ª © ¨ § BRIDGE FOR BEGINNERS : LESSON 9 ª © ¨ §
Suit openings at the two level and above
2§ OPENINGS
A hand such as ªAKQxxx ©AKQxxx ¨ - §x is likely to make not merely game, but small slam, opposite a feeble assortment like ªxx ©xxx ¨ xxxx §Qxxx.
If you open a mere 1ª (telling yourself you have only 18 HCP) partner will of course sensibly pass with the above garbage. And you will weep.
The solution is to open 2§ instead on any hand where you want to be in game even if partner has less than normal requirements (a good 5+) for a response to a one-level opening.
You open 2§ whenever you'd have good reason to cry if partner passed your one of a suit opening!
The guiding rule is to open 2§ on less than 22 HCP only when you have 3 or fewer losers. With
22 or more HCP and 4 losers, we usually open 2§ as well.
e.g. ªAKJx ©AKxxx ¨x §AKx
The shapely hand at the top of this column has one loser. Losers are counted by looking at the first three cards only in every suit. For every one that is not an ace, king or queen, count one loser.
A queen with no other honours, however, is demoted
and counted as two and a half losers.
QJxxx counts as 2 losers. AKxx, KQJxx and AQxxx are all counted as one loser.
2¨ Negative response
2¨ is the artificial negative response to 2§. It is made with all hands of 0-7 HCP no matter what their shape. But AKxxx qualifies as a positive, likely to be far more useful cards than, say, three queens and two jacks, which I’d be much happier to call a negative. And it is used as a waiting bid with some slightly stronger hands that have no clear-cut bid e.g. ªQxxxx ©Axx ¨xxx §Kx.
Remember that a 2§ opening is forcing to game, even after a negative 2¨response. It has to be! Opener did not want to be passed at the one level if responder had less than 6HCP, so responder must not wimp out now.
The only exception is 2§: 2¨ followed by a 2NT rebid, showing 22-24. (With 25-27 rebid 3NT. With more, make it up!) With no points, responder may choose to pass.
After 2§:2¨a suit rebid by opener shows at least a 5-card suit and an unbalanced hand. Responder should raise a major at once with 3+ support.
Since the auction is game-forcing, the Principle of Fast Arrival applies. This useful
treatment means that in a game-forcing
situation a raise of a suit below
game is stronger than a raise immediately (i.e. fast arrival) to game.
Thus a ‘slow’ raise suggests that you have some card(s) of value – at least one first or second round control (an ace or a king or a void or singleton) - that your original negative response did not suggest. A ‘fast’ raise to game shows 3+ support but no first or second round control. This means that 2§:2¨, 2ª:3ª is stronger than 2§:2¨, 2ª:4ª. (Don’t confuse this with other non-forcing auctions – e.g. 1§:1ª, 3ª is not as strong as 1§:1ª, 4ª)
With no support, the 2¨ responder next makes the most natural bid according to shape. Partner won’t expect much in the way of high cards after the original 2¨response.
Positive responses
Any bid other than 2¨shows a good 8+ HCP. A suit response shows a 5+-card suit headed by at least KQ. You may respond 2NT with a scattered good 8+.
QUIZ
1. Partner opens 2§.
What is your response?
a.
ªKQxxxx ©xx ¨xxxx §x
b.
ªKQx ©Axx ¨KJxxx §xx
c.
ªAQxxx ©Qx ¨Jxxxx §x
d.
ªQx ©Qxx ¨KJx §JTxxx
e.
ªxx ©AJxxx ¨Axxxx §x
2. You open 2§.
What is your rebid after partner’s 2¨ response?
a.
ªAQJx ©A ¨Ax §AKJxxx
b.
ªAKQx ©x ¨AKJx §KQJT
c.
ªx ©AKQ ¨AKQJx §QJxx
d.
ªQ ©AKJTxx ¨AK §KQJx
3. After 2§ - 2¨ - 2ª what is your rebid?
a.
ªxx ©xxx ¨xxxx §xxxx
b.
ªQxxx ©Jx ¨xxx §Qxxx
c.
