Cuprins

Capitolul 1. Sistemul a. Deschiderea in pozitia 1 si 2

i. 1 ii. 1 iii. 1M iv. 1NT v. 2 vi. 2/2/2 vii. 2NT viii. 3/3/3/3/3NT b. Interventia si Contra de apel c. Deschiderea in pozitiia 3 si 4 d. Redeschiderea Negative Freebids Lebenshol over 1 NT Transfer jump cuebids Two-Way Stayman after a 1NT Rebid 2NT Game Try Wolff Relay After The 2NT Rebid Takeout 1NT Generalitati - Quickies 66 2 3 10 17 22 25 26 27 29 30 33 36 38 42 44 45 60 61 65

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

- Rules to live by 70 -The Box Principle 79 -The Law Of Total Tricks 80 -Restricted Choice 87 -What Is The Value Of The 4th Trump? 91

DESCHIDERILE
In toate exemplele si comentariile cel care deschide este Sud. - semnul "=" denota ordinea exacta a culorilor, la stinga fiind pica - semnul "-" arata orice mina de acea forma, e.g. 4-3-3-3 se interpreteaza ca o mina cu o culoare (oricare) in patru, si celelalte culori in trei - 4+ inseamna minim patru carti in acea culoare NeVul = Nevulnerabil, Vul = Vulnerabil. HCP = puncte de onor, PS = puncte de sustinere ===================================================== Deschiderile cu miini echilibrate(4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, 5-3-3-2, 6-3-2-2, fara singleton, doar minora poate fi in 6, majora poate fi in cinci, daca e slaba si toate celelalte trei culori sunt cu onor) 1NT - este cu 15...17 HCP 2NT Echilibrat, cu 20...22 HCP. Nu se alerteaza. Ecartul de 18...19 HCP se arata deschizind 1X si apoi salt in 2NT. Cu peste 23 se deschide 2 si se reanunta astfel: - 2NT cu 23...24 HCP - 3NT cu 25...27 HCP - 4NT cu 28...30 HCP etc... Deschiderile la nivel de 1 in culoare (12...21 HCP. Limita superioara poate fi mai mica, in functie de calitatea miinii) REG 20 1/1 Culoare in cinci. Nu se alerteaza. 5/5 1 - caroul este min in 4(poate fi in 3 daca trefla e in doi) 1 -, culoarea minim in trei 3 Deschiderea tare de 2 Deschiderea tare a sistemului. Se alerteaza. Deschiderile de baraj de 2/2/2 NV-MIN 2 DIN 5 ONORI CU MIN 3 PO IN CULOARE VUL-MIN 3 DIN 5 ONORI CU MIN 5 PO IN CULOARE Culori in sase. In Vul arata 8...10 HCP, in NeVul 6...10 HCP. Deschiderea de 3NT Gambling pe o minora. Se alerteaza. Barajele naturale 3/3/3/3/4/4/4/4/5/5 Monocolore, in Vul cu 8...10 HCP, in NeVul cu 6...10 HCP. Nu se alerteaza. Pentru tricurile 4 si 5 culoarea trebuie sa fie suficient de lunga si puternica, si fara control in exterior. Deschideri speciale 4NT Blackwood 5/5 Cere licitarea slemului mic cu un onor mare sau a slemului mare cu doi onori mari 6X Cere licitarea slemului mare cu un onor mare ===================================================== CU SALT SI FARA FIT, 4-GERBER 0-3,1,2 4NT-CANTITATIV BW CU FIT 4 NT= RCKB

Deschiderea de 1
===================================================== I. Fara interventia Vestului Raspunsurile Nordului a) 2/2/ Saltul simplu in culoare noua este Weak Jump Shift b) 2NT 8-11 PS,min cinci trefle c) 3NT propune inchidere, arata echilibrat si 13...15 HCP ,fara maj in 4 si fara 5 cl d) Raspunsurile fara salt semnifica: S N 1 1 5... HCP 1/1 minim 5... HCP, natural 1NT 6...9 HCP, in principiu neaga o majora in patru 2 minim 5 trefle, de la 10 HCP in sus e) Altele: 3/4 de baraj, slab, culoare minim in cinci f) Saltul dublu in cul. noua-3/3/3= Splinter pentru trefla,cu 5 1 P 1Y ? 1NT 2NT 3NT Culoare noua 1M continuari P

12..14 balansat poate avea M in 4 ;se continua cu TWS 18..19 HCP, bal. se cont. cu Wolff Relay. (poate avea maj in 4) 16..19 HCP, m solida in 6/7, maxim dubleton in Y 12..17 HCP, culoare 4+,5m, se continua cu TWS 2invit(8-11 po)-2(releu)- 2 OM(maximal cu 10-11 po-catre fa) 2-2(releu)- 3 FA,12+( fit de 3 M,cu onor, cu tinere pe a 4-a) Reverse 2Z 18+ HCP, culoare 4+(rar in 3),GF(5-4 sau 4441) Salt in reverse 3z 19+ PS, Splinter,GF pt y atu Dublu salt in reverse 4Z 19+PS manqu pt y atu 5Z EXCLUSION B pt y atu 2 12..15 HCP, culoare in sase 3 16..17 HCP, 6+, invit. 4 18+,6+,GF 2Y 13..15 PS, patru atuuri(RAR 3)se cont cu 2 nt artif. 3Y 16..18 PS, patru atuuri 4Y (daca Y este cupa sau pica) 19+ PS, patru atuuri, fara singleton 1 1M

P P

1R P ? a patra culoare 2/R/M/ 1NT salt in a patra culoare Z /R/M/NTcu salt salt dublu in culoarea a patra 4 Orice mansa

GF, artificial,min 13 sau mana echivalenta 6..10, natural, NF 13+, GF, 6+ in R si 4 in Z 11..12, natural, invitational 16+, Splinter pentru M 16+, Splinter pentru M 13..15, NF

1 2

P P

1Y P ? culoare noua 2Y 2NT 3 3Y salt in culoare Z la nivel de trei 3NT salt in culoare noua la nivel de 4 4 mansa in majora/minora

11+, semiartificial, F1 6..10, natural, NF 10..12PO, balansat, invitational 10..12PS, natural, invitational 13+, GF 13+, 6+ in Y si 4 in Z, GF 13..16, balansat, NF 16+, Splinter 16+PS,fara scurtime,interes de slem oprire

1 2Z

P P

1Y ? nu se mai joaca a patra f

Continuari si secvente speciale - dupa reanuntul de 1NT al Sudului se joaca Two Way Stayman -2 Starts invitational auctions and one signoff auction. It does not matter which suit West opened. Opener always bids two diamonds, which allows responder to show what kind of invitational hand he has. 2 Game-forcing. Again, it does not matter what suit West opened. The auction must reach game. Opener shows his hand in response to two diamonds. If he has four cards in an unbid major, he shows it. If he has three-card support for partner's major, he shows it. Otherwise, opener makes a descriptive rebid. . Reanunturile respondentului dupa reanuntul de 1NT al deschidentului 1 P 1Y P 1NT P ? 2 declanseaza secvente invitationale si una de stop. Obliga deschidentul sa liciteze 2. 2 FG 2 daca Y nu a fost caro, sign-off absolut. Daca Y a fost pica, deschidentul alege dintre cele doua majore, daca Y a fost cupa atunci paseaza neconditionat. Daca Y a fost caro, atunci 2 arata 5+ carale si 4 cupe, F1 2 sign-off daca Y este pica. Altminteri arata 5+ in Y si 4 in pica, F1 2NT 11..12 HCP, invitational 3 sign-off absolut 3 GF. Arata 5=5, chiar daca Y nu a fost caro si indiferent daca X a fost trefla sau caro sau cupa. Daca Y a fost caro atunci arata o forta deosebita, ST cu 6+ carale solide. 3 GF in toate situatiile. Daca Y este cupa, atunci arata 6+ cupe, distributie mai excentrica decit daca ar fi licitat 2 GF si apoi 3. Daca Y este pica, atunci 3 arata 5=5 pe majore si calitatea ambelor culori este foarte buna. Daca Y a fost caro, respondentul arata 6+ in caro si sing.in cupa, GF 3/4/4 Self Splinter pentru majora Y, cupa 4/4/4 Self Splinter pentru majora Y, pica 3NT natural, inchidere 4Y stop in majora Y 4NT BW cantitativ. Daca respondentul traverseaza 2 GF si reliciteaza propria culoare si apoi liciteaza 4NT - cu salt sau fara - atunci 4NT este KCBW..Trecand prin 2,fara fit, 4 nt e intrebare de asi RAC Nota De fiecare data cind se poate licita in doua moduri, traversind 2 GF si apoi culoarea noua sau salt direct in culoarea noua, saltul arata distributie mai excentrica, 5+=5+, forta. 1 P 1Y P 1NT P 2 P 2 P ? pas sign off cu 5+ carale 2/2 culoare in cinci daca este relicit. sau in 4-5 daca este cul. noua 2NT relativ balansat, fit de patru carti in 3 4 in Y si 5+ , 3Z neinversata, 5-5 pe Y si Z 3Y culoare in sase 1 P 1Y P 1NT P 2 P ? 2Y daca Y este majora, trei carti fara cealala maj in 4 2Z natural, culoare in patru

2NT neaga trei carti in majora Y, neaga patru in majora nelicitata 3m a doua culoare sau relicitarea minorei de deschidere The Wolff Relay, a convention based on an idea by Bobby Wolff, is useful to any partnership not using preemptive jump responses to opening bids of one of a suit. Responder wants to distinguish between forcing and nonforcing bids in his suit(s) when opener rebids 2NT after a one-level response, thereby denying four-card support certainly for responder's major. In the following, X and Y denote arbitrary suits, m is a minor, and M is a major. 1X 2NT 1Y 3Y When responder rebids his major directly, it is forcing, and shows a five or six-card suit. If opener denies three-card support by rebidding 3NT, then responder may pass or, with slam interest, bid 4NT (quantitative, as no trump suit has been agreed) or 5 (Gerber). Holding at least a semi-solid six-card suit and slam interest, he bids 4Y or makes a cue-bid. But if opener bids anything but 3NT or 4Y after 3Y, then that is a cue-bid, agreeing Y as trumps, and showing slam interest and responder's 4NT would be Blackwood. An immediate jump to game (4M or possibly 5m) is a close-out with at least a six-bagger, and denies slam interest. To sign off in his suit, responder first bids 3 artificially. Opener shows three-card support for responder's suit by bidding 3Y, but otherwise rebids 3 . Now responder can sign off by passing 3 or 3Y, or by repeating his suit over 3, after which opener must pass. Responder can sign off in a lower-ranking suit, except clubs, with a weak five-five hand, including dropping the 3-rebid. But if responder's second suit is hearts, then opener, with a super hand for hearts, could still bid game, of course. This is forcing, and the equivalent of Stayman with four-four in the majors. Opener must NEVER bid a four-card spade suit, as this might cross partner's intentions.

1X 2NT 1m 2NT 3/3Y 1m 2NT 3 1m 2NT 3/3

1Y 4Y 1Y 3 Pass/3Y 1 3 Pass/3 1 3 3

- 4th Forcing - saltul dublu la reanuntul Sudului: S N S N 1 1/1 1 1/1 4 = Splinter 4 = Culoare 5+ de trefla+M(5422,caci altfel ai splinter) Ambele secvente arata maximal, sustinere cu patru atuuri, invita la slem - saltul in propria majora a Nordului este invitational S N 1 1 1 3 - dupa licitatia cu salt in propria culoare a Sudului, orice anunt al Nordului devine forcing de mansa: S N 1 1 3 ? = inclusiv 3 este forcing de mansa. Deschiderea palierului 4 cu culoare noua este Splinter pentru trefla II. Daca Vest intervine a) Cu Contra S W 1 Dble

N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - 1X Culoarea noua la nivel de un tric, dupa contra adversarului, este forcing un tur, arata minim 6 HCP, minim in cinci, cu limita superioara oricit de mare - 1NT echilibrat, 7...10 HCP - 2NT echilibrat, 11...12 HCP,control pe celelalte culori - 3NT echilibrat, 13...15 HCP - salt in culoare noua Weak Jump Shift - Rdble, minim 11 HCP, cu miini care nu se preteaza licitarii directe de culoare. Contra dupa Recontra este penalizare - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter

b) Cu 1 S 1

W 1

N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - 1/1, culoare in cinci, minim 6HCP, forcing un tur - 1NT, echilibrat, cu 7..10 HCP - 2NT echilibrat, 11...12 HCP - 3NT echilibrat, 13...15 HCP - salt in culoare noua Weak Jump Shift - cuebid, cu 10...12 HCP, echilibrat dar fara tinere in culoarea adversarului -cuebid cu salt, 13...15 HCP, echilibrat, dar cu tinere in culoarea Transfer Jump Cuebid - Dble pentru cel putin o majora in patru, minim 6HCP - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter W N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - 1 (peste 1) culoare in cinci, minim 6HCP, forcing un tur - culoarea noua, fara salt, la nivel de 2 tricuri este Negative Free Bid(6-11po) - 1NT, echilibrat, cu 7...10 HCP - 2NT echilibrat, 11...12 HCP - 3NT echilibrat, 13...15 HCP - Dble e in doua variante: - pentru cealalta majora in patru, minim 6HCP pentru tricul 1, minim 8 pentru tricul 2 - sau cu mina tare, culoare proprie,12+ HCP - salt in culoare noua Weak Jump Shift - cuebid, cu 10...12 HCP, echilibrat dar fara tinere in culoarea adversarului - cuebid cu salt, 13...15 HCP, echilibrat, Transfer Jump Cuebid - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - Dble este penalizare - Cappelletti (in toate aceste secvente se cauta o partiala) - 2 monocolor, Sud liciteaza 2 si Nord paseaza cu caro sau rectifica in culoarea reala - 2 ambele majore. Sud alege - 2/2 majora respectiva in aditie cu o minora. Sud paseaza cu fit in majora vorbita sau liciteaza 2NT, cu minim 33 pe minore, iar Nord liciteaza culoarea reala - 2NT cu ambele minore, Sud alege

adversarului

c) Cu 1/1 1 S 1/1

d) Cu 1NT S 1

W 1NT

e) Cu bicolor la nivel de doi S W N E 1 2 * ? si - 2 lungime 5+ in trefla, invitational - 2 lungime 5+ in caro, forcing de mansa - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP, posibil cu sustinere. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - 3 7...10 PS - 2 (a patra culoare), culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP - 2NT cu 11...12 HCP, echilibrat, cu tineri in majore - 3NT inchidere - 3/3 Splinter cu scurtime acolo, sustinere buna de trefla, invita la slem

S 1

W 2NT* si

N E ? - 3 lungime 5+ in trefla, invitational la mansa - 3 lungime 5+ in pica, forcing la mansa - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP, posibil cu sustinere. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - 3 7...10 PS - 3 (a patra culoare), culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP, constructiv, non forcing - 3NT inchidere - 4/4 Splinter cu scurtime acolo, sustinere buna de caro, invita la slem N E ? - 3 lungime 4+ in cupa, invitational - 3 lungime 4+ in pica, invitational - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - 3/3 culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP, constructiv, non forcing - 4 cu bicolor 5+5+ pe majore, Sud alege - 3NT inchidere

