Sometimes you get unlucky!

The optimum contract is 5♣x, and yet with no N/S pair both finding and making the contract of 4♥ (with a 7 losing trick count opposite 7 losing tricks ... scoring 620), the 5♣x going 2 off (scoring 300 away) gets a bottom rather than a top!!

It is normal to bid slowly when you wish to have a conversation with your partner and to bid quickly “The Principle of Fast Arrival“ when you are weak and wish to get in the way of your opponents' likely conversation.

There are a few exceptions:
- 1NT- 3NT (stop)
- The direct support of a MAJOR suit by a raise or Jacoby 2NT

In this hand, the Losing Trick Count suggests that you have enough for a direct bid of 6♣ after partner's 1♣ opening bid. But it is not always accurate.

Playing Inverted Minors 2♣ would be strong and forcing to 3♣ but here you also have a singleton diamond.

The “Splinter Bid“ of 3♦ shows three things in one double jump bid:

1) Trump support
2) 0 or 1 diamond
3) Slam interest

To accept the “splinter“ slam try, with 5 losers and no side ace to cue-bid, South will bid 4NT to check for key cards. North shows two by bidding 5♥ and with one missing South will place the contract in 6♣. An easy make.

To decline the “splinter“ slam try there is 3NT available (or 4♣)

The Michaels Cue-Bid and the Unusual NT Bid (usually 2NT) are great tools to have in your bidding box of tricks. You may not use for a while and then two opportunities come along at once.

Hand 12:

East opens 1♦ and South with 5+ / 5+ can show 2 suits by bidding 2NT.

Now, you might like this bid to show the lowest 2 unbid suits, but how do you show both Spades and Clubs?

The answer is: after a MINOR suit opening bid by your opponents, 2NT says “I have the other minor and an unknown major partner”. If partner wants to know which Major, they cue-bid their opponents minor suit opening bid.

Now look at Hand 18 below.

Hand 18:

After a MAJOR suit opening bid, 1♥ by East, South’s overcall of 2NT shows the 2 lowest unbid suits, both minors (♦ & ♣).

If you combine the use of the Unusual NT bid with the Michaels Cue-Bid for all hands with a 5+ / 5+ distribution, as part of your OVERCALL system, you have added to or improved your bidding “system”.

Like it? For completeness ask for notes on the Michaels Cue-Bid.

A Defence to Opponents Weak NT

1NT is the most common opening bid. It only shows a balanced hand with 12-14 points. If you have the values to compete, NORMALLY a 5-card suit or 2 suits, and 8+ points you MUST. You need an agreed system with partner.

Here is one system that has become very popular at all levels. It enables you to double for penalties, show a single-suited hand or show a two-suited hand. All bids 2♣ to 2NT are artificial and must be alerted.

Please ask for full details. Because you will use this regularly, you will be putting into practise what you learn.

Hand 14: In this example, West will open 1NT. The artificial bid to show an unbalanced hand with both minor suits is 2NT. South bids 3♣ . Making.

Now have a look at Hand 24 (below).

A Defence to Opponents Weak NT (continued)

Hand 24

IF you follow Lesson 1, West opens 1NT. South can compete with a natural 2♠ overcall, but if using the MULTI-LANDY system instead, a bid of 2♠ shows two suits: NORMALLY 5+ of the major and 4+ of an unknown minor. With a singleton ♠️ and 4-cards in both minors, North can bid 2NT asking “what is your minor “. South bids 3♣: an excellent making contract.

IF South had a single-suited hand (NORMALLY 6- cards but why not 5332), the bid is an artificial 2♦, the MULTI bid.

The Landy part of the MULTI-LANDY system is 2♣ , NORMALLY 4/5 or 5/4 in both MAJORS.

See also Interesting Hand (fourth from last) where this was discussed previously and also this link to the article by Neil Rosen: Multi-Landy

This looks straightforward but led to an interesting discussion at the table.

South opened a weak 1NT. Partner with a flat 3334 shape and 11 points responds 2♠.

With a maximum (good 13 or 14) opener simply bids 3NT. With a poor 13 or 12 - pass. Here, a maximum 14+11 = 25 which is normally enough for game in 3NT.

With 12 points North would have bid 2NT and with a good 12, 13 or 14, South would bid 3NT and might pass with a poor 12 (good 11).

BUT, players use 2♠ in different ways. Opener rebids 2NT if minimum and then responder will pass with 11 or bid their 6-card minor 3♣ or 3♦ if weak OR 3♣ if maximum. Responder will bid 3NT with 11 or pass or correct to 3♦ if weak with a 6-card minor.

With 12 points the response is 2NT with the same bids for opener. So, just a little more to remember. How often do you want to play at level 3 with a weak hand in a minor? Would 1NT be better or if you pass are the opposition going to compete and get a good result?

