[Walddk]

Here are 7 interesting bidding problems to tackle. What do you suggest?

1.

Scoring: MP

---

RHO opens 1♠ (4+). You?


2.

Scoring: MP

---

LHO opens 1♥, pass to you. 1♠ or double?


3.

Scoring: MP

---

1♦ - 1♠
??


4.

Scoring: MP

---

LHO passes, so does your partner, and RHO opens 1NT (12-14). This is passed to your partner who re-opens with 2♠ (natural, one-suited). You?


5.

Scoring: MP

---

1♣ (1♠) pass pass
??


6.

Scoring: MP

---

You pass 1st in hand (I know some would not), LHO opens 1♠ (5+), partner overcalls 2♦, and you see 2NT to your right (sound 4-card raise). What do you bid now?


7.

Scoring: MP

---

Partner is dealer, and the auction is:

1♠ - 2♣
2♦ - 2♥ *)
2N - 3♦
3N - ??

*) 4th suit GF (2♣ was not game forcing).

What now?

Roland

[Mr. Dodgy]

• 1 1NT
  
• 2 dbl close tho
  
• 3 3♦
  
• 4 pass, but tempting
  
• 5 Dbl
  
• 6 pass
  
• 7 4♦

[FrancesHinden]

1. 1NT. But only NV at matchpoints (I think pass is technically correct).
2. 1S.
3. 2S, with a bit to spare.
4. 3H if partner takes it as a trial bid (what else can it be?) else 3S.
5. 2C. I don't want to defend 1Sx.
6. Double, whatever it means.
7. Partner must be 5341 with poor diamonds, not particularly robust spades and a double heart stop (he could have re-4th-suited if he wasn't sure). Opposite, say, Axxxx AQx Qxxx x slam is awful and 5D might go off. I pass.

[cherdano]

1. 1N.
2. 1♠ not close
3. 2♥. Big overbid, but it will hopefully guide us to the right strain.
4. Since AQxxx Qxx xxx xx is a reasonable game, I have to make a move. I will leave the 3♥ masterbid to the masters and bid 3♠.
5. A gentle 2♣, hoping to double LHO's 2♠...
6. Double.
7. I pass. It's interesting that I seem to be better placed to pass this than if I were playing 2/1, as partner's 3N should be a genuine opinion on ♦ vs NT as a strain, not just showing a heart stopper. I give partner at most one major suit ace, so he would need a lot of perfect cards to make slam good (my guess is ♠A-5th, ♥KQx, ♦QJ and club singleton is not yet enough to bring it siginificantly above 50%).

Arend

[Codo]

1. 1 NT if nat. as the smallest lie
2. 1 Sapde, no alternative in sight
3. 2 Spade confident
4. pass I have 8 loosers and a passed pard. Can we really make game?
5. 2 club, ugly but if we can beat 1 Spade X we make 3 or more NT.
6. X no problem, however pd takes it
Do you know the joke with the bar full of skinheads? This problem is typical for that.
7. 4 Club (Cuebid for Diamonds) tricky, I believe, that 3 NT after 2 Heart had shown a weaker hand and 2 NT showed some extras. Then the slam has good chances. F.E. AQJxx. Axx. xxxx, x needs not much more then Diamonds 3-2 and spades 4-2. And Pd will surely be stronger. If 2 NT was just a heart stopper, then 3 Diamond was a slam try and 3 NT said no, I don´t want to play a slam. In this case, I would respect pds descission, but it still willl be close.

[FrancesHinden]

On the last one, I don't believe partner can possibly have spades as good as AQJxx (or indeed only one heart stop) for a 3NT bid over 3D. If he can, then perhaps we need to re-think what the auction means...

[han]

1. Pass. This hand doesn't have the strength that my 1NT overcalls usually have.

2. Very very close for me. I think the hand is not as good as it looks (xxx in hearts, stiff ace), I would probably bid 1S.

3. 2S, give me the diamond ace instead of the heart ace and I might bid 2H or 3D.

4. 3H, game try in spades with good hearts. I'd pass if I was playing with Ben (not a comment about Ben's declarer play, but he opens quite light with 5+ spades)

5. I don't want to double, I am not good enough for the reverse and my clubs are not good enough for 2C. I'd bid 2C and hope that partner makes a move.

6. I'd like to show values just in case partner has extras. So I double now, and pass the likely 3S. I think that double is merely strength showing, it doesn't set up a forcing pass.

7. At first glance slam looks pretty good opposite a perfect minimum like AQxxx Axx Qxxx x. However, we don't have the entries to take the double ruffing finesse after a heart lead. I pass.

[Blofeld]

1. Pass

2. 1♠

3. ugh. 2♠.