S 1

W 2NT* si

f) Cu monocolor la nivel de doi sau trei S W N E 1 2X/3X ? - Dble de appel sau peste 12 po - 2NT 1112 HCP, echilibrat, tinere in culoarea adversarului - 3NT inchidere - culoare nouaNFB(pana la 3 d) - sustinere, constructiv, nonforcing - salt in mansa de majora, inchidere - cuebid, forcing de mansa, bicolor de: - majore, daca se cuebideaza pe minora - minore, daca se cuebideaza pe majora - 4NT, Roman 5 Key Card Blackwood, cu atu trefla g) Cu monocolor la nivel de patru - Dble este apel numai pina la interventia de 4 inclusiv(13-16) - 4NT, Roman 5 Key Card Blackwood, cu atu trefla - culoare noua, forcing un tur (17+) III. Daca Vest paseaza, Nord raspunde si Est intervine S W N E 1 Pass 1X Dble ? - 1NT, natural, fara sustinere - Rdble, cu 15+ HCP, maxim cinci trefle - 1/1 (peste 1 de la Nord), cu minimal, culoare in patru - sustinere simpla, cu trei/patru carti (daca Nord a licitat 1 atunci sustinerea este cu patru carti, daca Nord a licitat o majora atunci sustinerea simpla poate fi data cu trei carti) - sustinere cu salt, cu minimal, distributional, fit bun (minim cinci carale peste 1 de la nord, si minim patru carti daca Nord a licitat o majora) - 2, culoare 6+, minimal - 3, culoare 6+, maximal

S W N E 1 Pass 1 1 ? - 1/1NT, natural, 12..14 HCP - Dble, apel, cu patru pici in mina, 15+ HCP - 2 cu scurtime de cupa, fit bun de caro, invitatie la mansa sau mai bun - 2 sustinere, cu 4+.slab -3 fara scurtime de cupa, fit bun de caro, invitatie la mansa - 1NT cu echilibrat, tinere de cupa - 2NT cu 18...19 HCP, fara pica in patru, maxim cinci trefle in mina, cu tinere de cupa - 2, culoare 6+, minimal - 3, culoare 6+, maximal - 3, cuebid, propune 3NT, garanteaza trefla lunga si solida, , dar cu tinere in culoarea Transfer Jump Cuebid -3NT-inchidere S W N E 1 Pass 1 1 ? - 1NT, natural, fara sustinere - Dble, apel, cu patru cupe, 15+ HCP - 2 cu scurtime de pica, fit bun de caro, invitatie la mansa - 2 sustinere, cu 4+ carale, poate fi si mai slab decit in secventa nebruscata -3 fara scurtime de pica, fit bun de caro, invitatie la mansa - 2NT cu 18...19 HCP, fara cupa in patru, maxim cinci trefle in mina, cu tinere de pica - 2, culoare 6+, minimal - 3, culoare 6+, maximal - 3NT, inchidere - 3, cuebid, propune 3NT, garanteaza trefla lunga si solida, , dar cu tinere in culoarea Transfer Jump Cuebid

adversarului

adversarului

S W N E 1 Pass 1/1 Dble/1/1NT/2/2/2 (aici 1NT este conventional) - Dble/Rdble, sustinere de trei carti, Contra Suport, tarie neprecizata - sustine simplu, cu patru carti, sustine cu salt simplu sau dublu, obstructiv, 4 atuuri - culoare noua, natural, forcing un tur, fara sustinere - culoare noua cu salt, natural, bicolor puternic, forcing de mansa - cuebid simplu, cu scurtime, fit 4+, invitatie puternica la mansa - 1NT cu echilibrat, tinere in culoarea adversarului, fara sustinere - 2NT cu 18...19 HCP, fara sustinere, cu tinere in culoarea adversarului - relicitarea culorii fara salt, culoare 6+, minimal, fara sustinere - relicitarea culorii cu salt, culoare 6+, maximal, fara sustinere - 3NT, inchidere Nota: Contra Suport se joaca atunci cind peste raspunsul Nordului de majora Est intervine cu Dble/1/1NT/2/2/2. De remarcat ca 1NT al Estului este conventional (e.g. bicolor), pentru ca daca 1NT este natural nu se mai joaca Contra Suport, vezi mai jos. S W N E 1 Pass 1X 1NT = aici 1NT este natural ? - Dble, penalizare (ori are maximal, ori fiind la atac are de defilat o culoare) - relicitarea culorii fara salt, culoare 6+, minimal - relicitarea culorii cu salt, culoare 6+, maximal - 2X (sustinere), poate fi si doar cu trei carti (rar) - culoare noua, natural, forcing un tur S 1 ? W Pass N 1X E baraj la nivel de doua/trei tricuri

- Dble, apel - relicitarea treflei, lungime - sustinere, invitational - 3NT sau mansa pe majora licitata de Nord, inchidere - culoare noua, forcing un tur - 3/3 peste barajul de 2/2, cuebid, cu trefla lunga, solida, propune 3NT, neaga tinere S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, penalizare - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 2/2/2, inversata, culoare naturala, maximal - 3NT inchidere S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, penalizare - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 2/2, inversata, culoare naturala, maximal - 3NT inchidere - 3, invitational - 3, cuebid, propune 3NT, garanteaza trefla lunga si solida, neaga tinere de caro S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, penalizare - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 2, inversata, culoare naturala, maximal - 3NT inchidere - 3, cuebid, propune 3NT, garanteaza trefla lunga si solida, neaga tinere de cupa S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, cu maximal, (mina cu care nebruscat ar fi invitat cu 2NT), dar fara tinere de pica - 2NT, nvitational - relicitarea culorii, 6+, invitational - 3, forcing - 3, natural, 6 trefle si 4 cupe - 3 forcing de mansa, trefla lunga 6+, puternica, fara stop de pica - 3NT, la fel ca la 3, garanteaza un stop de pica - 4, 6/5, forcing de mansa IV. Daca Vest paseaza, Nord paseaza, si Est redeschide S W N E 1 Pass Pass Dble ? - Rdble, apel, maximal - culoare, natural - 2, 6+ trefle, minimal - 3, baraj (in functie si de vulnerabilitate) S W N 1 Pass Pass ? - Dble, penalizare - 2, 6+ trefle E 1NT S W N E 1 Pass Pass 1X ? - Dble, apel cu inca o culoare, maximal - 2, 6+ trefle - 3, baraj (in functie si de Vul)

- 3, baraj (in functie si de vulnerabilitate)

Deschiderea de 1
Deschiderea de 1 se face in principiu cu min 4 carti ,doar in cazul 4=4=3=2 se poate desc cu 1 caro ===================================================== I. Fara interventia Vestului 1. Raspunsurile Nordului a) Saltul simplu in culoare noua este Weak Jump Shift b) 2NT este 8-11PS,4 carouri min c) 3NT propune inchidere, arata echilibrat si 13...15 HCP d) Raspunsurile fara salt semnifica: S N 1 ? 1/1 minim 5... HCP, natural. 1NT 6...9 HCP, in principiu neaga o majora in 4 2 natural, culoare minim in 5, de la 10 HCP in sus 2 natural, culoare minim in 4, de la 10 HCP in sus e) Altele: 3/4 de baraj, slab, culoare minim in cinci f) Saltul dublu in culoare noua, Splinter pentru caro 1 P 1Y ? 1NT 2NT 3NT Culoare noua 1M continuari P

12..14 balansat se continua cu TWS 18..19 HCP, bal. se continua cu Wolff Relay. 16..19 HCP, m solida in 6/7, maxim dubleton in Y 12..17 HCP, culoare 4+,5m, se continua cu TWS 2invit(8-11 po)-2(releu)- 2 OM(maximal cu 10-11 po-catre fa) 2-2(releu)- 3 FA,12+( fit de 3 M,cu onor, cu tinere pe a 4-a) 2 14-17 HCP, culoare 4+ 3 18+ HCP, culoare 4,GF Reverse 2/2 18+ HCP, culoare 4+(rar in 3),GF Salt in reverse 3/3/4 19+ PS, Splinter,GF pt y atu Dublu salt in reverse4/4 19+PS manqu pt y atu 5Z EXCLUSION B pt y atu 2 12..15 HCP, culoare in sase 3 16..17 HCP, 6+, invit. 4 18+,6+,GF 2Y 13..15 PS, patru atuuri 3Y 16..18 PS, patru atuuri 4Y (daca Y este cupa sau pica) 19+ PS, patru atuuri, fara singleton 1 1 P P 1 P ? 2 1NT/2// 3 2NT/3// 4/4 Orice mansa 1M P ?= 2/2M 2OM 2NT 3 3 3M 3OM/4 3NT/4M/5m

GF, artificial,13+ 5..10, natural, NF 13+, GF, 6+ si 4 11..12, natural, invitational 16+, Splinter pentru 13..15, NF

1 2

P P

5-8,nat,NF 11+GF 9-10, balansat 9-10,invit 4trefle + 9-10,invit cu 4caro+ 9-10,invit cu 6 M Splinter ,cu trefle 11..14, NF

10

1 2

P P

1M P ? 2OM 3 2M 2NT 3 3M 3OM 3NT 4/4 OM 4 4M/5

11+, semiartificial, F1 13+,GF,natural 6..10, natural, NF 10..12, balansat, invitational 10..12, invitational 13+, GF 13+, 6+ in Y si 4 in Z, GF 13..16, balansat, NF 16ps+, Splinter 16 PS fara scurtime oprire

1 ? 2 3 2/2 3/3 2NT 3 3 NT 4 4 4/4 4NT 5 5

P 12..15 HCP, culoare min in cinci 16+,min in sase 12..17 HCP, culoare 4+(rar in 3)F1 18+ HCP, culoare 4+ 12-14 HCP,3=3=4=3 12-14 HCP,4 trefle 18-19 HCP,fara maj in patru 18+HCP,4=4 pe minore,fara scurtime 18+ HCP 2=2=5=4 16 +HCP,splinter pt trefla RKCB 15-17HCP,fara scurtime 12-14 HCP ,7 carale in AK,

Continuari si secvente speciale - dupa reanuntul de 1NT al Sudului se joaca Two Way Stayman - cu 18...19 HCP Sud face salt la 2NT, se continua cu Wolff Relay. - se joaca 2NT Game Try dupa sustinerea unei majore - 4th Forcing to game

Two Way Stayman

. Reanunturile respondentului dupa reanuntul de 1NT al deschidentului 1 P 1Y P 1NT P ? 2 declanseaza secvente invitationale si una de stop. Obliga deschidentul sa liciteze 2. 2 FG 2 daca Y nu a fost caro, sign-off absolut. Daca Y a fost pica, deschidentul alege dintre cele doua majore, daca Y a fost cupa atunci paseaza neconditionat. Daca Y a fost caro, atunci 2 arata 5+ carale si 4 cupe, F1 2 sign-off daca Y este pica. Altminteri arata 5+ in Y si 4 in pica, F1 2NT 11..12 HCP, invitational

11

sign-off absolut GF. Arata 5=5, chiar daca Y nu a fost caro si indiferent daca X a fost trefla sau caro sau cupa. Daca Y a fost caro atunci arata o forta deosebita, ST cu 6+ carale solide. 3 GF in toate situatiile. Daca Y este cupa, atunci arata 6+ cupe, distributie mai excentrica decit daca ar fi licitat 2 GF si apoi 3. Daca Y este pica, atunci 3 arata 5=5 pe majore si calitatea ambelor culori este foarte buna. Daca Y a fost caro, respondentul arata 6+ in caro si sing.in cupa, GF 3/4/4 Self Splinter pentru majora Y, cupa 4/4/4 Self Splinter pentru majora Y, pica 3NT natural, inchidere 4Y stop in majora Y 4NT BW cantitativ. Daca respondentul traverseaza 2 GF si reliciteaza propria culoare si apoi liciteaza 4NT - cu salt sau fara - atunci 4NT este KCBW..Trecand prin 2,fara fit, 4 nt e intrebare de asi RAC Nota De fiecare data cind se poate licita in doua moduri, traversind 2 GF si apoi culoarea noua sau salt direct in culoarea noua, saltul arata distributie mai excentrica, 5+=5+, forta. 1 P 1Y P 1NT P 2 P 2 P ? pas sign off cu 5+ carale 2/2 culoare in cinci daca este relicit. sau in 4-5 daca este cul. noua 2NT relativ balansat, fit de patru carti in 3 4 in Y si 5+ , 3Z neinversata, 5-5 pe Y si Z 3Y culoare in sase 1 P 1Y P 1NT P 2 P ? 2Y daca Y este majora, trei carti fara cealala maj in 4 2Z natural, culoare in patru 2NT neaga trei carti in majora Y, neaga patru in majora nelicitata 3m a doua culoare sau relicitarea minorei de deschidere The Wolff Relay, a convention based on an idea by Bobby Wolff, is useful to any partnership not using preemptive jump responses to opening bids of one of a suit. Responder wants to distinguish between forcing and nonforcing bids in his suit(s) when opener rebids 2NT after a one-level response, thereby denying four-card support certainly for responder's major. In the following, X and Y denote arbitrary suits, m is a minor, and M is a major. 1X 2NT 1Y 3Y When responder rebids his major directly, it is forcing, and shows a five or six-card suit. If opener denies three-card support by rebidding 3NT, then responder may pass or, with slam interest, bid 4NT (quantitative, as no trump suit has been agreed) or 5 (Gerber). Holding at least a semi-solid six-card suit and slam interest, he bids 4Y or makes a cue-bid. But if opener bids anything but 3NT or 4Y after 3Y, then that is a cue-bid, agreeing Y as trumps, and showing slam interest and responder's 4NT would be Blackwood. An immediate jump to game (4M or possibly 5m) is a close-out with at least a six-bagger, and denies slam interest. To sign off in his suit, responder first bids 3 artificially. Opener shows three-card support for responder's suit by bidding 3Y, but otherwise rebids 3. Now responder can sign off by passing 3 or 3Y, or by repeating his suit over 3, after which opener must pass. Responder can sign off in a lower-ranking suit, except clubs, with a weak five-five hand, including dropping the 3-rebid. But if responder's second suit is hearts, then opener, with a super hand for hearts, could still bid game, of course. This is forcing, and the equivalent of Stayman with four-four in the majors. Opener must NEVER bid a four-card spade suit, as this might cross partner's intentions.