ªAxx ©x ¨xxxx §xxxxx
d. ªx ©Qxxxxx ¨xxx §Jxx
4. You open 2§ and partner responds 2©. What is your rebid?
a.
ªx ©KQxx ¨ AKQJx §AKQ
b.
ªx ©AKx ¨ AKQxxx §KQx
c. ªA ©Kx ¨ AKQJxx §AKxx
2¨/ 2©/ 2ª WEAK TWO OPENINGS
How ‘decent’?
Containing at least two of the top four honours should be fine. In borderline cases, let the vulnerability be
your guide. At ‘unfavourable’ (red vs green), for example, you should pass with
♠x ©Kxxxxx ¨Kxx §xxx,
but ©KJT98x would bring it up to scratch.
And at no vulnerability should you open ªQxxxxx ©KJx ¨x §xxx. You want to have at least
as many points in your suit as outside it so that partner can
judge what to do because the responder
is the master of the auction.
It is usually unwise to
open a weak two when you hold a side 4-card major. You may well miss out on your best spot
because responder will assume a single-suited hand.
Try also to avoid opening a weak two with a 7-card suit. Those hands may be more suited to an opening pre-empt at the three level (see next section). One exception might be made at unfavourable vulnerability when your suit quality is not quite up to a three bid as with ªKxxxxxx ©x ¨Kx §Qxx.
Responding to Weak Twos
Pass with a weak hand
and no hope of game, even with a misfit and a long suit of your own. Cut your losses here and now at the two
level. Wriggling around trying to
improve the contract will only get you too high. Be happy to give the opponents room to enter
the bidding. If you have a misfit, it is
highly likely that they do too. And
wouldn’t you prefer them to be in trouble?
Responding with a fit
With a moderate fit and
better than minimum opening values (16+ TP) but too many likely losers for
slam, raise a major directly to game. In
the case of diamonds, consider 3NT before five of a minor.
e.g. Raise 2© to 4© with ªAJx ©Kxxx ¨KQxxx §x but over 2¨bid 3NT with ªAQx ©KQx ¨Kxxx §Kx
With 3 or 4-card support
and a few scattered values raise to the three level. The single
raise is not invitational to game - opener must pass. It is upping the ante,
boosting the mildly pre-emptive effect of the two-level opening one step
further. The idea is to make the
opposition guess what to do at a less comfortable level.
e.g. Raise partner's 2© to 3© with
ªAxx ©Qxx ¨Kxxxx §xx
With a more shapely
hand, especially one with 4+ support, even with few values, raise pre-emptively
to game at all but unfavourable vulnerability.
You don't expect to make game but they surely can. Your jump to game puts considerable pressure
on your LHO because he will have quite a good hand but he won't know whether
you have a strong hand or a weak and shapely hand. Do you
have most of the missing points, or does his partner? If you can make the opponents guess whether
to pass, or double, or bid higher, you give them the opportunity of guessing
wrong!
e.g. Raise partner's 2ª to 4ª (whether RHO bids or not) with ªQxxx ©x ¨Axxx §xxxx
Inviting to game
In order to consider the serious possibility of game as responder you need the equivalent of a good opening hand. How do you proceed? You cannot raise to the three level – that is merely pre-emptive.
Instead you use an artificial ‘feature ask’ enquiry of 2NT, which opener cannot pass. This enables you to find out how good opener's Weak Two is, and where any outside strength is located if the hand is in the upper range.
Opener's reply to the forcing 2NT enquiry
Opener is required to do
one of the following:
·
with a minimum 6-8, rebid the opened suit
·
with a maximum 8-10, bid the side suit in which you hold
the ace or king, regardless of its length
·
with a maximum & a solid suit (AKQxxx) and thus no room
for a side suit honour, bid 3NT
e.g. You open 2ª.
Partner inquires with 2NT.
Holding a minimum ªQJxxxx ©Kxx ¨xx §Jx, bid 3ª.
Holding a maximum ªKQJxxx ©Kxx ¨xx §Jx bid 3©.