4. I'll try 3♥. Sometimes 2♠ might be the limit of the hand, but I don't really expect to buy it there then.

5. I'm not doubling. Think I might bid 2♥ despite the low point count, though I suspect 2♣ is the right bid.

6. Double. This could show a couple of different things, but I think I've got them anyhow.

7. Pass

[inquiry]

1. Pass, wtp?

2. I have to be different. I bid 2♠.

3. 2♠ - accepting all game tries

4. Playing with partners who open light --especially with spades (25 ZARS) -- I would be tempted to pass. Playing with random partner, 3♥ game try. However, position values in this hand make it too good for pass even opposite a typical weak opening partner, so I will bid 3♥ even with them.

5. Partner probably wants me to reopen with a double. He will be disappointed. 2♣

6. DOUBLE.. .nothing else even enters my mind.

7. I know partner has screamed weakness here, that does not discourage me. But he lacks a club fit of any sort, and that does. I want to give a Richard Wiley answer here and say 45% of the time I would pass, 30% of the time I would bid 4♣, 20% if the time I would bid 4NT, and 5% of the time I would bid 4♦. Then I would probably have the right bid on some of the possible hands. I will pass, with considerable reluctance.

[jillybean]

1. pass

2. 1♠

3. Impossible hand, if I'm being honest here I'd usualy overbid 4♣ or 4♠ maybe in a more rational moment I'd bid 2♥, still a tad over but I need a forcing bid.

4. 3♠

5. 2♣

6. pass

7. pass

[mike777]

Great set of problems, Thanks Roland.
1) x=typical got to bid something at MP
2) 2S
3) 2S
4) 3S=typical overbidding to game at imps.
5) x=hate to x on a void per Larry Cohen but I could have so much less.
6) 3H
7) 4D=4nt rebid by pard. will be to play.

[jdonn]

Nice set of problems.

1) 1NT, only because it's no one vul at matchpoints, which means first side to bid 1NT wins. At any other vul or form of scoring I would certainly pass.

2) I would double in an undiscussed partnership as I believe this is standard. However I like to agree with partners that you can balance into a suit on hands as good as this.

3) 2♠. If it were just a little stronger, 2♥ would be clear and there would be no second choice. That would be a reasonable but aggressive answer here as well.

4) 3♠, partner wouldn't bid on junk here both vul at imps, so I think he has nearly an opening hand with a bad suit to explain his original pass. Jxxxxx x Axxx Ax for example. I think I am being conservative if anything, I would bid 4♠ before I would pass. Also, 3♥ isn't necessarilly wrong but I don't think it's the key to partner evaluating correctly, for example he might not like the above hand.

5) Double. Not a problem.

6) 3♥, again not a problem. I have a good hand, a good suit, and only one opportunity to get in the auction, this one is easy. I don't see any point in doubling, they will just bid 3♠ back to you and now you have no idea whether you belong in 4♥ or not.

7) 4♦ and give up if partner bids 4NT. We often won't have slam if partner is minimum, but we could also be on a virtual claimer opposite AQJxx KQJ QJxx x.

[Impact]

Only one relatively easy problem - otehrs all difficult/close:-

1. Pass: sing CK is not pulling its weight, and partners push with invitational types when they think they can locate all the points...

2. Double in standard methods but the virtual certainty that RHO is short in H would let me downgrade this hand to 1S (normal overcall) on personal style

3. Another nightmare: 2S as the least of evils - it should make but my risk is that I have underbid dramatically, although a KS reverse to 2H is possible, but really 2D is too discouraging, 1NT is worse (both for values - and a hand which seems to scream for suit play), but I would prefer my D suit stronger (and H suit weaker) to bid 2H.

4. Depends on partner's proclivities and limits imposed on weak 2s....to be honest I think at pairs there is some risk but opposite a solid citizen I must bid. At teams you virtually must bid 3H which will give us a good play for game opposite as little as AQxxx Qxx 5 assorted minor suit cards assuming both CA & HK are onside....

5. 7 card suits and voids do not play well in low level doubled contracts generally - so I will wimp with 2C....

6. Double - the easiest problem of the set as the risk of 3H is that partner thinks it is a fit non-jump by a passed hand....albeit the disparity between the suits is great, I really don't want to encourage partner to bid over S in D!!!!

7. All prime cards but a lot of warning signs out. Not a bad argument for a direct 4D over partner's 2D - and let him make the decisions, particularly at imps. Isn't this the sequence you would use with a slightly weaker (ie min GF) or a considerably stronger hand?
Anyway, now I'm in the position I have to decide whether partner's 2NT (as opposed to immediate 3NT over 4SF ) showed some extras. If it did not, the hand has depreciated as he has declined a slam invitation (presumably looking at poor D we know but also msifit for C - 5-3-4-1 likely). Just how light does he open?

QJxxx KQx Qxxx x is obviously no play; Improve the H a touch eg AQx and it is no joy...but AQxxx KQx QJxx x is great....on this hand I think I'm looking at establishing his S suit (the odds against his having a hand such as CK to allow me to establish my suit decreased with his regressive bidding after my first bid of C and forcing reversion to his second suit- so will probably need to ruff at least 1S and hence can expect to lose at least 1H.