3 3

1X 2NT 1m 2NT 3/3Y 1m 2NT 3 1m 2NT

1Y 4Y 1Y 3 Pass/3Y 1 3 Pass/3 1 3

12

3/3

- Saltul dublu la reanuntul Sudului: S N S N 1 1/1 1 1/1 4 = Splinter 4 = Culoare 5+ de caro+4M Ambele secvente arata maximal, sustinere cu patru atuuri, invita la slem - dupa licitatia cu salt in propria culoare a Sudului, orice anunt al Nordului devine forcing de mansa: S N 1 1 3 ? = inclusiv 3 este forcing de mansa. Deschiderea palierului 4 cu culoare noua este Splinter pentru caro - in secventa de sustinere: S N 1 1 2 = exista cazuri cind sustinerea se poate da numai cu trei carti - saltul in propria majora a Nordului este invitational S N 1 1 1 3 II. Daca Vest intervine a) Cu Contra S 1

W Dble

N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - 1X Culoarea noua la nivel de un tric, dupa contra adversarului, este forcing un tur, arata minim 6 HCP, minim in cinci, cu limita superioara oricit de mare(idem pt 2 cl ,dar min 8 po) - Rdble, minim 11 HCP, cu miini care nu se preteaza licitarii directe de culoare, ca mai sus. Daca ulterior Nord liciteaza Contra, este penalizare - 1NT echilibrat, 7...10 HCP - 2NT echilibrat, 11...12 HCP - 3NT echilibrat, 13...15 HCP - 3h,3sp,4cl=dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter - salt in culoare noua Weak Jump Shift

b) Cu 1/1 S 1

W 1/1

N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - 1 (peste 1) culoare in cinci, minim 6HCP, forcing un tur - culoarea noua, fara salt, la nivel de 2 tricuri este Negative Free Bid 6-11po - Dble e in doua variante: - pentru cealalta majora in patru, minim 6 HCP pentru tricul 1, minim 8 HCP pentru tricul 2 - sau cu mina tare, culoare proprie, peste 12 HCP - 1NT echilibrat, 7...9 HCP - 2NT echilibrat, 11...12 HCP - 3NT echilibrat, 13...15 HCP - salt in culoare noua Weak Jump Shift - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter - cuebid, cu 10...12 HCP, echilibrat dar fara tinere in culoarea adversarului - cuebid cu salt, 13...15 HCP, echilibrat, Transfer Jump Cuebid N ? E

c) Cu 1NT S 1

W 1NT

13

- sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - Dble este penalizare - Cappelletti (in toate aceste secvente se cauta o partiala) - 2 monocolor, Sud liciteaza 2 si Nord paseaza cu caro sau rectifica in culoarea reala - 2 ambele majore. Sud alege - 2/2 majora respectiva in aditie cu o minora. Sud paseaza cu fit in majora vorbita sau liciteaza 2NT, cu minim 33 pe minore, iar Nord liciteaza culoarea reala - 2NT cu ambele minore, Sud alege d) Cu bicolor la nivel de doi NOTA: Nord poate pasa si contreaza ulterior. Trebuie sa facem o distinctie intre contra la primul tur si contra la cel de-al doilea!!!! S 1 W 2 * si N E ? - 2 lungime 5+ in trefla, forcing de mansa - 2 lungime (sustinere de patru carti minim) in caro, invitational - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP, posibil cu sustinere. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - 3 7...10 PS - 3 (a patra culoare), culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP - 2NT cu 11...12 HCP, echilibrat, cu tineri in majore - 3NT inchidere - 3/3 Splinter cu scurtime acolo, sustinere buna de caro, invita la slem N E ? - 3 lungime 5+ in caro, invitational la mansa - 3 lungime 5+ in pica, forcing la mansa - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP, posibil cu sustinere. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - 3 7...10 PS - 3 (a patra culoare), culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP, constructiv, non forcing - 3NT inchidere - 4/4 Splinter cu scurtime acolo, sustinere buna de caro, invita la slem N E ? - 3 lungime 4+ in cupa, invitational - 3 lungime 4+ in pica, invitational - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - 3/3 culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP, constructiv, non forcing - 4 cu bicolor 5+5+ pe majore, Sud alege - 3NT inchidere

S 1

W 2NT* si

S 1

W 2NT* si

e) Cu monocolor la nivel de doi sau trei S W N E 1 2X/3X ? - Dble de apel - 2NT 1112 HCP, echilibrat, tinere in culoarea adversarului - 3NT inchidere - culoare noua, forcing un tur, HCP depind de nivelul la care se liciteaza - sustinere, constructiv, nonforcing

14

- salt in mansa de majora, inchidere - cuebid, forcing de mansa, bicolor de: - majore, daca se cuebideaza pe minora - minore, daca se cuebideaza pe majora - 4NT, Roman 5 Key Card Blackwood, cu atu caro f) Cu monocolor la nivel de patru - Dble este apel numai pina la interventia de 4 inclusiv - 4NT, Roman 5 Key Card Blackwood, cu atu caro - culoare noua, forcing un tur III. Daca Vest paseaza, Nord raspunde si Est intervine S W N E 1 Pass 1X Dble ? - 1NT, natural, fara sustinere - Rdble, cu maximal in deschidere, maxim cinci carale - 1 (peste 1 de la Nord), cu minimal, culoare in patru - sustinere simpla, cu trei (rar)/patru carti, poate fi si mai slab decit in secventa nebruscata - sustinere cu salt, cu minimal, distributional, fit bun de minim patru carti - 2, a doua culoare - 2/3, culoare 6+, maximal, respectiv maximal S W N E 1 Pass 1/1 Dble/1/1NT/2/2/2 (aici 1NT este conventional) - Dble/Rdble, sustinere de trei carti, Contra Suport, tarie neprecizata - sustine simplu, cu patru carti, minimal - sustine cu saltsimplu sau dublu, obstructiv, 4+ atuuri - culoare noua, natural, forcing un tur, fara sustinere - culoare noua cu salt, natural, bicolor puternic, forcing de mansa - cuebid simplu, cu scurtime, fit 4+, invitatie puternica la mansa - 1NT, natural, fara sustinere - 2NT cu 18...19 HCP, fara sustinere, cu tinere in culoarea adversarului - relicitarea culorii fara salt, culoare 6+, minimal, fara sustinere - relicitarea culorii cu salt, culoare 6+, maximal, fara sustinere - 3NT, inchidere Nota: Contra Suport se joaca atunci cind peste raspunsul Nordului de majora Est intervine cu Dble/1/1NT/2/2/2. De remarcat ca 1NT al Estului este conventional (e.g. bicolor), pentru ca daca 1NT este natural nu se mai joaca Contra Suport, vezi mai jos. S W N E 1 Pass 1X 1NT = aici 1NT este natural ? - Dble, penalizare (ori are maximal, ori fiind la atac are de defilat o culoare) - relicitarea culorii fara salt, culoare 6+, minimal - relicitarea culorii cu salt, culoare 6+, maximal - 2X (sustinere), poate fi si doar cu trei carti (rar) - culoare noua, natural, forcing un tur

S W N E 1 Pass 1X baraj la nivel de doua/trei tricuri ? - Dble, apel - relicitarea caroului, lungime - sustinere, invitational - 3NT sau mansa pe majora licitata de Nord, inchidere - culoare noua, natural, forcing un tur - 3/3 peste barajul de 2/2, cuebid, cu caro lung, solid, propune 3NT, neaga tinere S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ?

15

- Dble, penalizare pe trefla sau maximal, depinde daca 2 este conventional sau natural - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 2/2, inversata, culoare naturala, maximal - 3NT inchidere - 3, cuebid, propune 3NT, garanteaza caro lung si solid, neaga tinere de trefla S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, penalizare pe caro sau maximal, depinde daca 2 este conventional sau natural - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 2/2, inversata, culoare naturala, maximal - 3NT inchidere S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, penalizare pe cupa sau maximal, depinde daca 2 este conventional sau natural - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 2, inversata, culoare naturala, maximal - 3NT inchidere - 3, cuebid, propune 3NT, garanteaza caro lung si solid, neaga tinere de cupa S W N E 1 Pass 1NT 2 ? - Dble, cu maximal, (mina cu care nebruscat ar fi invitat cu 2NT), dar fara tinere de pica - 2NT, invitatie la mansa - 3 invitational - 3 natural, 6 si 4 cupe - 3 forcing de mansa,6 , dar fara stop de pica - 3NT la fel ca la 3, garanteaza un stop de pica - 4 cu 6/5, forcing de mansa

16

Deschiderea de 1/1
Deschiderea de majora nu se alerteaza. Garanteaza cinci carti in culoare deschidere de majora. ===================================================== I. Fara interventia Vestului 1. Raspunsurile Nordului: a) Sustineri Bergen 2NT Jacoby12+HCP 2M= 0- 6PStrei atuuri 3= 7- 9PS- patru atuuri 3=10-12PS- patru atuuri 2peste 1=13PS+4 atuuri cu singleton.Releul 2 NT cere sing. 3peste 1=13PS+4 atuuri cu singleton.Releul 3 cere sing cu 13-16 PS Releul 3 NT cere sing cu 17+PS b) 3NT propune inchidere, arata echilibrat si 13...15 HCP c) Raspunsurile fara salt semnifica: S N 1M ? 1 peste 1 de la Sud, 6... HCP, patru carti in pica 1NT 6...9 HCP. Secventa S N 1 1NT = neaga in principiu pica in patru 2/2 minim 4 carti in culoare, de la 10 HCP in sus 2 minim 5 carti in culoare, de la 10 HCP in sus Regula: Cu valori invitationale la mansa Nord va debuta cu culoarea mai lunga d) Splinterul este dublul salt in culoare noua 1 1 4/4/4=17+PS,4 atuuri =manque |SE CONT CU CUE DE ASI SAU RKCBW 3/4/4=17+PS,4 atuuri =manque |SE CONT CU CUE DE ASI SAU RKCBW

S 1 ?

N 1

1NT =12-15HCP se continua cu TWS 2 =12-15HCP sase cupe 2 =12-15HCP patru pici(rar 3) 2/2=13-17 HCP ,4+ carti in culoare,rar3 .Se continua :2=5-8po ;2=5-9 po ; 3=10-11po : 3=10-11po ;2NT=8-10PO ;MANSA e inchidere -a patra forcing de mansa 2NT =18-19HCP,5 cupe se cont. Cu WOLFF R. 3/3=18+,4+ carti in culoare 3/ =16-18,invitational 4/4=splinter pt pica,16HCP 4/ =inchidere 4NT =RKCB 5/5=exclusion bw S N 1M 2X ? -2=13-17 HCP ,4+ carti in culoare, . in continuare :2M=10-11 ;3M=16+ ;4M=12-15 ,trei atuuri -2M=12-14HCP,culoare min in 5 -2OM=13-17 HCP ,4+ carti in culoare,rar3. in continuare :2M=10-11 ;3M=16+ ;4M=12-15 ,trei atuuri. -2NT=12-14HCP,balansat

17

-3X =12-14HCP sustinere -3 =cand X e caro/cupa,15+,4+ trefle -3 =cand X cupa,15+,4+carale -3 =cand X e trefla,18+,4+carale -3OM =18+,4+ carti -3M =18+,6+ carti -3NT =15-18HCP ,balansat -4m/OM=19+PS splinter pt X -4X =15+ cu sustinere -4M/5m=inchidere15-17ps -4NT =RKCB -5om/OM=exclusion bw

Continuari si secvente speciale - dupa reanuntul de 1NT al Sudului se joaca Two Way Stayman - cu 18...19 HCP Sud face salt la 2NT (dupa 1 de la Nord), se continua cu Wolff Relay.

Two Way Stayman

. Reanunturile respondentului dupa reanuntul de 1NT al deschidentului 1X P 1Y P 1NT P ? 2 declanseaza secvente invitationale si una de stop. Obliga deschidentul sa liciteze 2. 2 FG 2 daca Y nu a fost caro, sign-off absolut. Daca Y a fost pica, deschidentul alege dintre cele doua majore, daca Y a fost cupa atunci paseaza neconditionat. Daca Y a fost caro, atunci 2 arata 5+ carale si 4 cupe, F1 2 sign-off daca Y este pica. Altminteri arata 5+ in Y si 4 in pica, F1 2NT 11..12 HCP, invitational 3 sign-off absolut 3 GF. Arata 5=5, chiar daca Y nu a fost caro si indiferent daca X a fost trefla sau caro sau cupa. Daca Y a fost caro atunci arata o forta deosebita, ST cu 6+ carale solide. 3 GF in toate situatiile. Daca Y este cupa, atunci arata 6+ cupe, distributie mai excentrica decit daca ar fi licitat 2 GF si apoi 3. Daca Y este pica, atunci 3 arata 5=5 pe majore si calitatea ambelor culori este foarte buna. Daca Y a fost caro, respondentul arata 6+ in caro si sing.in cupa, GF 3/4/4 Self Splinter pentru majora Y, cupa 4/4/4 Self Splinter pentru majora Y, pica 3NT natural, inchidere 4Y stop in majora Y 4NT BW cantitativ. Daca respondentul traverseaza 2 GF si reliciteaza propria culoare si apoi liciteaza 4NT - cu salt sau fara - atunci 4NT este KCBW..Trecand prin 2,fara fit, 4 nt e intrebare de asi RAC Nota De fiecare data cind se poate licita in doua moduri, traversind 2 GF si apoi culoarea noua sau salt direct in culoarea noua, saltul arata distributie mai excentrica, 5+=5+, forta. 1X P 1Y P 1NT P 2 P 2 P ? pas sign off cu 5+ carale 2/2 culoare in cinci daca este relicit. sau in 4-5 daca este cul. noua 2NT relativ balansat, fit de patru carti in 3 4 in Y si 5+ , 3Z neinversata, 5-5 pe Y si Z

18

3Y culoare in sase 1X P 1Y P 1NT P 2 P ? 2Y daca Y este majora, trei carti fara cealala maj in 4 2Z natural, culoare in patru 2NT neaga trei carti in majora Y, neaga patru in majora nelicitata 3m a doua culoare sau relicitarea minorei de deschidere The Wolff Relay, a convention based on an idea by Bobby Wolff, is useful to any partnership not using preemptive jump responses to opening bids of one of a suit. Responder wants to distinguish between forcing and nonforcing bids in his suit(s) when opener rebids 2NT after a one-level response, thereby denying four-card support certainly for responder's major. In the following, X and Y denote arbitrary suits, m is a minor, and M is a major. 1X 2NT 1Y 3Y When responder rebids his major directly, it is forcing, and shows a five or six-card suit. If opener denies three-card support by rebidding 3NT, then responder may pass or, with slam interest, bid 4NT (quantitative, as no trump suit has been agreed) or 5 (Gerber). Holding at least a semi-solid six-card suit and slam interest, he bids 4Y or makes a cue-bid. But if opener bids anything but 3NT or 4Y after 3Y, then that is a cue-bid, agreeing Y as trumps, and showing slam interest and responder's 4NT would be Blackwood. An immediate jump to game (4M or possibly 5m) is a close-out with at least a six-bagger, and denies slam interest. To sign off in his suit, responder first bids 3 artificially. Opener shows three-card support for responder's suit by bidding 3Y, but otherwise rebids 3 . Now responder can sign off by passing 3 or 3Y, or by repeating his suit over 3, after which opener must pass. Responder can sign off in a lower-ranking suit, except clubs, with a weak five-five hand, including dropping the 3-rebid. But if responder's second suit is hearts, then opener, with a super hand for hearts, could still bid game, of course. This is forcing, and the equivalent of Stayman with four-four in the majors. Opener must NEVER bid a four-card spade suit, as this might cross partner's intentions.