We recommend that you consider making full use of 2♠ and 2NT after a 1NT opening by partner. 2♣ / ♦ / ♥ are your system of Stayman and Transfer leaving 2♠ and 2NT available to be used in the following constructive ways:

(a) Response of 2♠ is all about QUANTITY saying “I have 11/12 or 18+ points” i.e. a 2-way bid.

The rebids by opener are either 2NT “I am minimum“. With 11/12 responder passes. With 18+ responder bids their lowest ranked 4-card suit OR with less than 20 points simply bids 3NT.

or 3♣ “I am maximum“. With 11/12 responder bids 3NT. With 18+ points bids their lowest ranked 4-card suit to show their very strong hand and looking for a SLAM.

4NT is no longer used as a QUANTITIVE bid over a 1NT opening bid (4NT is an unwieldy bid).

(b) Response of 2NT is all about the MINORS.

either you have a weak hand with a 6-card minor suit.

Opener MUST bid 3♣ (alert as a relay bid). Responder then passes (if holding ♣) or corrects to 3♦.

or you have a strong hand with at least 5+4+ cards in the minors and a major with a singleton or void. Opener MUST bid 3♣ as above but with this hand responder bids their shortage major suit. This bid is both a slam try and a warning bid saying “unless you have cover in the majors, partner, NT may not be the best place to be”. Heeding the warning, with cover in the majors and a minimum 1NT, opener will normally bid 3NT. Then it is responder to decide whether to progress the bidding.

This use of 2♠ and 2NT will appear in the Lessons area of the website at a later date. The easier to learn usages are of course fine too.

The Bidding:

You might consider opening 1NT with South's hand. No one did. After a direct 3NT response and a heart lead and return, contract down by 1.

North will open 1NT - 2♠ response showing 11-12 points (depending on your method) - 3NT (depending on your method), with maximum points.

The Play:

Can East find the “killer“ lead? It should be almost routine, unless you have your own good minor suit, to lead a major suit when stayman and transfer have not been used.

So, it’s your poor 5-card suit, spades, and you do have 1 and possibly 2 entries or look for partner having hearts! It may be a race with declarer to see who can establish their tricks.

On the 5♠ lead, 4th highest from an honour, you would take the Ace and return the suit. Your entry to your hearts has gone . Hold up the Ace, declarer can cross to a club and play a spade, at least 9 tricks made if you have the Ace.

On the A♥  lead, and then another heart, you have found partner's heart suit: better than your spade suit. Unlike with your spades, the heart cards are in the right place. Partner still has the A♠  entry for the soon-to-be-established hearts. Contract is 1 off but when played by North (normal) only the A♥ and another heart lead “kills“ the contract. One chance...

Interesting? Yes.
Was the spade lead wrong? No.
Was the heart lead inspired? Well, on this hand, Yes.

South will open 1♦. North will respond 1♠. Should South rebid ♦ or make a slightly off-shape 1NT (15-17) rebid?

Either way North will pass.

If South bids and makes 1NT plus 1 for 120 points they will need to make 4 in ♦ to beat it (130 points). As our priority is to find out whether game in NT or a Major is possible, the 1NT option looks a good idea and the difference in the points for NT and a Minor is food for thought!

Hand 19 is a straightforward hand with interest?

North will open 1♥ . South will NOT make the DUSTBIN bid of 1NT because the hand satisfies the RULE OF 14 (points plus cards in the longest suit!) so bids 2♦. North is BALANCED and outside the 12-14 points range, so the rebid with the extra values (17 points) was always going to be NT.

2NT after a 2/1 bid of 2♦ is a limit bid of 15-19 points: forcing to game. South now makes a limit bid (no slam interest) of 3NT.

IF South had responded 1♠, a 1/1 unlimited bid, the NORMAL options for North would be:

1NT = 15-17 points: YES (having 17 points)
2NT = 18-19
3NT = “a gambling 3NT" based on a long minor suit: a trick source! You now have another option ...

Here, (hand 19) and with any similar North hand, you may like to upgrade the hand to 18 points and bid 2NT after a 1/1 1♠ .

A more suitable hand(s) will appear to clarify the NT response levels. 

SLAM BIDDING:

Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you have up your sleeve (slam tools), some hands just shout “go for it “......!!
Hand 7 14 November:

S 1H - N a quiet 1S.    S 2C - N (catching up) 3S.    S (no more to say) 4S.   Has N caught up?

What now for North with their 4 loser hand? Partner has a 7 loser hand, has bid C and I have something in D (the unbid suit and a likely lead). Is Blackwood going to help with my H void? NO.

Bid 6 Spades!!! Well done 2 pairs.

Peter

This hand follows on nicely from the previous week..

S opens a weak 3D. W a simple overcall 3H and E rejects H by bidding their own suit 3S. With a 5 loser hand in S what do they bid? Try EXCLUSION - jump past game - with 5D- confirming S and showing a D void, with 5D acting as RKCB. With 2 and the Q trumps you have to bid at step 4....which is 6C.  All the keys and controls in place ..... bid 7S for a top!!!!