Responder is in charge and may pass, sign off
in the opened suit, bid game or slam.
e.g. Holding ªAxx ©Axx ¨AQxx §xxx opposite a 2ª opening, inquire with 2NT, planning to pass 3ª or 3§ but to go to game opposite 3¨/© because of the fitting honour
Change of suit is another strong response. It is absolutely forcing over an opening weak
two. Responder has a strong hand and a
good 6-card suit of her own, or an excellent 5-card suit, and is looking for
support. Opener should raise with Jx or
better, otherwise bid 3NT or repeat her suit, or bid another suit with some
values, whichever is cheaper.
e.g. Look for a ª fit by bidding 2ª over partner's 2© opening with ªAKxxxx ©x ¨Axx §KQx. You will raise 3ª to 4, or else give up on game
& pass 3© or correct 2NT to 3©.
QUIZ
5. What do you bid as dealer,
nil vul, with the following?
a.
ªKQTxxx ©AQxx ¨xx §x
b.
ªT9xxxx ©Kxx ¨x §AQx
c.
ªxx ©KQTxxx ¨xxx §Kx
d.
ªx ©Qx ¨KQJxxxx §xxx
e.
ªKJTxxx ©- ¨Kxxxx §xx
f. ª Jxx ©x ¨Kxx §KJTxxx
6. Partner opens 2©, green vs red. RHO passes.
Your bid?
a.
ªKxx ©Jxx ¨Axx §KJxx
b.
ªxx ©AKx ¨AQJxxx §Kx
c.
ªx ©Qxxx ¨Axxxx §xxx
d. ªAQxx ©KTx ¨xx §KQxx
7. What is your rebid after
2ª-2NT (inquiry)?
a.
ªAKQxxx ©xx ¨xxx §xx
b.
ªAQTxxx ©x ¨Kxx §xxx
c. ªKJxxxx ©xx ¨QJx §xx
8. What is your rebid after
2¨: 2©?
a.
ªJxx ©xx ¨KJTxxx §Kx
b.
ªxx ©xxx ¨KQJTxx §xx
c. ªx ©xx ¨KQTxxx §Qxxx
ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨
PRE-EMPTIVE OPENINGS
Opening pre-empts are bids at the three level or higher. They describe a
'bad' hand (not strong enough in HCP to open at the one level) with a good long
suit, usually 7+.
While you describe your own hand fairly precisely you make it difficult
for the opposition to find their best spot because your pre-empt takes away
some of their room to explore. They may end up in the wrong strain, in game instead
of slam – or vice versa, or double you for a penalty when it is not as good a
score as fulfilling their own contract.
Position at the table is of some relevance. First and third seats are ideal for pre-empts. As dealer, the odds are in your favour: there are two opponents who may have strong hands to upset and only one partner. In second seat, when RHO has passed, the odds are less attractive – one opponent, one partner - for other than a very disciplined pre-empt. Third in hand, since partner has passed, offers more scope for bold pre-empting. In fourth seat there is no-one with a good hand to confound!
The hand should not contain a side 4-card major as you may miss a better contract in that suit - it
is impossible to discover a 4-4 fit at a high level.
A pre-emptive opening is based on playing tricks rather than HCP. It is a hand too weak in HCP to open at the one level. The normal range is 6-10 HCP and at least a decent 7-card suit with more points inside the suit than out. A 6-card suit is even possible at favourable vulnerability.
How do you count your playing tricks? In your long suit count the ace, king and queen as winners, and every card after the third card as a winner. In your side suits count an ace or KQ as one winner, a protected king as a half, AQ as one and a half.
The Rule of Three and Two
Your choice of pre-emptive bid depends very much on vulnerability. Your number of playing tricks should be three less than your bid when you are not vulnerable (green) and only two less when you are vulnerable (red). The idea of the Rule of Three and Two is that if they double and partner supplies no tricks the price will be well worth it if they can make a vulnerable game or any slam.
If your number
of playing tricks includes a half-trick, what do you bid? Let the vulnerability guide you. Count up a half at equal vulnerability (both
red, both green) or at favourable vulnerability (you are green and they are
red). Count down a half at unfavourable
vulnerability (red vs green).
e.g. ªKQxxxxx ©x ¨Axx §xx has 7 PT. Open 3ª vul and 4ª non-vul
Remember that it is by no means compulsory to open with a pre-empt just because you hold a long suit. Pass or opening one of a suit may well be better options.
