades. Opener can also pass (there is no longer a need to answer to say “no four-card major”). So, double 2 with: A2 AJ87 K32 .A1076, bid 2 with: AJ87 A2 K32 .A1076 and pass with: A95 K2 K765 .KQ87. Interference after a Jacoby Transfer The most likely interference after partner’s Jacoby Transfer is a LDD (Lead- directing-double). For example, 1NT--(Pass)--2--(Double). The opponent’s double means they have hearts and want a heart lead. Now what? Do you still have to accept the transfer and bid 2? No! Partner gets another chance to bid. You can pass. What would pass mean? It would not say that you want to play in 2 (quite unlikely). The simplest/best thing to do here (assuming the partnership can remember) is that accepting the transfer (bidding 2) promises at least three-card spade support. Pass shows only two spades. So, after 1NT--(Pass)--2--(Double), Pass with: Q7 A76 AQ76 .KJ76, but bid 2 with: Q107 A76 AQ6 .KJ76. If you want redouble to be for business, that is okay, but risky. Maybe you would redouble with: A2 AQ108 AK2 .8765. If the opponents overcall after partner’s transfer, opener will usually pass (remember that responder could have zero points). To accept the transfer (and it would have to be on the three level once they interfere), opener must have both a maximum and four-card support. So, after 1NT--(Pass)--2--(3.), pass with: K65 KQ6 AQJ2 .J32 but bid 3 with: KQ107 AKJ6 A82 .102. Lead-Directing Doubles Any time you make an artificial bid and the opponents double, it is lead-directing. Generally, you should ignore their lead-directing doubles. More importantly, make sure you and your partner know that if you double the opponent’s Stayman
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 74 bid (2. or 3.) or their transfer bid or Blackwood response (and many more conventional artificial bids) that you are showing that artificial suit and suggesting that partner lead the suit. For example, double after (1NT)--Pass--(2.), double with:876 765 32 .AQJ109; after (1NT)--Pass--(2), double with: J76 AK1087 A2 .765. Also, double after (1)--Pass--(3)--Pass--(4NT)-- Pass--(5.) with: 654 J82 J765 .AK7. To double for the lead on a low level, you should have not only a good suit, but at least five cards in the suit (otherwise, the opponents could redouble and play there!). At a higher level (like after their Blackwood response), you don’t need length in the suit (they are not playing in that suit). Interference after our Blackwood There is a mnemonic called DOPI (among others) where the letters stand for Double = 0 and Pass = 1. For example, 4--(Pass)--4NT--(5): Double = 0 aces (or “keycards”) and Pass = 1. There are lots of variations and it never comes up. I find it impractical to have an agreement because when it comes up three years from now, nobody will remember the agreement. I only mentioned it, because it seems to be popular. People put it on their convention card but never use it.
Other interference There are many more situations where our conventions can be interfered with. If you play Bergen Raises, it is important to know how to cope with interference. However, I don’t think it practical to mention conventions that come up infrequently. For example, the opponents might double your strong 2. opening. They might interfere after you’ve used Jacoby 2NT or a Splinter Bid. It is good to have a default rule for all such situations. Though there are technically better solutions (that require too much memory), let’s just say: “Ignore interference.” Suppose it goes 1--(Pass)--Jacoby 2NT--(Double)--?? The opponents have doubled. That’s strange. But, just ignore it and answer as if they had passed. What if they overcall? It goes 1--(Pass)--2NT Jacoby--(3), for example. Still ignore it. Jumping to 4 is weak, while 3 is stronger. There are some complications and yes, you do have extra bids available such as Pass and Double. You could define everything. Long-time regular partnership would do so. But, would you and your partner remember such agreements when they come up two years from now? Not likely. So, just “ignore” interference unless you think you and your partner have discussed (and memorized) otherwise.