The minimum 3H/3S bids keep the bidding low to allow room for an exchange of information. They do not necessarily show a minimum hand. Space is there for the key EXCLUSION BID ....5D.

Peter

Good morning,

Just occasionally a commentators “ dream “ hand crops up at the bridge table. Hand 14 is that hand.....it provides no interest for defence or declarer play- it’s all about the bidding. As ever in Interesting Hands I will never avoid a hand where my partner or I made a mistake....

Hand 14:

Some pairs ( I am excluding those playing a multi- 2D), only have 2 weak 2’s in their locker, so W will “ pass “.

N now has that very rare hand- a once a year hand  ( depending on play frequency) and surprise, surprise there is a bid for such a strong hand with only 2 losers. You open 4NT !!! All you want to know is whether partner has aces and more interestingly which ace/s....
The responses are :
5C- no aces
5D / H / S THAT ace
5NT- 2 aces
6C- THAT ace.

Opener then places the contract and can stop short of “slam “ with the wrong response from partner....

Are you prepared to add this to your partnership agreements for such a hand..?

There’s more:

What if W opens a weak 2D?

Again N had the bid to describe their hand( not their strength) in one bid....3D a MICHAELS CUE-BID showing both majors- 5+ 5+. S has clear preference and then N can go right or wrong... Blackwood ( any type) with a void is not best and with their 2 loser hand ( now spades) all North needs is partner to have one ace...So enter a new slam tool....” Void-wood “ or what we will call it “ Exclusion Blackwood “...

This is a leap / jump beyond game ( 3NT, 4H , 4S) showing a void in that suit- here 5D- and asking for aces or key- cards in the agreed S suit- the bid agrees S BUT EXCLUDES DIAMONDS.... So if South has only the ace of diamonds, they have to show ZERO and the bidding stops in 5 S ( N still has 2 losing aces) - one other ace( it can’t be the K of trumps! ) and the bidding goes to 6 and with 2 aces- the Grand Slam is bid. The responses to the 5D   "Exclusion” are up -the -line...

OR N could simply bid a direct 5D EXCLUSION BLACKWOOD but this fast route has not set the trump suit? And after a weak 2 the majors may be very unbalanced, in the opposition hands.

OR after a pass from W , you could bid the hand like this:

2C- 2D- 2S-3S- 5D ( exclusion )- 5S one Ace or key- card ( here an ace) - 6S Using one slam tool.

( Note: and this is marginal - those playing RKBC- as 031422Q- might consider reversing the first 2 replies and play 143022Q...think about a heart slam....

So, you might like to consider using MICHAELS after a weak 2, opening 4NT( and not 2C ) with North’s Hand, and using EXCLUSION BLACKWOOD as an additional SLAM tool....again some of this is rare....but you might like the bids up your sleeve......

Please send on to anyone else who might be interested and advise if you would like them INCLUDED ha, ha another time.

Happy to share

Peter

Sniffing a “ SLAM “.....

Hand 5: just using the LTC!

South opens 1H with a 5 loser hand. North is unbalanced, has a fit for partner who has opened ( UFO), so can use the LTC to evaluate their hand and bids 4H with 7 losers.With 3 Aces and a void there is no need to use 4NT ‘asking’    18- 5-7= 12,   so South bids the making small slam.

Hand 13: using the LTC and Blackwood

North opens 1D and S responds a quiet 1H. North’s rebid is 1S and then South must catch up with a strong distributional hand and 6H , with a bid of 3H. North has 2 losers in C - the unbid suit and a 7 loser hand as partner will assume- nothing more to say, so sign-off with 4H. But South has clubs and a hand worth 5 losers with the heart sequence. So, 18-5-7=12 but with only 1 Ace needs to check with 4NT ‘asking’. 5H - 2- is raised to 6H and the losing D rapidly disappears on the AK of spades ♠️...

Happy “slamming”. And there are huge swings for you in ‘teams’ and tops in duplicate pairs- if you find them..........

Both Terrys Tips and this section recommend using the Losing Trick Count and/or High Card Points. The LTC is used when you Open, are Unbalanced and you have a Fit for partners suit. HCP is used when you Open and have a Fit only. This is the Responder Line - with a good 5-9 raise, with 10-12 raise 1 to 3 , with 13+ bid game( Majors only).
Minors- another chapter....

Let’s look at Hand 2:

W opens 1S, N intervenes with 2D. Recommended for E is to bid 3S when weak < 6 HCP, bid 2S with 6-9, bid 2NT with 4 card trump support and 10-12 points( asking partner to bid at least 3S), and to cue-bid 3D with trump support and a better hand! Slam may be possible....You have most options covered.
So, here you are using the Responder Line - balanced with 10-12 HCP - and should bid 2NT. S passes and then West has a choice - 3S or 4S. Assuming partner has the K trumps, and liking both your singleton D and your H sequence, be BOLD - go for a top - and bid game! Bridge is not always about points! This happened at our table for a bottom for us - Linda and Ann ( and others), might like the different bidding sequence!