Responding to pre-empts
¨ Work out partner’s number of playing tricks by deducting 3 if your side is not vulnerable and 2 if vulnerable.
¨ Add the honour tricks in your own hand. A, K or Q in partner’s suit counts as one trick. In side suits, A=1, AK=2, AQ=1½, KQ=1, K=½.
¨ With trump support for partner, add points for distribution.
¨ If the total is less than partner’s bid or just enough for the contract, pass.
¨ Bid game or slam with enough tricks and not two quick losers in the combined hands.
¨ Consider game in notrumps over a three-level pre-empt in a minor. You need a strong balanced hand with at least one stopper in each outside suit and preferably better than a rag doubleton in partner’s suit.
¨ Change of suit is forcing. Over three of a minor you may shift to a strong 5 or 6-card major looking for support. Otherwise, prefer to stick with partner’s suit.
¨ With a weak or moderate hand and no
support, don’t try to rescue partner.
Just pass.
¨ At favourable vulnerability don’t be afraid to raise pre-emptively yourself with support and a shapely hand, even with slender values, as you would over a Weak Two.
QUIZ
9. What do you bid first in hand, all green?
a.
ªJxxxxxx
©Qx ¨AJx §x
b.
ªxx ©xx ¨xx §AQJxxxx
c.
ªx ©AQxxxxx ¨Axx §xx
10. First in hand at favourable?
a.
ª- ©xx ¨Kxx §KQJxxxxx
b.
ªKQJxxxx
©x ¨Qxxx §x
c.
ªx ©xx ¨KJTxxxx §xxx
11. Third in hand, both vulnerable?
a.
ªKQJxxxx
©Axx ¨xx §x
b. ªxx ©AQxxxxx ¨Jxx §x
c. ªAxx ©xxx ¨x §AQJxxx
12. Partner opens 3¨, nil vul.
Your bid?
a.
ªAQxxxx
©xxxx ¨Ax §x
b. ªKxx ©AKxx ¨Kxx §QJx
c. ªx ©Axx ¨Qxxx §AJxxx
13. Partner opens 3©, nil vul. Your
bid?
a.
ªAKxx
©x ¨AQx §Axxxx
b.
ªAJxx
©x ¨KJx §Axxxx
c.
ªKx ©Qxxx ¨xx §Kxxxx
Board 1 Dlr: N Nil Vul
NORTH
ª KQJ986
© 3
¨K63
§ J82
WEST EAST
ª
42 ª T5
© K652 © QJT97
¨7 ¨984
§ AKQT97
§ 643
ª A73
© A84
§ 5
Bidding: W N E S
2ª P 2NT
3§ 3¨ P 6ª
South's
uses the forcing 2NT enquiry and discovers that opener has a good Weak Two with
a high diamond honour (clearly ¨K). Slam looks a reasonable bet.
East's
natural lead would be ©Q, but when
partner overcalls it is usually right to lead that suit. The correct card from three small is the
middle one (MUD – middle first, then up, and last down). West wins with the queen (lowest of touching
equals) and switches to a heart.
This
hand is easy to play. As declarer you
win the switch, draw trumps and play your winning diamonds (honour from the
short hand first) for twelve tricks and a score of 6x30 + 300 + 500 = 980. If
East fails to lead a club after partner’s overcall, declarer will make all
thirteen tricks, throwing her losing clubs on dummy's winning diamonds. And West will be very cross.
Board 2 Dlr: E NS Vul
NORTH
ª -
© JT8
¨K752
§ Q87532
WEST EAST
ª AKQT ª 87642
© AKQ7532 © 9
¨ 6 ¨ A843
§ A § J64
SOUTH
ª J953
© 64
¨ QJT9
§ KT9
Bidding: W N E S
P P
2§ P 2¨ P
2© P 2ª P
4NT P 5¨ P
7ª
After
East's 2¨ negative (any 0-7
HCP) West must not be in a hurry. The 2© rebid is
absolutely forcing to game. East wants to run away but bids 2ª. As a negative
response does not deny holding an ace, West might as well check via
Blackwood. The one-ace response drives
West to bid grand slam!