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Interference after our 1NT I would be remiss not to mention a popular convention called lebensohl (yes with a small “l” – don’t ask). When we open 1NT and the opponents overcall, it is a pain in the neck. Even more so if their overcall is conventional (such as 2 to show diamonds and a major). Now what? This is a major headache. Unless you want to study lebensohl, there is no easy solution. I do recommend that double is not for penalty (it should show cards/takeout). I know that “Stolen Bid” is popular --where 1NT--(2)--Double means “you stole my bid” so it is a transfer to hearts — but it isn’t really a good method. Let’s say 2 meant diamonds and a major and as responder to 1NT you held, K1082 K72 42 .Q876. I’d want to be able to double to show something like that. If double means “transfer to hearts” you’d be totally stuck. QUIZ As opener, what is your call after 1NT--(Pass)--2.--(2) with: 1) A32 A72 KQ108 .K32 2) AQ108 J102 54 .AKQJ 3) KQ87 Q1087 95 .AKJ 4) KJ7 KQ7 Q76 .AJ76
As opener, what is your call after 1NT--(Pass)--2--(Double) with: 5) AQ987 K2 Q32 .A108 6) K2 AQ2 J54 .AQ765 7) A2 KQ87 AQ2 .Q1087
What is your call after (1NT)--Pass--(2.) with: 8) 87 A32 765 .KQJ98 9) KQ2 QJ2 87873 .AQ
What is your call after (1NT)--Pass--(2) with: 10) KQ2 A76 Q8765 .32 11) 654 875 AKJ107 .32
12) What is you call after 1NT--(2)-- where 2 shows diamonds and a major and you hold: A1032 A76 95 .10876.
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ANSWERS 1) Double. For penalty (simple). 2) 2. Showing four spades. 3) 2. With 4-4 in the majors, bid hearts first. 4) Pass. No requirement to answer Stayman (partner has another chance to bid). 5) Pass. Showing only two hearts. 6) 2. Showing three or more hearts. 7) 3. Showing four or more hearts and a maximum. 8) Double. Lead directing. 9) Pass. Not only are you unsure you want a club lead, but you need length (at least five) on this low level. You have no defense against 2.. 10) Pass. Not nearly the right hand/suit for a LDD. 11) Double. You want a diamond lead. Take a chance. 12) Double. Make sure you and your partner know that this is “negative” – not penalty and not “stolen bid.”
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Conventions I am not a convention fan. In my experience, most players (of all levels) don’t use them properly. They don’t study all the “what-ifs” (is it on by a passed hand, what if there is interference, etc.). They don’t discuss with their partner which version they are playing. They forget to use the convention or forget to alert when their partner uses it. They haven’t discussed the follow-ups. The director ends up at the table. The opponents are damaged. The user of the convention is damaged (because they misused it or one of the partners forget they were using it). That said, some conventions are essential. In this book we had extensive mention of what in my opinion are the four most important conventions (Blackwood, Jacoby transfers, Negative Doubles and Stayman). Also mentioned in the book, though not quite as important were Drury, Feature, Fourth-Suit Forcing, Jacoby 2NT, Michaels Bids, New Minor, Support Doubles and Unusual Notrump. A few other conventions were touched on as “more advanced” but not fully spelled out. Those would be Inverted Minors, lebensohl and Splinter Bids. Experienced players will want to use some convention (Cappelletti, DONT and Meckwell are some of the more popular ones) when the opponents open 1NT. Other than those, I would say that 99% of bridge players should look no further. If it isn’t mentioned above, don’t waste time and memory on it. Unfortunately, many books and bridge seminars are devoted to conventions. Most players don’t have the memory or concentration to study and absorb. Even when we were in college, we might have been able to memorize some text and spit it out on the test that week, but we wouldn’t remember it a week later. Even if bridge students think they understand a convention, that isn’t the same as properly executing it when it comes up two sessions from now. It is hard to play good bridge when your head is full of (and living in fear of) conventions. Much more important than learning new conventions is to make sure you understand the basic ones. Know the ins and outs of the “top four.” And even more important than conventions is to know your partner’s style. Is he aggressive or conservative? Is he opening all 12-counts? Is he a good declarer (so that you should push towards that aggressive game contract that he is playing)? And more important than any convention is what is in this book and Volumes 1 & 2! It makes no sense to learn conventions (beyond the top few) until you know inside and out what the first four bids of the auction mean. Way too many players are trying to learn Inverted Spiral-relays but they don’t know the difference
Larry Teaches Modern Bidding (Volume 3) Page 78 between opener’s reverse or jumpshift. Giving bridge students complex conventions is like giving beer to babies. You can study (and likely forget) conventions until you are blue in the face, but a much better use of your time is to study “Bidding Basics.”
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