| Lesson 13th January 22 - Strong hands |
Lesson 13th January, specially designed to illustrate bidding strong hands, the boards were not played at a regular club session, click here to see the notes in a printable form Note that "show answer" buttons are showing Robin's comments on the bidding and play rather than actual answers, there are no questions to answer! It is simply a way of holding back the comments until the viewer is ready to see them.
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| Hand 1 - Strong but not strong enough? |
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Two possible bidding sequences:
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W |
N |
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S |
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1♥ |
pass |
1♠ |
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pass |
2♦ |
pass |
2♥ |
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1♥ |
pass |
1♠ |
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pass |
1NT |
pass |
pass |
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2♦ would be Robin’s preference with 9 cards in 2 suits
Opening Lead: ♣ J
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| Hand 2 with Definition of a reverse |
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Definition: A Reverse is part of a bidding sequence, designed to show additional strength without the need to make a jump bid; specifically, two suits are bid in the reverse order to that expected by the basic bidding system.
Reverses are forcing for one round – the responder cannot pass, whereas Opener’s Jump Shift is forcing to game.(for information: 1♥ ……. 1♠ …….. 3♦ …………. Is called a Jump Shift & is forcing to game.
To show preference to a ‘Reverse’ bid, partner of the Reverse generally needs to bid 1 level higher. i.e.
| N |
E |
S |
W |
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| 1♥ |
pass |
1♠ |
pass |
(Non-Reverse bid sequence) |
| 2♦ |
pass |
2♥ |
pass |
South can give (weak) preference to hearts, at the 2 Level. North is not overly strong for this sequence. |
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| But: |
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| 1♦ |
pass |
1♠ |
pass |
(Reverse bid sequence) |
| 2♥ |
pass |
3♦ |
pass |
South has to give preference to diamonds at the 3 Level. North must be strong in tricks/points for this sequence. |
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| (for information: |
1♥ ……. 1♠ …….. |
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3♦ ………… |
Is forcing to game) |
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2♥ is a Reverse, a strong hand 17 points & 5 losers |
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| Hand 4 - Strong Hand with two 4 card black suits |
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With a very strong hand & 5-5 in the black suits open 1♣. That way, it is more convenient to show both 5-card suits. North isn’t good enough for a response of 2NT; 1NT is OK. 3♠ shows 5-5 in the black suits & is very strong. |
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| Hand 4 - Singleton in partner's suit |
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West’s hand is slightly weakened by having a singleton in partner’s suit. However, still worth a Reverse. Without a Club stop East should bid 3C – 4SF |
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| Hand 5 - Not enough for a slam |
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Again responder has a good hand, but not enough to look for a slam. South jumps to game, with no idea of looking for Slam.
Opening Lead: A low spade |
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| Hand 6 - Singleton in suit between two 5 card suits |
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Think it is better with a 6 loser hand (and therefore quite strong) to show both suits with a singleton heart. With two 5-card suits with a singleton in between it is best to open the lower suit as partner is likely to bid your singleton. Otherwise, here, you may miss out on a 5-3 Diamond fit.Tight on points, but a great contract. Best to finesse diamonds twice. |
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| Hand 7 - 4SF and cue bids to find slam |
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2♠ is 4SF. At this point North has no idea what the final contract will be, but partner has reversed & with just 6 LTC himself he knows that they should be bidding a slam. 3♣ =3 card club support, therefore South must have 1 or 0 Spades, i.e.1♦ = 5+ Diamonds, 2♥ = 4+ Hearts, & 3♣ = 3 Clubs. Therefore 0/1 Spades Cue bids, then 6NT, which makes 13 tricks. |
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| Hand 8 - Another 4SF |
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- 2♠ is 4SF
- The 3♥ bid shows 5 Hearts & so to bid the Diamonds first must have 6 Diamonds
- East could make a slam try with 4♣ (=Ace at least), but, the Club void, puts West off a slam. 6♥ makes but is not a good contract, with only a 25% chance of success.
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