On
the lead of ¨ Q, your first
impression as declarer is that you can count at least 14 tricks!
You
win ¨ A and play a trump
to the ace. North shows out! Did you notice?
Did cunning North play a low club - black on black - to make it harder
for you?
You
realize that South still holds J95. You
can avoid losing a trump only by returning to hand and finessing dummy's ªT. This is called a marked finesse (100% success). How can you get back to your hand?
Play ©A and ruff a heart in hand. Fortunately it is not over-ruffed. Now lead a trump. A sensible South should play low and you must put in the ten. Now you can draw the remaining trumps and play out your winning hearts. Grand slam bid and made for a score of 7x30 + 500 + 1500 = 2210!
ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª ©
Board 3 Dlr: S EW Vul
NORTH
ª AQ43
© A84
¨ Q875
§ AQ
WEST
EAST
ª KJ97 ª T862
© QJT7 © K532
¨ 3 ¨ A
§ JT63 § 9752
SOUTH
ª 5
© 96
¨ KJT9642
§ K84
Bidding: W N E S
3¨
P 6¨
South
counts some 5½ playing tricks in diamonds. At favourable vulnerability, 3¨ is the logical opening. North can count 3 sure tricks, 2 more
possibles with the black queens, and maybe a ruffing value in clubs. In a rush of optimism brought on by the
opponents' success last time, slam is bid.
©Q is
led and you survey your prospects as declarer. ¨ A is a sure loser
& the only one you can afford. The
little heart in your hand is the problem.
What can be done? If you play
trumps the opponents will win and cash their heart winner. You will have to dispose of a heart
first. How? The only possible extra winner in dummy is ªQ if the ªK lies
‘under’ the ªAQ. But you need to get back to your hand in
order to take the finesse. How?
Win ©A in dummy, overtake dummy's §Q with §K in your hand and try the spade finesse by leading towards ªAQ and playing the queen when West sensibly plays low. It wins! Now discard your ©9 on ªA and play trumps.
Win the
return, draw the last trump and ruff a club in dummy for your 12th
trick and a score of 6x20 + 300 + 500 = 920.
This was a tougher one to negotiate because this spade finesse was only
a 50% chance! Fortune favours the brave.
ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª ©
Board
4 Dlr: W All Vul
NORTH
ª T8
© 6
¨ T98754
§ QT87
WEST EAST
ª 7 ª AKQJ2
© T97532 © KQJ4
¨ 63 ¨ AQJ
§ AKJ3 § 2
SOUTH
ª 96543
© A8
¨ K2
§ 9654
Bidding: W N E S
P P 2§ P
2¨ P 2ª P
3© P 4NT P
5¨ P 6©
West,
with a poor heart suit decides to bid 2¨,
waiting, and is then happy to introduce her heart suit. East has rosy visions
of grand slam but settles for 6© when partner
shows only one ace in reply to Blackwood.
North
leads ¨ T. Do you finesse this time? North could be leading aggressively from
KT9. A finesse is not like Mount
Everest, to be taken simply because it is there. Never go for a 50% chance if there is a near
100% chance available. Count your tricks - 5 trumps after the
ace is lost, 4 top ªs & 3 top tricks
in the minors.
Win ¨ A. Play ªAK, throwing ¨ 6 from hand & then play trumps. A vulnerable slam is there for the taking for a score of 6x30 + 500 + 750 = 1430.
ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨
ANSWERS TO QUIZ
1. a. 2¨- negative - ªs can wait
b. 3¨ - positive 8+ HCP, 5+¨ s
c. 2ª - positive, higher of two 5-carders
d. 2NT - positive, denies a decent 5-card suit
e. 2© - positive 5+ biddable ©s
2. a. 3§ - longest suit first
b. 2ª - very awkward - cheapest of 3 4-card suits (partner will always envisage 5ªs)
c. 3¨ - hoping to bid 3NT if partner
bids ªs
d. 2© - no rush
3. a. 3§ - you have to say something! And if NT is to be the final contract, better for the strong hand to be declarer.
b. 4ª - support but no interest in slam with no first or second round controls.
c. 3ª - stronger than 4ª. You have 3 trumps, an ace and
a singleton - a very good negative.
d. 3© - partner won't be expecting much
4. a. 4NT - Blackwood, asking for aces, planning to bid 6 opposite 1 ace and 7 opposite 2.
b. 4NT, as above
c. 3¨ - no rush
5. a. 1ª - too strong for a Weak Two & not a single-suiter (13 opening points)
b. Pass - shocking suit
c. 2© - perfect Weak Two
d. 3¨ - as you will learn in a moment with a good 7-card suit
e. Pass - not a single-suiter
f. Pass - no Weak Two available in clubs
6. a. 3© - nuisance bid, no interest in game
b. 4© - should have a good chance
c. 4© - an advance sacrifice, but they won't be sure you don't hold the previous
hand
d. 2NT inquiry - willing to push to game opposite a good Weak Two with a club or spade honour, otherwise sign off in 3© if partner is minimum
7. a. 3NT - maximum Weak Two with solid ªs
b.
3¨ - maximum Weak Two with ¨ A or ¨ K
c. 3ª - a real stinker of a Weak Two
8. a. 2NT - no © support, some outside values, have to bid something!
b. 3©
- support
c. 3§ - no © support, some § values
9. a. Pass - quite misleading to pre-empt with such a rotten suit
b. 3§ - classic
pre-empt
c. 1© is a possibility with 2 aces and a good 7-carder with 10HCP; or 4© with 7 playing tricks.
10 a. 5§ - 7½ playing tricks, lie by 3½ at favourable vulnerability
b. 4ª - with 6+
tricks & a 7-4-1-1 bid the max
c. 3¨ - 5+ tricks, irresistible at favourable
11. a. 3ª - 7 playing
tricks, lie by two at all vul
b. 2© - poor © pips make a 3-level bid dangerous when vulnerable vs
not
c. 3§ - a tactical
choice - not likely to miss game opposite a passed partner & obstructing
the opponents more than with a 1§ opening; or go quietly with 1§
12. a. 3ª - try for a ª game if partner can support, otherwise go back to 4¨
b. 3NT -
looks the best hope for game
c. 5¨ - should have
a chance
13. a. 4© - definitely not 3NT with only a singleton © as you may never be able to enjoy partner's © winners. Your 4½ honour tricks will hopefully balance a possible extra trump loser
b. Pass - as quickly as you can. You are happy for the opponents to enter the bidding & they won't if you huddle!.
c. 4© - furthering the pre-empt & making it difficult for the opponents to know if you hold this hand or hand a.
ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª © ¨ § ª ©
HOW’S MY PROGRESS AFTER LESSON NINE?
1. What is the strength of a 2NT opening bid?
2. Therefore, what sort of hand does opener show after the sequence 2§: 2¨, 2NT? And after 2§: 2¨, 3 NT?
3. What do you open with ªx ©x ¨KQJxxx §KQJxx?
4. And with ªx ©A ¨AKQxxx §KQJxx?
5. (1) How many playing tricks in each of the following
hands?
(2) What do you open as dealer, all red?
(3) As dealer, green vs red?
a. ªQJTxxxx ©xx ¨ KQJ §x
b.
ªx ©xx ¨ KQxxxxxxx §x
c. ªx ©KQJxxxxx ¨ xx §xx
d. ªx ©Jxxxxxx ¨ KQ §xxx
e. ª- ©xxx ¨ JTxx §AQJTxx
6. Study the following sequences. Indicate whether the last bid in each sequence
is
(1)
absolutely forcing
to game GF
(2)
forcing for at
least one round 1RF
(3)
non-forcing NF
Opener Responder
a. 2§ 2¨
2NT
b. 2§ 2¨
2©
c. 2§ 2ª
2NT
d. 2¨ 2©
e. 2© 2NT
f. 2ª 3ª
g. 3§ 3©
h. 3¨ 4¨
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