This
exercise is adapted from a book by French
internationalist Michel Lebel. Let us know
whether you enjoy this format.
W N
E S
1
Pass Pass 1
?
Consider West's second action with each of the following hands in the
sequence depicted above. Rate the possible
actions: 10 for the best bid, (say) 5 or 6
for a reasonable consideration, 1 for the
bid made by your last partner (bless him).
a)
K J 8
Q J 7
A Q 10 8 6 3
Q
b)
Q 9 5
K 9
A K J 9 7 5
A Q
c)
A Q J 8
J 7
A Q J 9 6
K 8
d)
A Q 9 4
K 4
K Q 10 9
A J 10
e)
A 8
J 3
A Q 10 8 5
A K J 7
f)
A
3
K Q J 8 4 3
A K J 9 7
a) Pass: 10; 2:
5. The diamond suit is decent but not its "gaps"
are worrisome. The outside cards are all
soft and the hand is rather defensive in
nature. When you undertake the two level
facing a partner who could not respond, you
are not trying to steal opposite a few
useful values. Partner won't have them. If
North doubles, you will know that you have
sinned.
b) 1NT: 10; 3:
5; 2NT: 3; 2:
2. In this position, 1NT shows a hand that
is better than a one notrump opening bid. We
like to have a source of tricks but that is
not considered a necessity by the majority
of players. Very aggressive players might
risk 2NT, hoping to reach game opposite the
%Q and the some spade length.
c) 1:
10; Double: 6; 2:
1. One spade shows a two-suiter with
diamonds and spades and an excellent hand.
Double is takeout with extra values. If West
doubles and then corrects East's club bid to
diamonds, he would show a very strong hand
with a longer diamond suit. It is not
necessary to jump shift to show extra values.
The jump shift is best reserved for hands
with at least six-five distribution.
d) Double: 10; 1NT: 6; 1:
1. Double is perfect: extra values and
support for the unbid suits. Some would try
1NT, which is right on high cards but is
better reserved for the hand type in problem
b).
e) 2:
10; Double: 2. When West bids in this
situation he is showing a very good hand. It
is not necessary to jump to show an extra
point or two. It is safer to bid twice with
good suits and extra shape than it is to bid
with a pile of high cards and imperfect
pattern or a relatively balanced hand.
Players who will bid freely with a bit of
shape might feel it necessary to double with
this hand and correct spades to clubs if
necessary. We don't recommend this approach.
f) 3:
10; 5:
7; 2:
3; Double: 1. We could argue the merits of 3
versus 5,
but that argument would lead nowhere. You
need very little for game and 5
will get you there while 3
might not. If North has a bit of fit, any
action should work; if he doesn't, the
gentler action will be better. 5
"sounds" like six-six.