1X 2NT 1m 2NT 3/3Y 1m 2NT 3 1m 2NT 3/3

1Y 4Y 1Y 3 Pass/3Y 1 3 Pass/3 1 3 3

- se joaca 2NT Game Try dupa sustinerea simpla - 4th Forcing - saltul simplu dupa sustinere reprezinta Splinter S N 1 1 2 4/4 - daca deschidentul face salt in propria majora, orice anunt al Nordului devine forcing de mansa. Mai mult, deschiderea palierului patru cu culoare noua este Splinter. S N 1 1 3 4 = Splinter

I. Daca Vest intervine a) Cu Contra S W 1M Dble

N E ? - sustinere simpla, cu 6...9 PS, trei atuuri - sustinere cu salt simplu, maxim 9 PS, patru atuuri - sustinere cu salt dublu, maxim 9 PS, 5+ atuuri - culoare noua fara salt este Negative Free Bid, fara sustinere - 2NT , 10...12 Po,echilibrat - 1NT echilibrat, 7...9 HCP, doua atuuri

19

- 3NT echilibrat, inchidere - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter - Rdble, 12... HCP -pas si apoi relicitare,sing in M,TENTA DE PENALIZARE CU DBL -3cl,3d,2/3 OM salt in cul noua=fit showing 5 in acea cul +4 in M=6+PO,FORCING b) Cu 1 S 1 W 1 N E ? - sustinere simpla, cu 6...9 PS, trei atuuri - sustinere cu salt simplu, maxim 9 PS, patru atuuri - sustinere cu salt dublu, maxim 9 PS, 5+ atuuri - culoare noua fara salt este Negative Free Bid, fara sustinere - 2NT simplu cu 10...12 HCP si echilibrat, cu tinere de pica - 1NT echilibrat, 7...9 HCP, doua atuuri - 3NT echilibrat, inchidere - cuebid, 10...12 PS, cu 4+ atuuri - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter - Dble, 12... HCP

c) Cu 1NT S 1M

W 1NT

N E ? - sustinerea la orice nivel este baraj - Dble este penalizare - 2/2/2OM naturale, inchidere

d) Cu monocolor la nivel de doi. Nord: S W N E 1M 2X ? - sustinere simpla, cu 6...9 PS, trei atuuri - sustinere cu salt simplu, maxim 9 PS, patru atuuri - sustinere cu salt dublu, maxim 9 PS, 5+ atuuri - culoare noua fara salt (pina la 3 inclusiv) este Negative Free Bid - 2NT , 10...12 PO,cu tinere - dublu salt in culoare noua, Splinter - Dble, 10+... HCP - 3NT echilibrat, inchidere -cue ori spre 3 nt(12+) ori 10+PS cu min 4 M, e) Cu monocolor la nivel de trei S W N 1/1 3/3 ? - sustinerea este Limit bid - Dble este apel - culoare noua fara salt este forcing un tur - 3NT inchidere - cuebid cu invitatie la slem, forcing de mansa S W N 1 3 ? - Dble este apel pe minore - 3NT inchidere - 4/4 naturale, invitationale - 4M inchidere - cuebid cu forta de slem

f) Cu monocolor la nivel de patru - Dble este apel numai pina la interventia de 4 inclusiv - 4NT Roman 5KCB, cu atu pica - culoare noua, forcing un tur g) Cu bicolor la nivel de doi 1. Cazul in care numai o culoare a flancului este precizata

20

S 1 1

W 2 2

N ? (unde 2 este bicolor pe pica si o minora neprecizata) ? (unde 2 este bicolor pe cupa si o minora neprecizata) - cuebidul este limit bid (sau mai bun) pentru culoarea Sudului - cuebidul cu salt (sau saltul la 4/4) e Splinter, invita la slem - Dble cu 10...12, fara sustinere de trei carti. Acum, Sud: - Dble, penalizare - Pass (dupa vorbirea Estului) forcing, propune penalizare daca Nord are tineri in atuul flancului - culoare noua, 5+, forcing la mansa - 3NT inchidere - cuebid intirziat in majora flancului, forcing la mansa, NEAGA tinere in culoarea pe care flancul a agreat-o, Nord zice 3NT daca are tinerea respectiva - 2NT cu 11...12, fara sustinere, cu tinere in cupa - atit sustinerea la orice nivel cit si culoarea noua fara salt sunt non forcing

2. Cazul in care ambele culori sunt cunoscute S W N 1/1 2NT* ? (si) - 3 este: - daca S a deschis 1 sustinere buna de cupa, invitational - daca S a deschis 1 arata cupa 5+, forcing de mansa - 3 este: - daca S a deschis 1 arata pica 5+, forcing de mansa - daca S a deschis 1 sustinere buna de pica, invitational - Dble, propune penalizare, 9...10 HCP, posibil cu sustinere. Est va alege una dintre culorile flancului, si acum S: - Dble, cu maximal - Pass, cu minimal, Nord inca mai poate contra de penalizare - sustine simplu cu 7...10 PS - a patra culoare, culoare in 6+, cu 7...10 HCP, constructiv - 3NT inchidere - 4/4 Splinter cu scurtime acolo, sustinere buna, invita la slem III. Daca Est intervine Secvente: S W N E 1 Pass 1NT Dble ? - 2 este slab, pentru a obliga adversarii sa liciteze la nivel de trei tricuri, sase carti - Rdble arata 16... HCP, tarie - pentru alte variante Sud poate pasa, si ulterior contreaza sau licita 2

21

Deschiderea de 1NT(poz 1,2,3,4)

Deschiderea garanteaza 15...17 HCP si cu distributie echilibrata. Prin distributie echilibrata se intelege 4-3-3-3, 4-43-2, 5-3-3-2, 6-3-2-2. Culoarea in cinci poate fi minora sau majora, in acest ultim caz majora este nu mai buna de Q10xxx, si distributia este precis 5-3-3-2. 2. Can you open 1NT with a five-card major suit ? It is all right to do so, although your partnership should be in agreement that it is OK to do so. If you do bid 1NT with a five card major, you should not have a very good major suit and you should have all other suits stopped. Q8652 K2 AJ9 KQJ This is an acceptable opening 1NT bid.

In 6 poate fi doar minora si evaluarea maximal.(16 bune sau17,18rele)ex:AJ;AQ;Q10XXXX;KQX ===================================================== I. Vest nu intervine - 2, Stayman, punctaj neprecizat. Sud are trei raspunsuri: - 2, fara majora in patru. Nord: - Pass, cu fit de caro (distributia Nordului: 5=4=4=0, 4=5=4=0, 4=4=5=0, 4=4=4=1) - 2, cu bicolor slab cupa si pica, min 4/4. Daca Sud rectifica in 2, Nord poate pasa min 4/4 - 2 cu un bicolor slab de pica si o minora(min5=4). Sud poate pasa sau revine in 3, la care Nord paseaza sau rectifica in 3. - 2NT, invitational la 3NT, nu e obligatoriu sa aiba majora in patru - 3/3, 4+, GF, Nord poate avea si o majora in patru - 3 cu 4=5 pe majore, GF -3 cu 5=4 pe majore, GF - 4 cu 4=6 pe majore, GF. Sud: 4 e ST pentru cupa, 4 inchidere - 4 cu 6=4 pe majore. Sud: 4 e ST pentru cupa, 4 inchidere - 4 cu 55 pe majore, fara pretentii de slem - 3NT inchidere, - 4NT BW cantitativ - 2, cupa in patru, poate si pica. Nord: - 2 cu bicolor slab de pica plus o minora(min5=4). Sud paseaza sau revine in 3, la care Nord paseaza sau rectifica in 3 - 2NT, invitational la 3NT, nu e obligatoriu sa aiba majora in patru - 3/3, 5+, GF, Nord poate avea si pica in patru - 3, invitatie la mansa - salt in culoare noua, Splinter - 4 stop - 3NT inchidere cu pica in 4, - 4NT RKC - 2, pica in patru, exclude cupa. Nord: - 2NT, invitational la 3NT, nu e obligatoriu sa aiba majora in patru - 3/3, 5+, GF, Nord poate avea si cupa in patru - 3, invitatie la mansa - salt in culoare noua, Splinter,3h=cue - 4 stop - 3NT inchidere, garanteaza patru cupe, Sud poate rectifica in 4 - 4NT e RKC - 2 Jacoby, transfer de cupa, Sud automat liciteaza 2. Acum, Nord: - 2, invitational, cu 4=5 pe majore - 2NT invitational, cu cinci cupe, e.g. 3=5=3=2 - 3/3, natural, 4+, GF - 3 invitational, cu sase cupe - 3NT COG cu echilibrat, cinci cupe, e.g. 3=5=3=2, Sud paseaza sau rectifica in 4 - 3/4/4, salt simplu in culoare noua, Splinter - 4 inchidere, mai tare decat 4, zise direct,-MEDIU

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- 2, Jacoby, transfer de pica, Sud automat liciteaza 2. Acum, Nord: - 2NT invitational, cu cinci pici, e.g. 5=3=3=2 - 3/3, natural, 4+, GF - 3 invitational, cu 5=4 pe majore - 3 invitational, cu sase pici - 3NT cu echilibrat, cinci pici, e.g. 5=3=3=2, Sud paseaza sau rectifica in 4 - 4/4/4, salt simplu in culoare noua, Splinter - 4 inchidere,mai tare decat 4 zise direct=MEDIU - 2 cu un monocolor slab sau tare de sase/sapte pe o minora. Sud porneste de la premisa ca Nord are slab: - 2NT, cu A sau K pe ambele minore si controale bune in exterior, invita la 3NT. Nord: - 3NT cu onor mare in minora, apreciaza ca defileaza culoarea, sau are tarie - 3/3 minora reala, slab - 3/3/4m, -cue pt o minora.Releul 3 nt cere precizarea - 3NT inchidere - 3, cu cel putin o minora fara A sau K, iar Nord: - paseaza, cu minimal si cu trefle - 3, cu minimal si lungime de caro - 3/3/4m, -cue pt o minora.Releul 3 nt cere precizarea - 3NT, propune inchidere - 2NT cu 55 pe minore, ori slab, ori forcing de mansa, NU invitational. Sud alege 3/3, iar Nord: - paseaza, cu slab - cuebideaza 3/3, forcing de mansa - 3 cu 55 trefla+ o alta culoare , invitational. Sud: - paseaza, daca apreciaza astfel - 3, cu minimal, vrea sa joace partiala in cealalta culoare a Nordului, care: - paseaza, cu caroul - 3/3 cu culoarea respectiva - 3 interes de mansa, cere a doua culoare a Nordului, in trepte: - 3, caroul - 3NT, cupa - 4, pica - 3 cu 55 caro+ majora , invitational. Sud: - paseaza, daca apreciaza astfel - 3, semnal de oprire, la care Nord paseaza cu cupe sau rectifica in 3 -3 nt -stop - 4, inchidere, Nord paseaza sau rectifica la 4 -3=GF pe pica daca M e pica.sau 3 NTdaca M e cupa -5=aia e - 3 invitational, 5=5 pe majore. -3- GF 5=5 pe majore,slam try. - 3NT inchidere - 4-RAC -4/4/4/5--transferuri-to play -4NT-cantitativ II. Vest intervine 1. Cu Contra. Apararea se face in functie de ce semnifica aceasta contra. a) Contra este (cel putin propunere de) penalizare, adica nu distributionala, Nord:D,O,N,T - Pass, cu echilibrat 4-3-3-3/4-4-3-2, tarie neprecizata. Daca Est nu intervine, Sud: - pas, daca este echilibrat - Rdble, cu o culoare in cinci. Acum, Nord paseaza daca este tare sau zice automat 2 cu slab, la care Sud pas sau zice culoarea in cinci - 2 trefla plus o alta culoare. Sud: - Pass cu trefla minim in trei - 2 cu maxim 2 trefle, iar Nord

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- Pass cu caroul - 2/2 culoarea reala - 2 caro plus o majora, si Sud are la dispozitie: - Pass cu caroul minim in trei - 2 cu maxim 2 carale, iar Nord - Pass cu cupa - 2 cu pica - 2 cupa si pica, si Sud - Pass, cu cupa - 2, altminteri - 2, culoare in sase, slaba, stop - 3/33/3, culoare in sapte, mina slaba - Redouble se da cu monocolor de sase carti, Sud este obligat sa liciteze 2, si singura licitatie invitationala a Nordului este 2 , restul toate sunt pentru joc: b) Contra este distributie (Brozel, DONT, etc...). Nord are la dispozitie: - Toate anunturile din sistem ramin valabile (Stayman, Jacoby...) - Redbl arata ca: i) daca se joaca 1NT, contractul se face ii) Urmat. Contra data de oricare dintre Nord/Sud va fi lasata in penalizare 2. Cu 2. Toate vorbirile din sistem ramin valabile. Secventele Stayman se declanseaza prin Dble 3. Cu 2/2/2. Se joaca Lebensohl 4. Cu 3/3. Nord are la dispozitie: - Dble, apel - cuebid, cu bicolor 55 major, forcing de mansa - 3/3 invitational - 3NT inchidere 5. Cu 3/3. Nord: - Dble, apel pe cealalta majora, invitational - 3NT, inchidere - 4/4 forcing de mansa 6. Cu 4/4. Nord: - Dble, apel pentru majore - 4/4, inchidere III. Vest nu intervine, Nord raspunde, si Est intervine S W N E 1NT Pass 2 Dble ? - Rdble, cu ambele majore in patru - celelalte vorbiri sunt System On S W N E 1NT Pass 2/2 Dble ? - Rdble, cu culoare 5+ in culoarea la care Est contreaza, propune joc acolo - Pass cu 2 carti in culoarea reala a Nordului - face transferul, cu 3+ carti in culoarea reala a Nordului S W N E 1NT Pass 2X 2NT(bicolor) ? - Dble, are de penalizare in oricare dintre culorile Estului

Deschiderea de 2
24

Deschiderea de 2 se alerteaza. Este deschiderea tare a sistemului.min17po,nr de perdante mai mic decat levate de top(sau egale ,in fct de evaluare) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = I. Fara interventia Vestului I.a) Raspunsurile posibile la deschiderea de 2 S N 2 ? 2 Ori semipozitiv ori pozitiv cu echilibrat. 2 Dublu Negativ, mai putin de doua Dame in mina 2 Pozitiv cu culoare de cupa 2NT Pozitiv cu culoare de pica 3/3 Pozitiv cu culoare de trefla, respectiv caro 3/3/4/4 Culoare in sase, puternica, din care lipseste A sau K , fara control in exterior 3NT Culoare neprecizata, 6+, cu AKQ cel putin. Fara control in ext In principiu se continua natural. Dupa anunturile cu transfer, daca deschidentul accepta transferul, orice culoare noua de la Nord devine cuebid spre slem. Licitarea mansei de catre oricare dintre parteneri arata o mina minimala si fara interes de slem, totusi nu este stop obligatoriu, caci daca partenerul are valori neanuntate poate continua. I.b) Reanunturile deschidentului dupa raspunsurile de 2 si de 2 S N 2 2 sau 2 ? (2sau3)/2/3/3 Culoare (daca e in cinci mina e dezechilibrata) 2NT Echilibrat, cu 22...24 HCP (poate fi si cu 5-3-3-2) 3/3/4/4 Aceasta licitatie fixeaza atuul 3NT Echilibrat, cu 25...27 HCP 4/4 Culoare. Sud se bazeaza mai mult pe lungime, decit pe HCP I.c) Continuare dupa reanuntul de 2NT al deschidentului Vezi continuarile dupa deschiderea de 2NT. II. Daca Vest intervine S W N E 2 2 ? - Double cu negativ absolut, mai putin de doua Dame in mina - Culoare noua, cu doi onori mari in virf, cel mai probabil in sase - Cuebid, cu pozitiv, tricolor 1444 cu singleton in culoarea adversarului - Pass, cu orice semipozitiv. De cele mai multe ori Nord va opta pentru pass,si sud : - Culoare noua fara salt, monocolor - Saltul are acceasi semnificatie ca in secventa nebruscata - 2NT apel cu bicolor - Cuebid, cu tricolor, scurtime in culoarea adversarului - Double, cu echilibrat, mina de NT. Nord poate transforma in penalizare sau continua ca si cum Sud ar fi licitat 2NT, recte 3 Puppet, etc - FA minim, natural, mina cu tinere in culoarea adversarului, echilibrat S W N E sau S W N E 2 4 Pass Pass 2 Pass 2 4 ? ? - Double, apel, cu pica si o minora - 4NT, apel pe ambele minore - 5/5, naturale III. Daca Est este cel care intervine S W N E S W N E 2 Pass 2 2 2 2 Pass Pass ? ? Se pastreaza anunturile din secventa cu exceptia contrei, care devine de penalizare, intrucit Sud poate pasa cu mina de NT.

Deschiderea de 2/2/2 slabe

Deschiderile slabe se fac cu culoare in sase, 6...10 HCP in NeVul si 8...10 HCP in Vul.