This is often easy to miss at the table, when you are trying to play with tempo, but here (Hand 19) the Safety Play to guard against a long suit running was spotted immediately after the hand went 3 off instead of plus 1.....

Whichever D is led the Safety Play is to duck the first round! You are unable to enter S in spades and have to give up a C to do that... IF W has the Ace and you have no further D stop and..... look what happens. By ducking the lead to either hand you are safe and running the JH will give you 10 tricks! (Unless W has 3 D and 2 entries- most unlikely....!)


With a long D suit 5+ and the Ace Of C   East would overcall... it is likely that W has this card and why the Safety Play is necessary.

It would be interesting to know what happened at table 5 on a D lead?

A Defence to 1NT, the LTC and Opening Lead.

Have a look at Hand 17:

N opens 1NT and E playing a MULTI - LANDY Defence with more HCP than they may have, overcalls 2C  - showing both majors and a minimum of 4/4 and here just 7 losers in either H or S.    S passes.
West is clearly going to bid H - but at what level? The LTC gives you the answer...you have to assume that partner has 8 LTC for their overcall, and with your 7 you add 7+8-18 and jump to 3H!!! E has only 7 so raises to game in hearts ♥️.
Note that if E prefers to pass (some textbooks state 4/5 or 5/4 for a 2C bid), W reopens the bidding with 2H- showing H and a minor and the bidding should reach game in hearts.
At our table I made an appalling opening lead of 2S (as W was the declarer) - a trump was correct- to allow 12 tricks to be made.

MULTI - LANDY is extremely popular. It has space for X to be for penalties - not “alerted”, and all 2 bids are “alerted“.  It can be used in both opposition seats.

In brief and to be refined and agreed by partnership:
2C   = majors
2D   = a single suited hand (6 cards)
2H   = H and a minor
2S    = S and a minor
2NT = both minors

Peter

Let’s look again at Hand 4. Not an easy hand to bid and there is a wide range of contracts and results.....
The bidding.... try this sequence...

West 1H  - East 2D - 2S (18 points - a reverse) bidding a higher ranked suit second) - 3C!
This is Fourth Suit Forcing- says nothing about clubs but shows about 12+ points and KEEPS THE BIDDING LOW. It is a SLAM try bidding ‘tool’. Opener can now rebid S at the 3 level to show a hand with 5S AND because they opened H ... 6Hearts....There are several options for East but a simple suit preference bid of 4H, followed by Blackwood would result in the final safe contract of 6H for a top!   
7H can’t make, 7S and NT too tough for me but for those not making the excellent 6NT contract please just take a little longer planning the hand. Count your winners and lose a heart.....12.

Peter

A Defence to an opposition 1 NT opening bid and a opening look at Signals and Discards.

Hand 18:

Rarely should you allow INT to be passed out. Here , the protective seat( 4th hand) has 2 4 card majors and if playing Landy or Multi-Landy( suggested before) and bids 2C showing at least 4/4. 2H plays well for 8 tricks and a top/near top....

If 1NT is allowed to hold and hearts established for 4 tricks , there may well be an opportunity for the opposition to Signal between themselves- a request for a particular suit to be lead.Here- Spades! So, introducing Lavinthal - known as McKenny in the UK( a suggested method!)

In brief( for now) , you Discard a suit that you don’t want led and a small card requests the lower ranked of the remains 2 suits and a high card the higher ranked. A middle ranked card (5/6/7) would usually show no preference........

Pretty simple..... but take a little care! Sometimes the card- because you can see dummy and your own cards- may not be what it seems or may be what partner can spare ( not a signal at at all !)

Hoping that some hands come up over the next few weeks to further this area- Signals, Discards, Suit- Preference and oh yes - Opening Leads. Remember you are here in Defence for 50% of the time and playing the hand as Declarer for just 25% of hands!

Peter

Playing 4CM South opens IH and North should respond a quiet 1S. South’s rebid is 2C showing an unbalanced hand with 5+H and 4+C. Partner can now show delayed H support with 3( forget NT as both hands are unbalanced) and bids 3H! U F O - unbalanced, fit and your side opened- so the LTC with 8 losers opposite a supposed 7- 18-7-6=3. Opener South only has 6 LT’s so bids the game.

Assuming everyone is in the same contract!!! declarer is looking for overtricks. In TRUMP you count your non- trump winners first. 3 so to make + 1 needs 8 trump winners- so needs to cross- trump.

After the correct lead of Ace C, West does best to lead a trump to shorten the short trump hand in dummy and hold it to game making. Only 2 Pairs bid game............