Unless the 2NT is extras, given my expectation of minima, I Pass.

How much better is the direct 4D over 2D as it seems right on values, allows a pinpoint of 2 potential H losers immediately...and you will not cue above game unless partner forces you....

[joker_gib]

1. 1NT
2. 1♠
3. 2♦
4. Pass
5. Dbl
6. Pass
7. Pass

[joshs]

Walddk, on Apr 12 2006, 07:41 AM, said:

Here are 7 interesting bidding problems to tackle. What do you suggest?

1.

Scoring: MP

---

RHO opens 1♠ (4+). You?


2.

Scoring: MP

---

LHO opens 1♥, pass to you. 1♠ or double?


3.

Scoring: MP

---

1♦ - 1♠
??


4.

Scoring: MP

---

LHO passes, so does your partner, and RHO opens 1NT (12-14). This is passed to your partner who re-opens with 2♠ (natural, one-suited). You?


5.

Scoring: MP

---

1♣ (1♠) pass pass
??


6.

Scoring: MP

---

You pass 1st in hand (I know some would not), LHO opens 1♠ (5+), partner overcalls 2♦, and you see 2NT to your right (sound 4-card raise). What do you bid now?


7.

Scoring: MP

---

Partner is dealer, and the auction is:

1♠ - 2♣
2♦ - 2♥ *)
2N - 3♦
3N - ??

*) 4th suit GF (2♣ was not game forcing).

What now?

Roland

1. Pass, despite the form of scoring, I don't like overcalling 1N on 15 and a flaw (the flaw is usually lack of a double stopper, but here its the lack of the correct shape)

2. Dbl. I slightly prefer 1S but I wouldn't spring it on someone who might not expect that much for a balancing x.

3. 2S. A maximum for this bid.

4. 3S. Who knows why partner didn't open 2S. I think its because of a bad suit.

5. 2C. Normal

6. 3H, made safe by the knowledge of their 9 card fit. But its close

7. Pass. Hard problem. I like partner's stiff club but with only 8 trumps we have a lot of work to do to make 6D...

[awm]

1. 1NT. I like overcalling 1NT, especially at matchpoints. This is obviously not without risk.

2. 1♠. It's okay to be near the top of the range sometimes.

3. 2♠, the weak diamonds cause me to downgrade this hand slightly.

4. I want to invite in spades. Probably 3♠ is most clear-cut, but if partner will take 3♥ as a spade raise or 2NT as some sort of ask, either of those could be a better bid.

5. 2♣, not a particularly hard one. I don't want to defend, nor be pushed to 3♣ if partner tries a diamond bid over my double.

6. 3♥. Opponents never really double this with bad trumps and a nine-card fit. Likely we have a fit somewhere and it's probably hearts. This could help us compete (either to make or a sacrifice) or at least get partner to make a good lead.

7. Pass. I expect something like AQxxx KQx Qxxx x from partner, or the same hand with a major jack instead of the diamond queen. In any case slam will not be very good. I'd expect partner to cue with the control-rich sort of hand we need for slam to be really good.

[hatchett]

1. Pass close at the vulnerability and scoring but the minimum HCP combined with the flawed shape tip the balance. If LHO bids 1NT passed back to me I can double, or I might get to double a 2♣ rebid by opener.

2. 1♠ Not close.

3. 2♠ something in hand for a change

4. 3♠

5. 2♣ not close, double is asking for -160 or worse

6. Double

7. Partner has a minimum with a good heart stop.

[hrothgar]

1. 1NT

2. 1♠

3. 2♠

4. 3♥

5. Double. (Wish I had a Spade though)

6. Double

7. Pass

[mikeh]

1. Pass: 1N close second: another reason why I am better at imps, maybe?

2. 1♠: would not criticize double, but this is 1♠ for me: won't miss game if partner passes

3. 2♠: lots of hcp but 3♠ is too much and 2♠ is more encouraging than 2♦

4. Pass: depends on weak 2 philosphy I suppose: for me, thinking is an overbid on this auction with this hand, but for others, maybe game has a play

5. 2♣: never defend the 1-level with a trump void

6. Pass: wrong hand to double, for me. Altho I think that their use of 2N is silly, since double here is virtually risk-free: they are almost never able to play 2N doubled... compare a 3♦ cue: now a responsive double is very high risk

7. Pass, unless you really want to insult partner. 3N shows 2 ♥ stops, and a poorish hand: AJxxx KQx Jxxx x is not impossible. Partner could have bid 3♥ or 3♠ to show doubt (of any kind) about 3N

[pbleighton]

1. 1NT, though pass is OK
2. 1S, I hate my 3 small hearts. Make it a doubleton and I would double.
3. 2S. Yuk.
4. 3S. Yuk.
5. 2C.
6. Pass.
7. Pass.

None of these are nice, but I didn't see decent alternatives to 2, 5, 6, and 7.

Peter