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===================================================== I. Fara interventia Vestului Raspunsurile Nordului S 2/2/2 N ? - Sustinere

Sustinerea la orice nivel este continuarea barajului. Regula: Cu patru carti in culoarea Sudului, cu un singleton/manque, si fara pretentii de slem, atunci, indiferent de vulnerabilitate, Nord sustine la tricul 4. - 2NT Cere precizare. Sud raspunde astfel (conventia Ogust): - 3 Mina slaba, culoare slaba - 3 Mina slaba, culoare buna - 3 Mina buna, culoare slaba - 3 Mina buna, culoare buna - 3NT Culoarea gardata de AKQ - Releul (sarind eventual peste 2NT) arata forcing de mansa, cere Sudului sa precizeze daca are un singleton, astfel: i) daca deschiderea a fost de 2/2: - prima treapta = trefla - a doua treapta = caro - a treia treapta = cealalta majora ii) daca deschiderea a fost de 2: - prima treapta = trefla - a doua treapta = cupa - a treia treapta = pica In ambele variante, fara singleton Sud revine in 3NT - 4NT, 5RKCB - 5 in Majora II. Daca Vest intervine Sustinerea la orice tric ramine in continuare continuare de baraj. - Cu Contra Recontra Nordului arata o mina care asigura cel putin palierul trei. Este si o propunere de penalizare. Sudul va transforma in penalizare Contra Nordului daca are in defensiva o levata si jumatate pentru contra la nivelul trei si o levata defensiva pentru palierele superioare. Daca Est liciteaza atunci Sud este liber la vorbire. Daca licitatia s-a mentinut la tricul trei atunci Sud trebuie sa arate levatele defensive, pasind cu mai putin de o levata sau contrind cu o levata si jumatate, evident, daca Nord nu recontreaza, Sud este degrevat de orice obligatie. - Cu culoare sau cu NT Contra Nordului este penalizare. III. Daca Est intervine pe un releu care cere precizari in trepte, raspunsurile ramin aceleasi, decalate cu: Pass = prima treapta, Double = a doua treapta, Proxima = a treia... etc.

Deschiderea de 2NT
26

Deschiderea garanteaza 20...21 HCP, si distributie echilibrata. Prin distributie echilibrata se intelege 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, 5-3-3-2, 6-3-2-2. Culoarea in cinci poate fi minora sau majora. Spre deosebire de deschiderea de 1NT, aici majora poate fi puternica. Doar o minora poate fi de sase carti. Licitatia subsecventa deschiderii de 2NT este identica cu cea de dupa deschiderea de 2 si reanuntul de 2NT - care arata 22...24 HCP, cu ajustarea de rigoare a punctajului. ===================================================== I. Fara interventia Vestului Raspunsurile Nordului 1. 3 Puppet Stayman 2. 3/3 transferuri de cupa, respectiv pica. Dupa transfer, Nord poate continua: - 3NT, si Sud paseaza fara fit sau corecteaza in 4M cu fit - 4M in majora reala, inchidere - culoare noua, invitatie la slem 3. 3NT inchidere 4. 3 cu o minora de minim sase carti, fara controale in exterior. Sud inca mai poate decide pentru 3NT daca acopera celelalte culori si are un onor mare in ambele minore, sau revine in 4, la care Nord paseaza cu minora respectiva sau corecteaza in 4, sau chiar mansa pe minora, daca liciteaza 5, Nord paseaza sau rectifica in 5. Intrucit acest 3 este forcing un tur, Nord se poate incadra pe aceasta secventa si cu monocolor de minora tare, cu forta de slem, acest lucru reiese din urmatoarea licitatie a sa: S N 2NT 3 4 ? - Pass cu monocolor slab de trefla - 4 cu monocolor slab de caro - 4/4 cuebid, tare, invita la slem de minora sau NT - 5/5 monocolor de minora suficient pentru mansa 5. 4 bicolor minim 55 de minore, invitatie la slem. Acum, Sud: - 4/4, cuebiduri, accepta invitatia cu atu trefla - 4 accepta invitatia cu atu caro - 4NT 5 Key Card Blackwood, cu atu trefla - 5/5 respinge invitatia de slem. Nord mai poate totusi licita slemul. 6. 4/4 Texas pentru cupa, respectiv pica. Dupa efectuarea transferului Nord inca mai poate licita, moment in care se descrie cu forcing de slem. 7. 4NT BW Cantitativ 8. 5/5 culoare in opt, slab, totusi Sud poate licita slemul, cu onori in minora si controale in exterior II. Daca Vest intervine Cu Contra S W N E 2NT Dble ? - Redouble este SOS, arata un monocolor, obliga deschidentul sa liciteze 3, dupa care Nord paseaza cu trefla sau rectifica in culoarea sa - Celelalte anunturi isi pastreaza semnificatia ca in secventa nebruscata, cu 3 Puppet Stayman Cu 3 S W N E 2NT 3 ? - Dble este Puppet Stayman. Sud poate pasa pentru penalizare, in functie de propria mina, de eventualul fit pe majore si de culoarea de trefla

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si de vulnerabilitate - 4 este bicolor minim 55 pe majore, Sud alege - 3/3 Jacoby - 4/4 naturale, inchidere - 3NT inchidere - 4NT Blackwood Cu 3 S 2NT W 3 N E ? - Dble este Stayman (atentie, nu Puppet Stayman!). Sud poate pasa pentru penalizare, in functie de propria mina, de eventualul fit pe majore si de culoarea de trefla si de vulnerabilitate. Fara majora si fara carale Sud revine in 3NT - 4 este bicolor minim 55 pe majore, Sud alege - 3/3/4/4 naturale, pentru joc, inchidere - 3NT inchidere - 4NT Blackwood

N E ? - Dble este apel pentru cealalta majora. Sud poate pasa in penalizare - 3 (dupa interventie de 3), natural, inchidere - 3NT inchidere. - 4/4/5/5 naturale, inchidere - Cuebid este bicolor minim 55 pe minore - 4 in cealalta majora, pentru joc - 4NT Blackwood Cu 4NT apel pentru minore S W N E 2NT 4NT ? - Pass cu o mina care este mai utila la penalizare, Sud obligat contreaza - Dble cu monocolor de o majora, mai tare decit 5/5 - 5 Intrebare directa de controale, cu monocolor de majora si forta de slem - 5 Bicolor de majore, invitatie la slem, in functie de fit si calitatea Sudului - 5/5, pentru joc II. Daca Vest intervine S W N E 2NT Pass 3 Dble ? - Rdble arata ambele majore in patru - restul vorbirilor isi pastreaza semnificatia S W N E 2NT Pass 3/3 Dble ? - Rdble, cu acea culoare in cinci, propune joc acolo - face transferul, cu 3+ carti acolo - paseaza, cu 2 carti in culoarea transferata, lasa posibilitatea ca Nord sa contreze punitiv

Cu 3/3 S W 2NT 3/3

Deschiderile de 3/3/3/3/3NT
28

Nu se alerteaza. Exceptie face deschiderea de 3NT Gambling, care se alerteaza in functie de specificatiile fiecarui concurs in parte. ===================================================== Barajele naturale 3/3/3/3/4/4/4 Nord are la dispozitie: - sustinerea la orice nivel, continuarea barajului - culoare noua la nivel de trei, forcing un tur, Sud precizeaza taria acelei culori in trepte: - prima treapta, fara A sau K - a doua, cu A sau K - a treia, cu AK - revine in propria culoare, cu singleton - 3NT, natural - 4/4 dupa orice baraj la nivel de trei, stop - Special Blackwood (4 dupa 2/2/2/3 si 4 dupa 3) - 5 In Majora 3NT Gambling Pentru a deschide 3NT Gambling mina trebuie sa indeplineasca conditiile: - o minora in sapte gardata de AKQ, sau in 8 cu AK - fara nici un A sau K in exterior, chiar singleton Nord liciteaza: - Pass, cu controale in celelalte culori - 4 pentru a juca minora Sudului. Sud: - Pass, cu trefla - 4, cu caroul - 4, interogativa de singleton, Sud raspunde astfel: - 4/4 acolo - 4NT in cealalta minora - 5 doua singletoane, la releul de 5 se precizeaza: - 5 in cealalta minora si o majora - 5NT in ambele majore - 4/4, naturale, inchidere - 4NT in scop de baraj, Sud revine in culoarea sa Nota: Aceste vorbiri isi pastreaza semnificatia si dupa interventia Vestului.

Interventia si Contra de apel

Sud este cel care intervine. ===================================================== I. Contra de apel.

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Contra se da in doua variante: - 11...16 HCP si apel pe celelalte trei culori (distributional)minora poate fi in 5,dar slaba) - cu 17 HCP si peste, orice distributie Raspunsurile Nordului: - Pass cu 5+ carti in culoarea adversarului si valori pozitive in exterior, penalizare - 1NT cu 5...10 HCP, echilibrat, tinere sau minim patru carti in culoarea adversarului - culoare fara salt, 0...8 PS - culoare cu salt, 9...11 PS, culoare in cinci, invitational - salt la mansa de majora, cu 12+ PS, culoare in cinci - 2NT invitational, cu 11..12 HCP si tinere in culoarea de deschidere, echilibrat - 3NT cu peste 13 HCP si tinere buna in culoarea adversarului - cuebid, cu minim 10 HCP, nu este forcing de mansa, alte tipuri de miini Secvente speciale W N E S 1 Dble Rdble 1/1/2/2/2... = poate fi dat si cu zero puncte, este culoare si atit, cu cit este mai inalt palierul la care se liciteaza, cu atit culoarea este mai lunga, scop obstructiv W N E S 1 Dble 2 Dble = Contra Responsiv, se joaca pina la nivelul 3 Contra responsiv actioneaza astfel: - daca adversarii au licitat si sutinut o minora, contra responsiv apeleaza ambele majore - daca adversarii au licitat si sutinut o majora, contra responsiv apeleaza ambele minore Contra responsiv este si dupa ce partenerul intervine cu culoare. W N E S 1 2 2 Dble = aici este cu ambele majore II. Interventia cu culoare sau NT peste licitatia adversarului de 1 la culoare E S 1/1/1/1 ? (Nota: 1 este natural) 1. Interventia simpla cu culoare, arata 8...16 HCPsau 17 urate. Limita superioara se judeca in functie de valoarea miinii. Cu mai mult de 17 HCP se liciteaza Contra. Cu 8-11 po, culoarea tre sa fie decenta.(AQxxx sau KQxxx sau KJ10xx,sau QJ10XXX) he most important factor when deciding whether or not to overcall is the quality of the suit you are thinking of bidding in terms of suit quality) overcalls have proved to be a winning approach to bridge over the long run a) Vest paseaza W N E S 1X 1Y Pass ? - Culoare noua fara salt, usor invitational(9-11),min in cinci - Salt in culoare noua. puternic invitational(12-13), Sud inca poate pasa cu minimal 8...11 HCP si misfit - 1NT cu stop in culoarea Estului si 9...11 HCP - Sustinere simpla Limit bid, cu 6...10 PS.3 atuuri(sau 8 pe axa) - Sustinerea cu salt promite patru atuuri, si este baraj(sau 9 pe axa) - Sustinerea cu dublu salt promite cinci atuuri, baraj(sau 10 pe axa) - cuebidul , 11-13ps, cu fit de trei carti(patru daca mana e balansata). Cue mai poate fi folosit si pentru a arata si alte maini care sunt prea tari pt o licitatie naturala - cuebid cu salt, 10...13 PS, dar cu patru + atuuri si valori distributionale -4 y= 14-17 ps b) Vest contreaza sau sustine simplu W N E S

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1X 1M Dble/2X ? - Dble/Rdble, Contra Suport, cu trei atuuri, cu 8...10 POsau11+ - sustinere simpla, trei atuuri, maxim 6 PS - sustinere cu salt simplu, maxim 9 PS, patru atuuri - sustinere cu salt dublu, maxim 9 PS, 5+ atuuri - culoare noua fara salt (pina la 3) este Negative Free Bid, fara sustinere - 2NT 11-13 PO 2 atuuri - 1NT echilibrat, 7...10 HCP, maxim doua atuuri - 3NT echilibrat, inchidere - cuebid cu 11...12 HCP si echilibrat, fara tinere in culoarea Estului 2. Interventia cu salt la orice nivel este baraj 3. 3NT este pentru joc 4. Interventia cu 1NT este naturala, 15...18 HCP, cu tinere in culoarea adversarului E 1/1 S 1NT W Pass N ? - System On

E 1/1

N ? - 2NT invitational la 3NT - culoare noua la nivelul 2, stop - salt in cealalta majora, invitational - cuebid, bicolor de minore - minora la nivel de trei, stop E S W N 1X 1NT Dble ? (principiul DONT) - Rdble cu monocolor slab, insuficient pentru a licita la tricul 3, Sud trebuie sa spuna 2, iar N paseaza cu trefle sau rectifica in culoarea reala - 2 cu trefla si o alta culoare. Sud paseaza cu trefle sau zice 2 cu toleranta pentru oricare dintre celelalte trei culori, la care Nord paseaza sau licteaza a doua culoare - 2 cu caro si o majora. Sud paseaza sau liciteaza 2, pentru majore, Nord paseaza cu cupa sau rectifica la 2 - 2, ambele majore, Sud alege - 3/3/3/3 cu monocolor de sase, si ceva mai legat decit un monocolor descris prin Rdble, (dar nu forcing, nici macar invitational...) in ideea unui baraj, pentru a micsora posibilitatea flancului de a gasi un eventual fit pe majore 5. Cuebidul fara salt si 2NT este Michaels E S 1 ? - 2 bicolor majore - 2NT bicolor caro si cupa 1 ? - 2 bicolor majore - 2NT bicolor trefla si cupa 1 ? - 2 bicolor pica si o minora neprecizata - 2NT bicolor trefla si caro 1 ? - 2 bicolor cupa si o minora neprecizata - 2NT bicolor trefla si caro Continuari: - culoarea noua este natural, invitational - 2NT (cind este loc, forcing un tur III. Interventia peste licitatia adversarului de 1NT E S

S 1NT

W Pass

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1NT

? - Impotriva 1NT slab se intervine Cappelletti - Impotriva 1NT tare se joaca D.O.N.T. IV. Interventia peste barajul adversarului la tricul 2-3-4 Se tine cont si de "regula lui 7". Contra ramine de apel pina la deschiderea adversarului de 4 . E S Baraj ? - Dble, in functie de palier, promite mai multe puncte si mai multa distributie. Contra este de apel pina la barajul de 4. Peste barajele la nivel de doua tricuri se joaca Lebensohl - culoare noua fara salt, natural, minim 13 HCP (tricul 2), 15 HCP (tricul 3), 17 HCP (tricul 4) - 2NT echilibrat, cu 17...20 HCP. System on, cu 3 Puppet Stayman - 3NT pentru joc. De subliniat doua secvente: E S W N si E S W N 3 3NT Pass 4 3 3NT Pass 4 Licitatia Nordului este cu bicolor 55 pe majore, Sud alege - cuebid cu bicolor puternic E S 2 3 = bicolor majore 2 3 = bicolor pica si o minora 2 3 = bicolor cupa si o minora 3 4 = bicolor major 3 4 = bicolor major - 4NT peste 4/4 apeleaza cu bicolor pe doua culori, iar Dble este apel clasic V. Interventia dupa ce ambii adversari au licitat Nu este cuebid: S W N E S W N E 1 Pass 1 1 Pass 1 2 2 Reprezinta culori, de obicei in sase, 12...16 HCP, interventie naturala Bicolore: S W N E S W N E 1 Pass 2 1 Pass 2 3 3 Ambele licitatii ale Sudului arata bicolor major. Sud poate face aceeasi licitatie si daca a pasat initial. O licitatie de 2NT ar arata bicolor cu culorile mai ieftine ramase. Contra de apel: S W N E S W N E 1 Pass 1 1 Pass 1 Dble Dble Acestea sunt contre de apel, pentru celelalte doua culori ramase S W N E 1 Pass 2 Dble Contra de apel pentru celelalte trei culori Dupa raspunsul de 1NT al Estului: S W N E 1m Pass 1NT ? - se joaca Cappelletti S Dble W 1 N Pass E 2

Deschiderile in pozitia 3 si 4
Reguli si consideratii tactice. Barajul la nivel de doi, in pozitia a patra: culoare in sase, 10...13 HCP. La vulnerabilitate favorabila si la distributie adecvata, in pozitia a treia barajele pot fi agresive.