 

Here it is again the fabulous LTC- Losing trick count.

South opens with a potentially very powerful distributional hand - 2 suited and 16 HCP. If there is a fit for either suit.....

West gets in the way with a 2H overcall- what about North? There is no S support( negative) but 2 4 card minors.... enter the wonderful NEGATIVE  DOUBLE....

You X to show the 2 suits not bid 4+ 4+ in one low level/ the same level bid....

Bulls-eye South has 5 C and a big FOUR loser hand , so should force with 4C! Best for North to cue- bid the A Hearts- 4H and then S just bids 6C!!! A Blackwood bid would get a reply beyond 5C, so pointless.....

Look at the result. I pair bid the wrong game and no one bid game or the C slam........this hand was all more about distribution and that first round control....oh and of course the LTC- 18- 4-8= 12.

Peter

There will be no entry here for 2 weeks, unless TERRY would like to post an entry....

Hand 23: 17/1/18

After S opens 1C, even with 8 h c p and vulnerable - W should overcall 1H....North can now show the other 2suits ( 4+,4+) by making a bid known as a “negative x " - partner will “alert“ and East will bid 2H with 3 card H support.

Then, South will use the Losing Trick Count. UFO....      remember to check that these all apply....

They are Unbalanced, they have a known S Fit and have Opened. With just 6 losers opposite an assumed 9 - they must make the game invitational bid of 3S!

Partner, however has just 8 losers with S as trumps, so 18-8-6= 4 and can raise to game! 3NT does not make on good defence.

Note this: if you bid 1S after the H overcall - playing “negative doubles”, the bid implies 5+ spades and this way if partner has spades they (with the stronger hand) would play the contract....!

Like the bid.......

Calling all players who have no agreed defence method  against an opposition opening bid of INT! A weak NT bid(11) 12-14 is both a constructive bid and yet has preemptive qualities- it is hard to bid over....But it is the most frequent opening bid, so needs attacking where possible....to get a good result on the hand...... usually! The % shot is to compete when you can.

Hand 21 illustrates this:

After South opens 1NT , West with similar points to the opener and non- vulnerable( for the more cautious of us!) has 5 spades and 4 diamonds. Using the popular MULTI - LANDY defence , you bid 2S which shows 5/4 ( as ever usually!) Partner can bid 2NT asking West to name his minor but here with a key spade honour and just 8 points should quietly pass. With 5 Clubs there is a very high% chance that the minor suit is Diamonds- and you are now at level 3!!! 2S gives you a top/ equal top....

There is a little more meat to put on these bones but this is MULTI- LANDY:

With about 16+ :

X is for penalties

With about 8+:

2C shows 5/4 ,4/5 in the majors (usually!) Can be 4/4.

2D shows a single suited hand( usually a 6 card major suit!) -you need the rebid by partner here- if interested please ask....

2H/ 2S shows a major and minor as hand 21 here.

2NT shows both minors- 5+/5+ best.

This has been commented on before. Great to see that 2 Wests bid 2S!!!

Peter

It has to be hand 24!

Playing with a new partner- forget the bidding for now!- the writer finds himself in 6 Clubs doubled. The South doubler reckons to have 2+ tricks but do they? If these tricks are not certain they have alerted declarer- who will have a distributional hand - to a bad trump break!

Missing the ace of trumps , declarer has to cover the correct King Spades lead. It is simple to get rid of the spade loser IMMEDIATELY on the top hearts but then try running a club from the 987 sequence! 2 trump losers have become 1 and 12 tricks are made for a top. A significant change in the results for both pairs at duplicate ( it’s only week 1), but think about the significance at any Teams bridge!

It was played too quickly by me but I did see the correct way at the time- too late....

So , be aware of your double giving away too much information and as declarer act on the help you have been given. Without the double ? % of us would go off!!

Just to round hand 24 off the bidding at the table went like this:

West 2NT. East with an unbalanced hand- 7 losers and with likely 2/3 Clubs opposite ( and a probable 6 trick losing trick hand) , bid 4C- Gerber after no- trumps. West bid 5S- 2 and East bid 6C! The Losing Trick Count says 18-7-5/6= 5 or 6 and  6NT doesn’t make.

The writer made a complete mess of HAND 17! but on reflection it is a perfect deal in the area of SLAM and the rare GRAND SLAM.

North will open IS. Using the first slam investigation tool South will make a JACOBY response of 2NT- 4+ card trump support, with the bonus of a void and only 5 losing tricks opposite an assumed 7!

North will now use a splinter bid ( another slam tool) of 4D- 0 or 1 D. South now can see no D losers and no club losers, so will cue- Bid 5C to show first round control of clubs- another slam tool! North’s club losers are now not critical and can cue- bid hearts- showing the ACE.

