| Trial Bids after Major Suit Agreement |
Responder has directly raised opener’s major suit to the two level and opener, with better than minimum values, introduces a new suit (or bids 2NT) as a try for game.
This new denomination by opener is called a trial bid, the following prevail:
1. A new suit by opener is 100% forcing.
2. The suit will contain at least 3 cards, usually headed by one top honour.
3. Opener will have a poor 5 to a good 7 loser hand. (Generally with a minimum high card
holding opener needs a 5 loser hand, with medium high card values he needs 6 losers,
occasionally 5. With 18 points and 5 losers or 19 points opener should insist on being in
game.)
The purpose of the trial bid is to make responder re-evaluate his hand. Having done so responder will sign-off in 3 of the major, make a return trial bid or bid game.
The criteria that responder uses to assess the possibility of game are:
1. The hand is minimum — return to 3 of the major
2. The hand is maximum — jump to 4 of the major
3. If it is difficult to judge (7-8pts) then examine your holding in the trial bid suit:
With a top honour (A,K or Q) or a singleton and 4 trumps — bid game.
With a small doubleton — usually right to sign-off at the 3 level.
With 3 or 4 small cards — sign-of in 3.
The trial bid attempts to overcome one of the weaknesses of the Losing Trick Count by allowing the partnership to assess “the degree of fit”
e.g. AKJ10x 1S - 2S (i) Qxxx Bid 3S (ii) Qxxx Bid 4S
x 3D - ? QJx xxx
Kxx xxx QJx
Axx Kxx Kxx
While the two responding hands have the same high cards and shape it is obvious that hand (i) is unlikely to make game while hand (ii) would be most unlucky to fail. The difference is the good fit in diamonds.
There are a few special circumstances:
1. Opener Rebids 2NT
This shows 17-18 points in a balanced hand, often with only 4 cards in the major. Responder re-evaluates on the basis of this information, mostly by simple arithmetic. This is the one trial bid that responder can pass, if appropriate; otherwise he bids the agreed major at the 3 or 4 level or 3NT
2. Opener Rebids in the Other Major.
While these trial bids may be based on 3 card suits it is not impossible that a second major suit fit exists. This second 8 card fit is frequently a 4-4 one and it will often play better than the 5-3 or 5-4 fit. If responder (a) does have 4 card support and (b) is going to accept the invitation to game, then a raise of the second major is in order. Opener will then place the contract in the correct denomination, depending on the length of his trial bid suit.
If responder is not interested in game then he must return to 3 of opener’s original suit, even when holding 4 cards in the trial bid suit.
3. The Return Trial Bid,
If responder is unsure of the value of his hand he may bid a suit (below 3 of the agreed major) to enable opener to judge the degree of fit — this is otherwise known as ‘passing the buck’
e.g. lH — 2H x Bid 3D. With 3 small in opener’s trial bid suit and
3C — ? Jl0xx minimum values it is usually right to signoff
AJxxx in 3H. But the hand is not without merit and a xxx try is in order - a return trial bid.
With (i) xxx Opener would be delighted to bid the 22 pt game.
AKQxx
Kx
Axx
With (ii) Kx opener would settle for 3H.
AKQxx
xxx
Axx
What, if any, trial bid do you make with the following hands?
1S – 2S
?
1. KQ109x 2. AQ9xx 3. KQ109x 4. AQJ10x
Ax Qx A QJxx
Axx Axx xx Ax
KQx Kxx Kxxxx xx
3D Pass 3C 3H
5. AQ9xx 6. AQ9x 7. KQJx 8. AQ9xx
Kx Axx Q10x Qx
Axx Axx KJx Axx
KQx KQx AQx KQx
3D/4S 3NT/4S 2NT 3D
How do you respond to opener’s trial bid with the following hands?
1. 1S 2S (a) J10xx (b) Q10xx (c) 109xx
3C ? Axx xxx Kx
KJ10x KJ10x AJxx
xx xx xxx
4S 3S 3D (return trial bid)
2. 1H 2H (a) 109x (b) Ax (c) K109x
2S ? Q10xx Jxxx QJxx
Qxx Qxx Qxx
AJx xxxx xx
4H 3H 3S (4 cards and accepting)
3. 1H 2H (a) Kx (b) QJx (c) xx (d) Kxx
2NT 109xx 109xx Q10xx Kxxx
Jxx K10x Jxxx QJ
A10xx QJxx Kxx xxxx
4H 3NT 3H 4H
4. 1S 2S (a) Qxxx (b) Qxxx (c) Kxxx
3H ? xxxx KQx Q10xx
KJ xxx xx
xxx xxx Kxx
3S 4S 4H (4 cards and accepting)
So what does a re-raise mean?
Partner raises your major to the two level and you now bid three of the same suit.
Since the re-raise is not required as a game try, it can be used as a pre-emptive manoeuvre.
e.g. Q
AKJxxx
Qxxx
Jx
1H – P – 2H – P
?
The opponents can make at least 2S or 3C and might even have game on. They have not found a way into the auction so far and our re-raise to 3H will make it even more difficult for them to compete with any assurance of safety. Balancing over 2H is much easier.
Points to Emphasise
Trial bids are used to assess the degree of fit when hands are close to having game values.
The losing trick count is not so good in this area so trial bids are a useful adjunct in the hand evaluation process.
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