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Pentru deschiderea in pozitia a patra se va tine cont si de regula lui 15. Dupa deschiderile in pozitia 3 sau 4 nu se mai joaca Weak Jump Shift. ===================================================== ===================================================== Deschiderea de 1NT si continuarile 1NT in pozitia 3 si 4 este cu 12...14 HCP, in orice situatie mai putin Vul contra NeVul, cind e cu 15...17. S 1NT W Pass N Pass ? E Pass

1. Fara interventia adversarului. Nord are la dispozitie: - 2 Stayman - 2/2 transfer - 2 transfer pe 3, la care Nord paseaza sau liciteaza 3 - 2NT bicolor 55 pe minore - 3/3/3/3 stopuri, baraje - 3NT inchidere 2. Daca West intervine: a) cu Dble. Acum Nord liciteaza: - cu pina in 10 HCP, si echilibrat, paseaza - cu 1113 HCP, si relativ echilibrat, paseaza si: - contreaza de penalizare ulterior (daca flancul nu ramine in 1NT contrat) - licita 2NT invitational la mansa - licita 3NT, cu maximal - 3/3 cu monocolor de sase carti, 69 HCP, scop de baraj - 2NT, bicolor de minore, deschidentul alege - Rdble, cu un monocolor de sase carti minim si slab, sub 6 HCP, Sud trebuie sa liciteze (daca Est zice Pass) 2, si Nord paseaza cu trefla sau liciteaza culoarea reala - 2 cu trefla si o alta culoare. Sud paseaza su zice 2, iar Nord paseaza sau licteaza a doua culoare - 2 cu caro si o majora. Sud paseaza sau liciteaza 2, pentru majore, Nord paseaza cu cupa sau rectifica la 2 - 2, ambele majore, Sud alege - 3NT inchidere b) cu 2. Nord: - Dble este Stayman. Tot aici se intra si cu invitational la 3NT, dupa orice anunt al Sudului, Nord invita cu 2NT - 2/2 este transfer - 2 transfer la 3, Nord paseaza cu trefla sau rectifica la 3 - 2NT cu bicolor 55 pe minore - 3NT inchidere c) cu 2/2/2, se joaca Lebensohl d) cu 2NT si peste, se continua natural, in principiu Contra este penalizare, culoarea noua invitational, mansa este stop Deschiderile de majore si continuarile S W N E

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1M

Pass

Pass ?

Pass

1. Fara interventia adversarului. Nord are la dispozitie: - 1NT semiforcing - 2NT, cu 9...11 PS, patru atuuri, garanteaza o scurtime. Sud cere scurtimea, cu 3 : - 3 in trefla - 3 in caro - 3 in cealalta majora - 2M, minim trei atuuri, 6...9 PS - 3M cu 6...9 PS, cu patru atuuri, distributional - 3 cu 1011 HCP si sase trefle, nu are mai mult de doua atuuri, constructiv - 2 Lawrence Drury, cu maximal si minim trei atuuri. Sud liciteaza: - 2 cu deschidere reala, interes de mansa (nu de slem). Acum, Nord: - 2, cea mai slaba licitatie a sa, cu 3 atuuri (sau 4 si 4333) - 2 cu 1112 HCP si trei atuuri, invitational - 2NT, 12...13 PS, forcing de mansa, patru atuuri, daca se liciteaza 3NT pe parcurs este "la asteptare", nu stop - 3 maximal, sustinere de trei atuuri in aditie cu un singleton. Daca Sud este interesat, da releul de 3 si Nord: - 3 in trefla - 3 in caro - 3NT in cealalta majora - 4M, inchidere - 2 cu deschidere 812 HCP - 2NT interes de slem, cu o sicana neprecizata. Nord cere cu 3: - 3, sicana in trefla - 3, sicana in caro - 3, sicana in cealalta majora - culoare noua la nivel de trei, invitatie la slem, culoare naturala, 4+ - 3M, interogativa de calitatea atuului, Nord raspunde: - prima treapta, fara onor mare - a doua treapta, Q - a treia, A sau K - a patra, cu AQ sau KQ - a cincea, cu AK 2. Daca West intervine a) cu Contra. Raspunsurile Nordului ramin neschimbate, cu exceptia - sustine la mansa, cu cinci atuuri, maxim 9 PS - Rdble, care este cu 1012 HCP, echilibrat, doua atuuri b) cu culoare la nivel de 1 sau 2. Nord liciteaza: - sustinerea simpla cu trei atuuri, 6...9 PS, poate fi si mai slab in NeV - sustinerea cu salt este 6...9 PS, patru atuuri, in NeV poate fi si mai slab - saltul la mansa este baraj, cu minim cinci atuuri, distributional - cuebidul este forcing de mansa, tarie, garanteaza patru atuuri - 2NT Jordan - Dble, apel, cu doua atuuri, echilibrat, 10 HCP, fara tineri - culoarea noua fara salt, pina la 3 inclusiv, este Negative Free Bid c) la nivel de doi, cu bicolor, Nord se apara ca dupa secventa similara din pozitia 1 d) cu culoare naturala la nivel de doi sau mai sus, se joaca: - Dble este apel pina la nivelul 2, de la nivelul trei in sus e penalizare - NT e natural - cuebidul este forta, patru atuuri, forcing de mansa - mansa de majora este slab, cu patru atuuri si distributional - sustinerile sunt limitbiduri

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Deschiderile de minore si continuarile S 1m W Pass N Pass ? E Pass

Se continua la fel (indiferent de atitudinea flancului) ca la o deschidere in pozitia 1 sau 2, cu exceptiile: - sustinerile devin limitbiduri 2m=7-10 - saltul simplu in culoare noua este natural, 5+, valori invitationale, 10...11 HCP - saltul dublu devine Splinter Deschiderile de baraje Barajele pe majora in pozitia a treia se pot face agresiv, cu cinci carti, daca sunt respectate conditiile: - culoarea nu mai slaba de QJ109x - singleton pe cealalta majora - punctele din exterior ori nu sunt deloc, ori sunt utile - vulnerabilitatea este favorabila La fel si barajele la nivel de trei, se pot da cu culoare in sase, respectindu-se aceleasi principii.

Redeschiderea
===================================================== I. West deschide culoare la nivel de 1

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a) Est paseaza S W N E 1X Pass Pass ? - culoare fara salt, cu 8...13 HCP, culoarea poate fi si in patru. Nord: - sustinerea (fara interventia adversarilor) cu 8...12 PS - sustinerea (dupa interventia flancului) este mai slaba decit fara interventie - sustinerea cu salt, cu 11...13 PS, patru atuuri - 1NT cu 8..11 HCP, echilibrat - 2NT cu 12...13 HCP, echilibrat - culoare noua, cu 5+, cu invitational. Daca Sud a redeschis cu o majora, aceasta licitatie a Nordului neaga fitul pe acea majora - cuebidul este in functie de deschiderea Westului: - peste 1/1 este culoare naturala - peste 1/1 este cu echilibrat, fara fit de trei carti pentru partener, cu 12...13 HCP, fara tinere in culoarea adversarului - 1NT, cu 12...14 HCP, echilibrat, peste majora vorbita de W are un control. Nord: - 2NT cu invitational (puncte in functie de vulnerabilitate, in acord cu ecartul redeschiderii) - 3NT, inchidere - peste deschiderea Westului de 1/1, licitatia Nordului este ca si cum Sud ar fi deschis (2 Stayman, 2/2 transferuri, etc, adica System On) - peste deschiderea Westului de majora, Nord: - 2NT invitational la 3NT - culoare noua la nivelul 2, stop - salt in cealalta majora, invitational - cuebid, bicolor de minore - minora la nivel de trei, stop - culoare noua cu salt, 13...16 HCP si culoare in 6, este invitational (nonforcing) - Dble, ori cu 10... si toleranta pe celelalte culori, ori cu 14... si alte distributii care nu pot fi expuse prin vorbirile culoare fara salt sau 1NT. Dupa ce Nord liciteaza, daca Sud zice NT se descrie cu echilibrat si 15...18 HCP, iar daca liciteaza culoare noua are 14... si culoarea in cinci, forcing un tur. In principiu se raspunde ca dupa Contra in pozitia a doua - 2NT cu echilibrat, 19...21 HCP - 3NT inchidere b) Est nu paseaza S W N E 1X Pass 1Y sau 2X ? - culoare fara salt, nonforcing, 5+ carti, 8....17 pentru tricul 1 si 12...17 pentru tricul 2 - 1NT=18+,balansat - Dble: - de apel, pentru celelate doua (daca Est liciteaza culoare noua) sau trei culori (daca Est sutine culoarea Westului) si - cu culoare proprie, de la 18 HCP in sus - culoare cu salt, baraj - 2NT bicolor 55 pe celelalte doua culori, 6...9 HCP - 3NT inchidere II. West deschide 1NT Secventa

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W 1NT

N Pass

E Pass

? - culoarea vorbita este DONT - Dble propune penalizare, si este in functie de vulnerabilitate: - daca EW sunt Vul si NS sunt NeVul, arata 10...12 HCP - daca EW sunt NeVul arata 14... HCP - daca NS sunt Vul, atunci Dble arata 17... HCP Nord are posibilitatea sa paseze in penalizare, daca considera astfel, altminteri liciteaza - 2 cu orice monocolor, Sud obligatoriu licita 2, si Nord paseaza cu caro sau rectifica in culoarea reala - 2 cu caro si alta culoare. Sud: - Pass, cu fit de caro - 2 cu maxim 2 carale, si Nord paseaza cu cupa a doua culoare sau liciteaza a doua culoare 2/3 - 2 cu ambele majore. Sud paseaza sau rectifica in pica III. Secvente delicate Redeschidere cu Contra de Apel intirziata: S W N E 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass Dble = Contra de apel pentru celelalte trei culori, excluzind cupa, garanteaza patru pici Redeschidere cu bicolor: S W N E 1 Pass 2 Pass Pass ? - 2NT = bicolor minor - Dble, apel, mai slab decit daca ar fi dat contra la primul tur S Pass W 1m Pass N E Pass 2m ? - cuebid, 3m, cu bicolor de majore - 2NT = bicolor cu cupa si cealalta minora (culorile mai ieftine ramase) - Dble, apel, mai slab decit daca ar fi dat contra la primul tur

S W N E Pass 1m Pass 2m ? - 3m, cu bicolor major - 2NT cu bicolor pe cealalta minora si cupa (culorile mai ieftine) Contra de penalizare si directional de atac: S W N E 1m Pass 1M Pass 1NT Pass Pass ? - Dble = penalizare si cere atacul majorei licitate de Est - culoare noua, natural

Negative Freebids
Part 1 -- Responder's First Bid Called "a modern solution to a common bidding problem" by the Encyclopedia of Bridge, the Negative Freebid has become a popular addition to many partnerships' systems. Whether you and your partner decide to use this bid or not, it's likely you'll be playing pairs who do, so it's a good idea to arm yourself with some information. The Negative Freebid is not really a convention (all of responder's and opener's bids are natural) but is best classified as a bidding treatment or agreement. When using Negative Freebids, you and partner agree to lower the point

37

requirements for some of responder's freebids in competitive auctions. This increases responder's ability to show a long suit after an opponent overcalls and improves your chances of finding a fit. The "problem" with standard freebids Consider this typical situation. Partner opens 1, your RHO overcalls 1, and you hold: 53 KJ8743 82 K82 or 643 842 Q7 KQJ103 With standard methods, a new-suit bid at the two-level would promise at least 11 points (perhaps a good 10). Neither of these hands is strong enough to bid your suit freely, so what do you do? With Hand #1, the usual solution is to make a negative double. Since partner will seldom be kind enough to bid hearts, you plan on bidding 2 over his expected rebid of 1NT, 2 or 2. But what if LHO raises his partner's spade suit? When the auction is passed back to you, you'll have another dilemma-pass and lose a possible partscore, or risk a 3 bid, which could be a disaster if partner doesn't have a suitable trump holding. With Hand #2, the negative double isn't even an option. You're more or less "stuck" with passing and hoping you can show your hand later. If LHO raises his partner's spade overcall, you may be shut out forever. Even if LHO passes and partner reopens with a double, you have no good way to describe this hand. A jump to 3 would show some values, but virtually promises a 6-card suit. And 2 is somewhat of an underbid, since you have a considerably better suit and hand than partner might expect. The Negative-Freebid Solution The Negative Freebid (NFB) allows you to make your natural response with hands like those above, but without promising game-invitational values or catapulting the auction too high. A NFB is used when an opponent overcalls your side's opening bid and responder has a long suit that cannot be shown at the one-level. In the examples above, you would make a NFB of 2 with Hand #1 and 2 with Hand #2. Responder's Use of the Negative Freebid Responder's NFB is always a non-jump, new-suit bid between 2 and 3. It is an alertable bid that shows: A good suit-a 6+-card suit or a strong 5-carder. 5-11 points. If partner opened 1H or 1S, no 3-card or longer support for partner's suit. Some pairs prefer to play NFBs through 3, but this can create some very awkward auctions when responder holds a strong hand. More often, you'll want to use the 3 and 3 bids to show forcing hands. Remember: These freebids are called "negative" because they're non-forcing. They are, however, intended as constructive; they show good suits and good playing values. Responder's new-suit bid is NOT a NFB if the bid is made: At a level of 3 or higher. If partner opens 1 and your RHO overcalls 3, no Negative Freebid is available; your new-suit bid of 3 or 4 is forcing. At the one-level. Responder's new-suit bid at the one-level carries the standard meaning. After 1 by partner, 1 by RHO, a freebid of 1 is unlimited, showing 6+ points and a 5+-card suit (since you would make a negative double if you held only 4 spades). Much of your success with this system depends on your hand evaluation skills. Remember that a Negative Freebid tends to tell partner you have a one-suited hand without features that would be more valuable in other contracts. Your choice of whether or not to use the NFB, then, depends not just on your high-card values and suit quality, but on your outside holdings. The vulnerability and the form of scoring may also affect your decision (you'll usually want to be more conservative at IMPs).

Try your judgment with the following hands: Partner RHO 1 1 1) 8654 Q108643 A7 3 You ?

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Bid 2. You have minimum high-card values, but your length in spades (and partner's presumed shortness) makes it more likely that dummy will have fair support. Your 2 bid may also have some preemptive value because it prevents LHO from bidding a "cheap" 2 . 2) J74 K9632 1054 A7 Double. This hand isn't a good choice for a NFB at any vulnerability or form of scoring. Your suit is weak and your hand would be a good dummy for contracts of 1NT or 2, so keep all options open with a negative double. If partner rebids 2, take a preference to 2. 3) 9 AKJ97 108732 64 Bid 2. A NFB is often the only bid you'll make in the auction, but you're free to bid again with hands that have extra playing strength. If the opponents bid over your NFB, you can compete by rebidding your suit (if you have a strong 6-carder and can do so at the 3-level) or by supporting partner's minor, which you would want to do with this hand. If partner doesn't raise your hearts, your hand is strong enough to compete up to 4 . Partner RHO You 1 2 ? 4) 43 J54 AQJ985 72 Bid 2. Even though you have a strong suit, resist the temptation to bid 2 , which would deny 3-card heart support. Raising partner's major is more important than showing a new suit, especially if you have a minimum. If LHO competes and it's right for your side to bid on to 3 (or 4), partner won't be able to make an intelligent decision unless you show your support right away. 5) J92 42 KJ1097 AQ6 Bid 2NT. Your suit is good enough for a NFB of 2 , but your hand's most valuable feature may well be the double club stopper. The 2NT bid gives partner a better description of both your high-card strength and your hand's suitability for the most likely game of 3NT. Part 2 -- Other System Changes Negative Freebids (NFB's) are growing in popularity because they allow responder to make more natural, non-forcing bids, which improves your chances of finding a fit. Adding this to your system is simple enough-all you have to remember is that in competitive auctions, responder's new-suit bids between 2 and 3 are not forcing. They show 5-11 points and a long suit (6+-cards, or a very strong 5-carder). Obviously, this agreement affects the way you'll bid your stronger hands, so you also need to adjust the meanings of some other bids. The two main changes involve negative doubles and responder's jump shifts in competition. Negative Double Auctions Since responder's freebids through 3 are not forcing, you need a way to show a long suit and forcing-to-game values. To do this, responder must use the negative double to start the description of all strong hands with long suits. After opener's response to the negative double, any new-suit bid by responder then shows a 5+-card suit and is forcing to game. Adding Negative Freebids to your system does not change the way you bid your "normal" negative double hands. As responder, you still use the negative double to describe hands of limited high-card strength. The meaning of your negative double is changed only if you rebid a new suit later. After 1 by partner, 1 by RHO, you would make a negative double with each of these hands: 1 - AJ9 K1074 53 AJ86 2- 4 AQ K102 AKJ10974 3 - AQ Q10832 A83 Q93 4- 2 AKJ1097 K932 87 For the time being, opener will assume your negative double is standard and he'll make his "normal" response. You'll then clarify your hand type with your second bid. With Hand #1, you have a "normal" negative double and you'll bid this hand as if you were playing Standard. If partner shows a minimum (with a rebid of 1NT, 2 , 2 or 2), you'll bid 3NT. This auction guarantees 4 hearts, so if partner has 4-card support, he'll usually correct to 4. With Hand #2, you plan to rebid a minimum number of clubs over partner's response. You won't need to cuebid-the negative double followed by your new-suit bid shows a forcing hand. Depending on partner's rebid after you show your clubs, you can now cuebid to show extra strength and try for slam. 6 , 6 or even 6NT are likely contracts.