With their long diamond suit ,South can make a special bid of 5NT - a GRAND SLAM FORCE( GSF) asking partner to bid 7S with 2 of the top 3 trump honours- bingo!

On any lead North wins the trick, cashes QD ,draws trumps ending in dummy, takes AK of D- throwing H, cross -ruffs C and D , promoting dummy’s 6th D for 13 tricks. (Counting to the tricks required is a good idea!!)

Interesting!


Peter

( Note- any form of Blackwood is not used here- best not to use when there is a void)

How many North’s opened 1NT- a fair 11 ,with a fair/ good 5 card suit- non- vulnerable!?

The point is that INT can have both constructive and destructive characteristics. Here, as the highest one level bid, it can make it more difficult for the opponents to find their best contract- 6 spades! Very well bid and played Kate and Dick for a top.  A five loser hand , opposite  seven....... 18 - 7 -5 = 6.

Over a 1NT does East x for penalties or bid a game - invite 3S? South will escape from the x with 2H or 2D please bid 2H partner, and bidding is not as straightforward as when North passes - get involved ( usually and recommended - well done Knut!)

It’s never that so clear-cut! In 6 spades the game of hunt the club queen is simple after the 1NT opening bid!! North has it - E/W are only missing 12 points....

Interesting?

If you consider opening this with 11 points and with a 5422 ( even with 6322- 6 card minor) and with a 5 card major in a 5332, when playing 4 card majors it will be your most used opening bid. So , it is absolutely vital that your partners responses are as accurate and space- effective as possible.

So , consider this:

Do you want 2 bids to show 11/12 points?
Do you want to play transfers to a major only? OR to a minor as well?
Do you want 2C stayman to promise at least one card major or a weak hand with 4/5 or 5/4 in the majors?

Until you have agreed what you want with your partner you have no system but try this for starters........

Answer NO to 2 bids to show 11/12 points; play 4 suit transfers and play promissory stayman.

So after 1NT( whatever you agree this means?):

2C promises at least 1 4 card major- game- going ( usually 11+ points)( or 4/5 ,5/4 weak-0 to 10 points- best contract try)

2D- transfer to hearts - 5+ hearts- 0+ points

2H - transfer to spades- ditto

2S- 11/12 or 18+- a quantitive bid. 2NT rebid is with a minimum opening hand 11/12 or a poor 13. You bid something else with a good 13/14

2NT- transfer to a weak 6 card minor or strong in both minors. Relay reply is 3C.

There is a little more to this but you may find this the best way of using the 2C to 2NT responses. Just ask for the little bit more......

Hand 20:

West opens 1NT maximum with 2 10’s

East responds 2C ( promising a 4 card major)

West rebids 2H

East? That’s not my major! I am unbalanced with only 1 club- what if partner has nothing in Clubs? No problem- I am happy with 13 points to bid at the three level ( 3D) to show 4 Spades and 5 Diamonds - an unbalanced hand. Partner has 2 top clubs and bids 3NT but you have warned partner that you are unbalanced and of the club danger.

Partnership agreement! Absolutely key!

Let's look at Board 20 from 21/6.

Assuming a West pass? North will open 1D. Does South bid the heart suit? Bid 3D- strong? OR bid 2D- strong ( an INVERTED MINOR- space saving bid)?OR bid 4D- 7 losers opposite an assumed 7 losers?

After 1H North will bid 1S- now showing 5/4 unbalanced and South will now realise that those hearts are not adequate for no trumps! and bid 4D- 7 losers opposite a supposed 7 loser hand? North has only 5 but needs to check controls- 4NT! The reply of 1( any system) shows there are 2 missing and the contract is 5D!

3D? Not recommended. You have removed bidding space if 3NT is the best contract and you only have 7 losers! The bidding should still proceed to 5D!

2D? RECOMMENDED. An INVERTED MINOR bid . So 2D is strong - 10+ points, 4+ trump support and usually no 4+ card major ( space saving). 3D would be weak- a good 5-9 points and 4+ trump support( pre-emptive space- consuming bid)
After the 2S rebid you get to 5D- South does not have a control in hearts or clubs, so bids 4D then North 5D.

4D? Great bid! 7 losers opposite an assumed 7(18-7-7=4)- North can check aces only if playing STANDARD BLACKWOOD with their 5 loser hand , knowing that unless partner has 2 , the bidding can stop in 5D ! Playing Key - card with 4 keys missing , a bid showing 2 'keys' - 5H- shows either 2 aces missing or 1 ace and the trump king missing, you are too high ( above 5D!)

A trifle self- indulgent? Ok ,probably but I hope this is thought provoking.

Peter

This one is less complicated but you need to be accurate.

East 1H, West a disciplined 2C! An unlimited bid that has to receive a response. Here, INT 15/-16/17!  Wow - partner has 15+ and I have 21 and a long suit. You can bid 4C 'Gerber' or 4NT standard Blackwood with no suit having been agreed. The replies show ALL aces and kings are present and to dispel any lingering doubts - what a super long club suit! Just bid 7NT- the second 'Grand' in 3 boards.