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With Hand #3, you'll bid 2 if partner rebids 1NT, 2 or 2. Your new-suit bid doesn't promise any minimum suit quality-it merely shows that you have a forcing-to-game hand with 5 or more hearts. If partner doesn't raise hearts, you'll settle for 3NT. With Hand #4, you'll also bid 2 after your negative double, but here you plan to insist on a heart game. Note that even though this hand's point-count falls into the 5-11 HCP range for a NFB, it has the playing strength of an opening bid. A diamond or heart slam is a strong possibility, so show your strength by starting with the negative double. Don't risk partner passing a NFB of 2 (or even a jump to 3, which is described below). Responder's Jump-Shift in Competition So far, we've covered the ways responder can show a long suit with a relatively weak hand and with a forcing hand. With the Negative Freebid system, you can also show a third hand type-one that's at the top of the NFB point-range and has a very strong suit. To show this highly invitational hand, responder jump-shifts after an opponent overcalls. The jump in a new suit shows: A strong 6+-card suit. Game-invitational values (10-11 playing pts.) After partner opens 1 and RHO overcalls 1, you would jump to 3 with J3 KQJ986 92 KJ8 or 94 AQ85432 K62 8. A 3 bid would describe a hand like 43 Q85 Q6 AQJ1073. Opener is now well placed to evaluate chances for game. Since he knows you don't have great high-card strength outside your suit, he can pass with a "soft" 13 or 14 points. With good quick tricks and/or a fit, he can bid game, even with a bare minimum opener. Responder's Cuebids The negative double starts the description of strong hands that have length in an unbid suit. If you just want to show strength with support for partner's suit, there's no need to start with a negative double -- use a direct cuebid instead. If partner opens a major and an opponent overcalls, you can cuebid with virtually any distribution that includes support for opener's suit. If partner opens a minor and an opponent overcalls, your cuebid denies 4+-card length in an unbid major. If you have a major suit, use the negative double first to check for a 4-4 fit. You can then cuebid to show support for partner's suit later. Depending on your preferences, responder's immediate cuebid need not be forcing to game. The modern, and most effective, treatment is to use the direct cuebid to show limit-raise values or better. Your jump-raise in competition (1 by partner - 1 by RHO - 3 by you), then, is preemptive. After responder's cuebid, opener must show his strength with his rebid. Opener retreats to 3 of his suit to show a hand that wouldn't have accepted a limit raise; he makes any other bid to show a game acceptance. So what does the opening bidder do with all this information? In the final article in this series, we'll discuss the meanings of opener's rebids and ways he can evaluate his hand. Part 3 -- Opener's Rebids Many players like Negative Freebids like because they make it easier for responder to show his long suit in competitive auctions. This helps you find trump fits that might otherwise be "lost" with standard methods, but it also requires you to use careful judgment later in the auction. If you and your partner decide to use Negative Freebids (NFB's), you agree that in competitive auctions, responder's new-suit bids between 2 and 3 are not forcing. These alertable bids show long suits (6+-cards, or strong 5-carders) and limited high-card values (5-11 pts.). After you open and partner makes a NFB, you may have enough information to place the final contract. If not, you'll need to choose a rebid that describes your strength and fit for partner's suit. If your RHO passes your partner's NFB, the meanings of your rebids are: Pass -- a minimum with no interest in higher contracts. Passing does not promise a fit, so if you have a minimum with poor support, don't "run" to 2NT. Rebid of your first suit (1-1-2-Pass-3) -- not forcing, showing a minimum with a long, strong suit and no fit for partner's suit. 2NT (1-1-2-Pass-2NT) -- Invitational high-card strength (16-18 pts.) with stoppers in the opponent's suit. This usually denies a good fit for partner's suit. A free raise of partner's suit (1-1-2-Pass-3) -- game invitational, showing a fitting hand worth about 15-18 playing points. Since partner has promised a strong suit, a fit may be a good doubleton or better. Jump to game in partner's suit (1-1-2-Pass-4) -- a minimum opener with a big fit and extra playing strength. If your hand has great high-card strength, start with a cuebid if the auction gives you room. Cuebid (1-2-2-Pass-3) -- forcing-to-game strength. The cuebid usually suggests a fit, but also starts the description of other big hands (opener denies the fit if he rebids notrump or his own suit later). You can use the cuebid to ask for a stopper, start a slam-try sequence or just clarify that you have extra high-card

40

strength and defensive values. This information may be critical in helping your partner make a decision if the opponents sacrifice. Jump cuebid (1-1-2- Pass-3) -- a splinter, showing a singleton, great trump support (4+ cards) and slam-try values. If your RHO competes (by raising his partner's suit or bidding the fourth suit), it's helpful to adjust your definitions for a few of opener's rebids: Competitive raise of partner's suit (1-1-2-2-3 ) -- a minimum with a fit for partner's suit. A raise in competition is not invitational to game. Double (1-1-2-. 2-DBL) -- You may choose to treat a double as penalty, but many partnerships prefer to use it as "positive", showing extra values but with no clear-cut action. It tends to describe a hand with defensive strength, but without length in partner's suit.

Over Responder's Negative Double If partner makes a negative double instead of a Negative Freebid, be sure you alert the opponents to its two-way nature with a "Special Alert". If the opponents ask, tell them that partner could have either a normal negative-double hand or a forcing hand with one long suit. In selecting your rebid, you should assume for the time being that partner's negative double is "standard" and make your natural rebid at the normal level. Keep in mind, though, that partner may not have the 4-card major he's temporarily showing, so use some caution. If you have a strong hand with 4-card support for partner's supposed major, try not to blast off to 4 or 4-instead, start with a low-level cuebid to let partner clarify his hand type. You'll also want to think long and hard about converting partner's negative double for penalties. Remember that partner could have a monster one-suiter, so be careful about passing his double unless your hand and the vulnerability screams that it's right. Over Responder's Jump Shift Responder's jump-shift in competition (1-1-3) is invitational, showing a strong 6+-card suit and a hand worth about 10-11 pts. Partner will often have a "cover card" for you outside his suit, but in general, his jump will be based on playing strength, not on high-card values. As opener, you have to evaluate your chances for game based on that picture of partner's hand. Your point-count isn't important; quick tricks, a trump fit and ruffing values are. Try rebidding these hands as opener after partner's NFB: You LHO Partner RHO 1 1 2 Pass ? 1) KJ7 8 AJ9743 A104 Pass. Partner's hearts rate to be at least as strong as your diamonds, so don't "save" him by running to 3 or 2NT. 2) 7 K8 AK1054 AQ974 3. You have enough to invite game and, although your heart support isn't robust, your hand is suitable for 4. If partner has only a 5-card heart suit, it will be a strong one, so invite with a free raise. Note that a 3 bid here would not be forcing-it denies a heart fit and asks partner to choose between your two suits. 3) 4 Q982 AQ1084 A76 4. This shows a minimum opener with an excellent fit and good expectations of making game, even opposite a minimum NFB. Partner should never assume you have the values for slam-if you did, you would have shown your strength by cuebidding 2 first (or jumping to 3 to show the singleton). You LHO Partner RHO 1 1 2 2 ? 4) 103 KQJ74 AQ5 976 3. If your RHO bids, your raise of partner's suit is not invitational, so feel free to compete with any hand that has a fit, even a dead minimum. It's important to show your support and take the pressure off partner. 5) J86 AKJ52 AQJ 73 Double. You have weak club support and your hand isn't strong enough to insist on game with a cuebid, so use the "positive" double. This shows a good hand with defensive strength, but doubt about what the final contract should be. Depending on the vulnerability and his own playing strength, partner may pass, bid notrump or rebid his clubs.

LEBENSOHL OVER 1NT CONVENTION

The concept behind Lebensohl was the result of the following difficulty in bidding after an intervening overcall after your partner has opened the auction with 1 No Trump. The examples should clarify this point.

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North East South 1 NT 2 ? North East South 1 NT 2 ?

South have:84 653 8 QJ107654, what will be 3? A sign-off? Forcing? South:KQ 87 AQJ987 K108 What will be 3?

After realizing the difficulties in responding, the questions become whether or not the first response is a: 1. forcing response 2. non-forcing response 3. natural response 4. artificial response 5. invitational response Explanation: The foundation and cornerstone of the Lebensohl convention is that, after a natural overcall by an opponent after a 1 No Trump opening, a response of 2 No Trump forces the opener to rebid 3 Clubs in order that the responder has the possibility of clarifying his hand. Following is an outline of the responses available to the responder after a natural overcall in a suit. Remember that the following responses are Lebensohl after an immediate Natural Overcall, not an immediate Artificial Overcall. North East South 1 NT 2/// Double is for Penalty 2 2// is to Play 2 / 2/ is to Play 2// 2 is to Play 2 3// is forcing to Game 2 / 3/ is forcing to Game 2// 3 is forcing to Game 2/// 2NT forces partner to rebid 3 The Responder's rebids after 3 Clubs by his partner: 1. Pass with a weak hand and long Clubs. 2. Any bid suit below the rank of the overcall is a sign-off. 3. Any bid suit above the rank of the overcall is invitational. Any immediate cuebid of the suit of the opponent is Stayman and promises a good 9 HCPs count. Any immediate cuebid promises a 4-card Major suit, but it is important to remember that the cuebid also denies having a stopper in the suit bid by the opponent. This cuebid by the responder is forcing to game unless the partnership can not find a Major fit. North 1 NT East 2 2 2 2 South 3 3 3 3

Stayman Stayman Stayman, showing a 4-card Spade suit Stayman, showing a 4-card Heart suit ALL DIRECT CUEBIDS DENY A STOPPER.

The options for the No Trump bidder, after a cuebid by his partner, are: 1. to bid a 4-card Major, if he has a 4-card Major. 2. to bid 3 No Trump with a stopper in the suit of the opponent. 3. to seek a better contract, if neither condition is fulfilled. 3.1. With a minimum No Trump, bid 4 Clubs or 4 Diamonds. 3.2. If the 4-card Major suit of the responder is known, then the No Trump bidder can consider playing in a 4-3 Major fit. 3.3. Holding a maximum No Trump and no wasted strength in the suit bid by the opponent, a jump to five of long Minor suit is advisable. 3.4. Cuebidding the suit of the opponent at the Four Level is requesting the partner to choose his better Minor suit at the Five Level. North East South DIRECT BID DENIES 1 NT 2 /// 3 NT denies having a stopper in the suit bid by the opponent Any 3 No Trump response after any intervening overcall promises sufficient values and no 4-card Major suit, but it also denies having a stopper in the suit bid by the opponent. The No Trump bidder has then several options:

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1. Pass with a stopper in the suit of the opponent. 2. Bids a 5-card Major suit, if he has one. 3. Explores for a better contract, generally in the Minor suits. North East South West 1 NT 2 // 2 NT Pass 3 Pass 3 // Cuebidding = Stayman and shows a stop If the responder bids 2 No Trump after an overcall, forcing his partner to rebid 3 Clubs, and then cuebids the suit of the opponent, then this cuebid is a Stayman bid, asking for a 4-card Major suit. The difference in this bidding sequence is the fact that the responder is showing a stopper in the suit of the opponent. Assuming the following bidding sequence: North East South West 1 NT 2 2 NT Pass 3 Pass 4 Cuebidding = Stayman, shows a stopper. demonstrates that this cuebid by the responder on the Four Level is also Stayman, bypassing the possibility of a 3 No Trump contract, and whether such a bidding sequence is advisable, is a matter of partnership agreement. The opener bids 3 No Trump without a 4-card Major suit, and otherwise bids his 4-card Major suit. North East South West 1 NT 2 /// 2 NT Pass 3 Pass 3 NT Shows a stopper. The bidding sequence by the responder above shows a stopper in the suit bid by the opponent and requests that partner should pass the final contract of 3 No Trump. Using the Lebensohl convention, it is apparent that the partnership only loses the natural 2 No Trump bid. Most partnerships play that if there is no intervening overcall, then the bid of 2 No Trump retains its original meaning. The advantages are that each response can be recognized and determined as to whether they are: 1. Forcing. 2. Invitational. 3. Non-forcing. 4. Game-forcing. In the case that the overcall is on the Three Level, the responder has several options, but only if the distribution is correct and the values are present. North East South 1 NT 3 3 // one-round forcing 3 3 / one-round forcing 3 3 one-round forcing 3 /// Double = Negative Double, not Penalty Double 3 /// 5 / Game sign-off 3 /// 4 / Game sign-off 3 /// 3 NT Game sign-off 3 / 4 / Stayman or Slam interest, and may have a 4-card Major suit If the overcall on the Three Level is doubled by the responder, the opener must bid provided the better option is to convert the takeout double for penalties, which is possible when holding a maximum No Trump. If the responder bids 3 No Trump after a Three Level overcall, then this response can either show or deny a stopper in the suit bid by the opponent. This is a matter of partnership agreement. Several partnerships bid 3 No Trump, which shows a stopper, and use the Negative Double to deny a stopper

Transfer Jump Cuebid

Mr. Marty Bergen developed this convention/method to cover a certain situation which arises after an intervening overcall on the One Level, which is an important element to consider before implementing the jump cuebid as a transfer to 3 No Trump. The concept behind the convention/method is that the overcalling opponent will find himself on lead, leaving him at a distinguished disadvantage.