More details of any element above - available on request.

Peter

Hand 20 is interesting for several reasons. Modern bridge has become more flexible. Using the Losing Trick Count for ' hand evaluation ' , the Rule of 20(even 19!) for opening and using the Rule of 14 for a  2/1 response are all %/ probability bids that do not always work.
The same can be said of opening 1NT with 11 and with a 5 card major and uprating a 14 point hand to 15 (but less so here!)

Partner North opened 1H!! Unless partner responds 1NT (then pass) there is no REBID!!
2H should show 6 ! Etc
If North has to bid, open INT ..... the hand is PROBABLY worth 12+. Partner responds 3NT- a top!

If North passes, South should look at his major suits and value the hand 15+!! and not open 1NT but ID - INTENDING to rebid 1NT over 1H/1S and 2NT over 2C. So, 1D-1H- 1NT( 15!-16/17) -3NT.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Who would have opened INT if sitting North and who would have valued South's hand at 15 if sitting South? Interesting.................

IF your criteria for opening 2c is 23+ balanced or 8/9/10 playing tricks, you should consider opening this hand 1c! You only have 7 playing tricks in spite of the 24 points! Partner will strain to respond with 4/5 - knowing how you play -and with their hand would reply 1h anyway. You would now show some of your strength by jumping to 2s-19 plus points( after a 1/1 response!)Partner repeats hearts and then you need to know about aces and the queen of trumps. So 4NT , then 5c( assuming that means none!) and then if playing key card you bid the next suit up -5d which asks about the queen. If you have ,  you bid 6 hearts. If partner had shown the ace of diamonds after 4NT ( by bidding 5d) you have all 5 keys , you bid 5S as  you are happy to play in 6h!!) -next suit up( excluding 5h!!) and ask for the queen and if yes partner bids 7!

You may consider this hand too strong to open 1 but with other slightly weaker BSH the tip is to open 1! Plenty of space to construct a bidding sequence.

Non- vulnerable with 2 half -decent 4 card suits, CONSIDER the aggressive approach with that touch of preempting by opening 1NT!

What should south do?? IF your 2c promises a 4 card major and IF 3c is a single suit slam try( and arguably they should!) , you have to consider pass or using those spare bids 2s/ 2nt. They are spare because they are not needed to transfer to a major- IT IS BY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT for you to decide how to use them!

2 suggestions: 2S - transfer to a minor- partner bids 3C - then pass or correct to diamonds. The contract here would be 3c after a 2s bid by responder.

2NT-is then quantitive- with 11/12 points( balanced) Opener can pass or bid 3NT( usually).

Moving quickly from 17 where 5H was bid , but not made by me!! to hand 18.

Hand18. Planning the play by declarer.

The final contract should be 5D X but let's assume that it is 4S by North who with a 5 loser hand should be looking for modest support to reach game. The bidding has revealed that East has nearly all of E/W's points and that East has at least 9 cards in Diamonds and Hearts.

N has to plan the play on a A Hearts lead.

In a trump contract

A) You count your non-trump winners. Here just 3. So

B) To make 10 tricks you need 7 trump tricks.

You have 6 , so you have to trump 1 time in the short trump hand! It cannot be in H or D , so it has to be C . So , you plan to give a C loser to go with the 2 Hearts losers and trump in dummy for your 7th trump trick-contract made!

After 3 rounds of hearts - the 3th being ruffed, you draw just one round of trumps and the jack falls. The principle of ' restricted choice' strongly suggests that this is a singleton and that West has 3. West will also be more likely to have longer clubs perhaps as most of Easts cards ( see above) are red.So, play A K and another club. The Q falls , West has 4 and can be given their club trick as planned and now can only try a trump. But because South has 2 ( only 1 round was played) , South has the trump for the club and 10 tricks are made.

Well done Ann and Nick- for bidding( even if pushed) and even better making 4S doubled?!? ( especially if it wasn't gifted).

There are other ways of making contracts where your target is not straightforward. Look quickly at hand 22.

Here ,you are looking at 8 top tricks and at H and D for the other 2. IF the H finesse works AND they break 3/3 you will make all 4 tricks. Too many ifs and buts!! Look at D- knock out the A and K and you are there.

Not even a close decision. Well done if you bid and made 4S.

I hope those reading found these mainly Declarer Play hands interesting and the commentary helpful. To repeat , this feature is open for you all to make an entry or to request help and advice on a particular hand re Bidding, Declarer Planning and Play , or Defence- 50% of hands! I will call on support from within the membership if needed to answer your questions.

Hand I .
This hand was indeed worthy of Terry's Tips.
The writer of the books I read would comment as follows:
The Losing Trick Count should be used by responder for hand evaluation when they are UFO :
They are unbalanced NO
They have a trump fit( 4+ support) YES
Their side has opened YES

So ,with this hand responder should use HCP high card points to evaluate their hand- 6-9 a single raise, 10-12 a double raise and 13+ to game!
It's the same bid 3S! on this hand.

But ,the hand can be bid differently. With 4+ trumps and 12+HCP you  can use the "Jacoby "convention of 2NT. This is a low level slam try, confirming trumps and giving partner a chance to show if they have anything else to reveal. With a broken second suit and extra values you can make a TRIAL bid of this suit( at the 3 level), asking for support for this suit , with a void or singleton and certainly with this hand here with only 5 losers( the LTC now applies!) you can use a second convention- a "splinter " bid of 4d( a jump to the 4 level here) to show the void or singleton D.If opener has nothing else to say( is minimum ) they close the bidding with 4S!
Because responder has no wasted values in this suit the bidding- Hugh and Jonathan - may/ do reach the 6 level.
Ok, doesn't make on a diamond lead but it's close - it does on any other lead! The D loser disappears on the heart finesse!
 

Hand 6 ( See below for hand)
The same writer would :
A) Open 1NT! They like to rebid 6 card suits and certainly not such a poor 5 carder ,and 5332 is a modern 'balanced' hand. So , 2c stayman, 2s reply, 2NT and then pass - a poor 13!

B) After a 1 S opening the correct reply ( perhaps!) is 2d- lower of 4's. 2NT denies 4 hearts . South without 4 hearts has no rebid- 2NT would show 15-17.

So back to A)- open INT! A balanced hand - 12-14 HCP.

Couldn't resist being thought provoking!!!

When you agree to introduce a method of playing a particular way with your partner , you should be discussing and using a full ' system '. For example, partner opens 2S- alert 'weak' and you sit with a good 15+ points and make the ' asking' bid - 2NT. What next? You are asking partner- how weak , how strong is your weak 2, I am interested in converting your pre- emptive, messing the opposition bidding into something CONSTRUCTIVE. But , have the pair discussed what the opener bids next? There are - inevitably- several options............ This weak 2 topic would  occupy 2/3/4 of Terry's extra sessions- if enough members wanted this.....?

Hand 10.

Do you have a defence to the very popular weak NT opening bid? You should. There is an average of 27 points held by the other three hands. On this hand the natural overcall by S is 2s which is a great result. Pass was not a disaster ON THIS HAND because everybody didn't arrive in 2s, but surely not a good option.
Inevitably ,there is a range of more artificial systems that describe the over callers hand. Consider multi- Landy and for full details Google - multi Landy Neil Rossen.
Using this method all 2 level bids are alerted:

Double ( not alerted) is for penalties.
2c - 4/5 , 5/4 - majors
2d- a 6 card major( simple!- could be all suits!)
2h- 5h and 4 of a minor
2s- 5s and 4 of a minor
2NT- 5+ 5+ both minors.

So, for this hand- the bid is 2c. N then bids their longest major( simple but see Neil Rosen) ,or with no preference - here- 2D . S bids their 5 card suit - 2S !

Your feedback please members! Designed to be thought provoking and a contribution to ascertaining if our bridge club requires further bridge sessions and/ or website help.

Peter

'Interesting Hands' is open to any club member. You can ask for commentary on a hand / hands or provide commentary on a hand / hands yourself.

Commentary may involve any or all of of these options: Bidding, Declarer Play, Planning and Defence.

Currently our club does not offer lessons or training but the 'Interesting Hands' feature provides more opportunities to think about our bridge.

Solving specific hand problems helps us to have an increased understanding of the game which in turn improves our play.

Please contact peter.baines75@gmail.com if you wish to sugget a hand or comment on a hand already on the website.

How aggressive a player are you? Are you prepared to 'tweak' your bidding methods- especially when non- vulnerable?

The Rule of 20 states add your HCP to the number of cards in your 2 longest suits and if you reach 20- open( highest ranking of 5's) . South is 1 short - 19 but with only 6 losers, and is not vulnerable.

I open 1 spade. Pass , 2D from North , X from East showing the other 2 suits, then apply the LTC - South bids 4D!! (assuming North has 8LTs in D)  UFO- unbalanced, fit , open. North makes an inspired switch to S- the priority being to see if 4H, 4S or 3NT is possible.

I planned and played the hand very, very badly!! The post-mortem -  why are you opening with 9 (that hand!) , deflected attention from the play but I knew!

4S makes for a top! Place the Ace S and Q D with East and the Ace D with West and assume trumps are 3/3 - and plan the play. You have to put the cards where you need them to be! It's too late AFTER the hand or when you get home , but never too late to laugh at yourself and learn!

This feature is there for you to ask for a commentary or to provide a commentary on a hand that interests you.