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There are several necessary requirements for the partner of the opener to jump cuebid the suit of the opponent. He holds sufficient values for game which allows him to first jump cuebid and second to execute the transfer to 3 No Trump. The values needed also include at least one stopper in the suit of the opponent, and the jump cuebid itself promises a balanced to semi-balanced holding. The cuebid also denies sufficient support in the second unbid major suit. In the bidding sequence below, these points are illustrated. South 1 3NT West 1 North 3 East pass

North is required to have game-going values, a balanced distribution, no 5-card Spade suit, and a stopper in the Heart suit. Since the partner of West has shown out, West finds himself on lead and he must therefore lead up to the hand of South, who has a certain undefined, but assumed strength. The holding of North could possibly be something similar to the following, which fulfills all of the necessary requirements. K8 A43 Q107 K9864 - no biddable Spade suit stopper in the opponent's suit - insufficient support in partner's suit - sufficient values for game

It is also necessary to remember the concept, the requirements, and the partnership understanding in order not to confuse the bidding sequence with other systemic jump cuebids. For example, in the following auction, the jump cuebid is not a transfer to 3 No Trump. South 1 3 West 1 North 1 East pass

South is not cuebidding the suit of the overcaller as a transfer bid to North to bid 3 No Trump. If that were the case, then East would be on lead and not West, which is the intention of the concept. The jump cuebid of 3 Hearts by South should be viewed as a Splinter Raise promising a void or at most a singleton in the suit of the opponent, game going values, and sufficient support in Spades, the suit of his partner. It is important that the partnership recognize the difference in the two examples above. The same difference holds true in the situation where, for example, South has opened the bidding with a Minor suit, West passes, North bids Hearts, and East decides to compete by bidding Spades, all on the One Level. A jump cuebid of 3 Spades then by South is not a transfer cuebid to North to bid 3 No Trump. This can not be the case because the overcall followed the response to an opening. The overcall was not an immediate or direct overcall after the opening of the auction. As in many bidding sequences, it is not always the actual bid which paints the complete picture, but rather the consideration of the bid which has not been made. This, in essence, is the Bergen Jump Cuebid convention/method, which requires the opener to bid 3 No Trump. It is a manner of treating the overcall with effectiveness, and requiring the overcaller to lead to the declarer, thus putting the overcaller at a distinct disadvantage. If you decide to make this part of your partnership agreement, then we urge you to make this knowledge known to your opponents.

Two-Way Stayman after a 1NT Rebid

by Mike Lawrence The discussion on Two-Way Stayman after a one notrump rebid is based on information found in Mike's Newsletter, a publication which endured for one hundred issues before succumbing to Xerox copiers. The material following has been expanded for e-bridge. There are many schemes for continuing the auction after your partner rebids one notrump. New Minor Forcing comes to mind, among others. There is a new convention that is making the rounds which is worth looking at. I have been using it in all of my recent partnerships, which fact vouches for its popularity.

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Few players are willing to switch conventions without reason. The name of this new convention is Two-Way Stayman After a One Notrump Rebid. It is based on a much older convention called Two-Way Stayman which originally was used when your partner OPENED one notrump. Part 1 A. Responder's first rebid after the one notrump rebid Consider the following six auctions which are all the auctions West 1 1NT West 1 1NT East 1 ? East 1 ? West 1 1NT West 1 1NT East 1 ? East 1 ? West 1 1NT West 1 1NT East 1 ? East 1 ?

On any auction where opener rebids one notrump in an uncontested auction, the following applies: 2 Starts invitational auctions and one signoff auction. It does not matter which suit West opened. Opener always bids two diamonds, which allows responder to show what kind of invitational hand he has. 2 Game-forcing. Again, it does not matter what suit West opened. The auction must reach game. Opener shows his hand in response to two diamonds. If he has four cards in an unbid major, he shows it. If he has three-card support for partner's major, he shows it. Otherwise, opener makes a descriptive rebid. 2 This bid depends on the auction. 2 This bid depends on the auction. 2NT An invitational notrump raise. 3 This one is special. All jumps to three clubs are weak after partner rebids one notrump. Opener MUST pass. 3 There are quite a few ways that a three diamond bid can occur. They are all forcing to game: a. You can raise your partner's diamond suit. East West East AJ874 1 1 K3 1NT 3 KJ742 5 If partner opened one diamond, the jump raise is forcing. You tend to have five-five for this auction. If you have lesser shape, you can start with two diamonds, game-forcing, and then follow with three diamonds. The principle is that when you have two ways to get to (in this case, three diamonds) the fast route shows extra distribution. b. You can rebid your own diamond suit. West East If you responded one diamond are rebidding diamonds, it is a game 1 1 forcing bid showing a good six card suit and slam interest. Since 1NT 3 you could also force in diamonds by bidding two diamonds and then three diamonds, the immediate jump shows extra playing strength. c. You may be jumping in a new suit. West East AQ1073 1 1 7 1NT 3 KQ1063 K8 If you originally bid a higher ranking suit, three diamonds is a strong jump shift showing two good five-card suits. If you do not have two good five-card suits or if you have lesser shape, bid two diamonds first and then show your diamonds. Much the same rules apply as in the preceding discussion. Whichever route to three hearts is used, it is game-forcing. If you are rebidding hearts, you are showing a six-card suit and a game-forcing hand. As you could have bid two diamonds and then bid three hearts, the immediate jump to three hearts shows more shape. If you responded one spade and are jumpshifting to three hearts, you are showing a game-forcing hand with five-five shape and good quality suits. If your original response was one diamond and you are jumping in a higher-ranking suit, the jump

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shows a slam try in diamonds and promises a singleton in the suit you just jumped in. In this case, you show a good hand with excellent diamonds and a singleton heart. This is always game-forcing, no matter which meaning applies.

Assuming you are rebidding your suit, you are showing a six card suit and game-forcing points. If your original response was one diamond or one heart and you are jumping in a higher ranking suit, spades, the just shows a slam try in your first suit and promises a singleton in spades. This jump is called a 'self splinter' meaning you are splintering in support of your own suit. This is a very rare situation and frankly, I can't think of another similar situation where 'self splinters exist': RULE: There are lots of meanings for 3 , 3 , and 3 according to how the bidding has 2 gone. All of them are game-forcing. Q106 AKJ8763 K10 Part 2 Normal Weak Rebids After Opener's 1NT Rebid West East This is a normal weak rebid. As you will see, responder has ways to show 1 1 an invitational hand with five spades. There is no ambiguity about East's 1NT 2 two spade bid here. Opener should pass. Any amount of thinking by opener is tantamount to overbidding. When your partner bids and rebids his suit, he has a weak hand and you should pass. Period! East's hand can range from as little as five points up toperhaps a ten count. Opener should remember that responder will use the two club sequence with any invitational hand. Possible hands for East to have: There is no hand that opener can have that will make four spades opposite this hand. If you held this J97632 hand and rebid two spades, would you empathize with your partner if he started thinking? 3 Q984 This is the maximum that your partner can have for his two spade bid. With anything more, he would Q7 bid two clubs first. Opener, remember, has twelve to fourteen high card points. This hand has ten but KQ9742 they are poor quality. Except for the sixth spade, this hand has little to recommend it. 87 RULE FOR OPENER QJ4 Q8 When partner signs off in two of his major that you will pass without any thought. West 1 1NT East 1 2 This is the only auction where responder can bid a new suit and have a weak hand.

When responder bids a major and then bids a minor, it has special meaning. Two clubs or two diamonds on the second round by responder are special artificial bids which do most of the work in TWS. However, when responder bids spades and then hearts, he is showing a weak hand. There are ways for responder to bid spades and then show an invitational hand with hearts. Bidding one spade and then two hearts, as done here, is a weak sequence. All of these hands would bid one spade and then two hearts. Here, you have five spades and four hearts. When you bid this way, you promise five spades, but you K7643 do not promise more than four hearts. J1073 74 Q7 Two hearts is not forcing. Here you happen to have five hearts but there is no guarantee that you J10963 have five. Obviously, you do not want to be higher than two hearts or two spades. The last thing you KJ873 want to see when you bid two hearts is your partner thinking about what to do. All you want to hear is 32 a pass or a preference to two spades. Two hearts is weak and your partner must never get excited. If J you have a good hand or an invitational hand, you will bid something other than two hearts. Opener is allowed to bid two spades, giving a normal preference, but opener should not bother raising hearts just because he happens to have four. On hands where opener has four-card heart support, opener should feel happy that a good fit has been found and should then pass. Be grateful that partner was able to bid hearts. I can promise you that in most cases when you have four card support that you are more likely to go down in two hearts than you are likely to make a game. If this is opener's hand, he just returns to two spades. Q74 AQ3 K74 K1095 K5 AQ93

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AJ6 10864

Even though you have great hearts and a spade honor too, it is best to pass two hearts. It is true that once in awhile you will make ten tricks but it won't happen very often. At best, game will depend on a finesse and it often will be worse than that.

AQ A106 Q85 Q8653

Not an easy hand. I would pass. As long as you know thta you are allowed to pass, you will probably do the right thing when you have two spades and three hearts. Let's face it. If your partner has five spades and four hearts, you won't be happy in two of either major.

REMEMBER that responder has five spades and four or five hearts. Opener can't tell how many hearts responder has for this sequence. Responder Jumps to Three Clubs When responder jumps to 3 over opener's 1NT rebid, it shows the desire to play 3 bid.

- that is, it is a weak, signoff

When Partner Opens One Club The last weak sequence sounds like it might be strong. It is not. When responder bids three clubs directly over the one notrump rebid, it is a signoff. Opener is not invited to bid again. Possible hands: West East 1 1 1NT 3 83 Q1073 82 AJ872 7 KJ83 10974 Q983 You are sure that three clubs is the best spot and you bid it, knowing the auction is over.

Here you know clubs is right but since you can't get to two clubs, you have to choose between one notrump and three clubs. You rather expect the oppoents may discover a spade fit if you pass one notrump so bidding three clubs has a dual purpose. Given your partner will have four clubs most of the time, this approach has a lot going for it. Remember that this is one convention that neither you or your partner can afford to forget. When Partner Opens One Diamond or One Heart West East 1 1 1NT 3 AJ83 3 76 J107653 You clearly want to be in clubs and nowhere else. Further, you do not want your partner to even think about bidding over three clubs.

J10763 4 K2 QJ1074

This hand is more difficult but bidding three clubs is reasonable. Your other choice is to bid two spades which will also end the auction. As opener usually has three clubs and may have two spades, bidding three clubs is a sensible choice.

NOTE that there is one more weak auction that I have not discussed yet. It is a special sequence that originates with a two-club bid. I will discuss it in the next section. Part 3 The Invitational Two Club Bid and Continuations NOTE that there is ONE weak auction in this section. West 1x 1NT

East 1y 2

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When your side begins as shown, responder's two club bid is a funny kind of Stayman which includes most of responder's invitational hands. Some exceptions apply, but not many. RULE When responder bids two clubs, opener MUST bid two diamonds. He is not permitted to do anything else. Responder will describe what kind of hand he has on his next bid. The majority of TWS auctions will begin with two clubs. Here is a list of how responder continues and what he has for the various bids. West East 1 1 1NT 2 2 ? Remember that opener had to bid two diamonds. He did not say anything about his hand. At this point, he can have a minimum or a maximum, and he may or may not have support for hearts. PASS: Responder may pull a trick on opener and pass two diamonds. This is how you get to two diamonds when responder has a weak hand. If the opening bid was one diamond, responder bid two clubs and then pass two diamonds on any weak hand with four diamonds. For instance, if East held this hand, he would respond one heart and then use the two club trick to stop in two diamonds. Responder judges that it is safer to play in two diamonds than in one notrump. He gets to two 8 diamonds by bidding two clubs, forcing opener to bid two diamonds, and then passes it out. The nice J965 thing about this sequence is that opener bids two diamonds and responder passes giving opener no Q973 chance to bid again. What better way is there to shut opener up? A842 If the opening bid was one of any other suit, responder can bid two clubs and get out in two diamonds on any weak hand that includes five or more diamonds. For instance: West East 1 1 1NT 2 2 ? Opener rates to have some diamonds so playing in two diamonds looks to be right from responder's J873 point of view. On this hand, he has five diamonds. Responder may have six of them. This hand is an 3 important reminder that opener must behave himself and always bid two diamonds in response to two QJ873 clubs. No imagination allowed here! K93 2 : Invitational Sequences West 1 1NT 2 K72 Q9862 AQ6 42 52 AKQJ7 873 J104 East 1 2 2

On this sequence, responder bid one heart, went through the two club sequence, and then rebid his hearts. This auction is invitational. It shows a five-card suit and game interest. This hand has eleven high card points, which is par. East might have twelve points, but if so, they will be poor. This hand would also bid two clubs on the second round and follow with two hearts. Opener continues as he sees fit. His possible bids include pass, two or three notrump, and three or four hearts.

Opener's rebid after responder's invitational 2 QJ8 53 K87 AK652 Pass or two notrump. A guess.

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J63 QJ7 AQ A10532 AK4 KQ 984 J10763 A63 KQ7 763 KJ98 KJ7 J8 KQ10 A10953

Four hearts. Opener has a maximum with good support and quality points. This hand is so good that you might raise to game without the jack of spades. NOTE that responder always has FIVE hearts for this sequence. With six of them, he would choose another sequence. Pass. Your two nice hearts will help partner's trumps but you don't have the third trump needed to raise. As for notrump, you have an obvious diamond worry and you do not have a maximum hand either.

Raise to three hearts. You have good support but bad shape.

Bid three notrump. Do not bid just two and leave your partner to guess. You have a maximum and you have some nice spot cards. As long as you can trust your partner to have the values he promises, bidding three notrump is best. In practice, this convention will produce some embarrassing moments some of its bids are easy to forget. However, the net benefits to this convention are worth chasing even if you have some bad moments first. West East KJ763 1 1 QJ102 1NT 2 6 2 2 A52 This time, responder's initial bid was 1 and now he is bidding a new suit. Two hearts shows five spades and four hearts and invitational values. This hand shows one of the big advantages of TWS. Responder can show weak hands with spades and hearts and he can distinguish many of his invitational hands with spades and hearts combined or only one major. 1. He can show a weak hand with spades and hearts by bidding one spade and rebidding two hearts directly over 1NT. 107653 97653 AJ 3 2. He can show an invitational hand with five spades and four hearts by bidding two clubs over 1NT and then bidding two hearts. The good news is that TWS often lets you stop at the two level, something that is difficult to do in AJ863 some other methods. On hands where opener has a minimum hand and responder invites, KJ73 staying low is important. You can do this much of the time with TWS. Take the hand above. In Q3 other methods, you will often get to two notrump or three of a major. TWS lets you show your 82 hand at a low level. You won't get higher unless your partner wishes to. K10763 KJ842 5 Q9 This hand reflects judgment. You might not want to get to the three level unless you are sure you have a good fit. If you wish, you can bid two clubs and then two hearts, ostensibly showing five spades and four hearts. This is invitational and if you catch an interesting bid from your partner such as three hearts, you can go to game knowing you have a good fit.

3. He can show an invitational hand with five hearts and five spades . He does this by bidding two clubs and then bidding three hearts. AGAIN, responder bids two clubs on the second round and on his next turn jumps to three hearts. This shows an invitational hand with five spades and five hearts . Opener knows that responder KJ763 has an invitational hand because he started with two clubs over one notrump. Opener knows QJ1032 responder has five hearts because he jumped on the second round. NOTE that this hand is about K4 as good as it gets. When you have a five-five hand, it becomes extra powerful when your partner 5 rebids one notrump because you know you have a fit. If you had anything more than this hand, you would force to game and not invite. 4. An invitational sequence with one five-card major suit: West 1 1NT East 1 2 AKJ73 Q73 J75

49

82

If responder bids and rebids his spade suit, he is showing an invitational hand with five spades. This is the same as when responder bids one heart, uses the two club trick, and follows with two hearts. 5. An invitational sequence with four hearts and five spades : West 1 1NT 2 East 1 2 2 AJ73 QJ973 43 K8

If responder bid one heart on the first round and now bids two spades, he is showing an invitational hand with four spades and five hearts. Opener won't have four spades, but he can still choose between hearts and notrump. Remember that on ninety-five percent of the auctions where responder bids two clubs and then bids again, he is showing only invitational hands. This auction may look like a reverse, but the two club bid defines the auction as invitational, no matter how it feels to you otherwise. Hopefully, opener will know enough to come up with a final contract. 6. This example shows how to describe an invitational hand with a six-card major. West 1 1NT 2 East 1 2 3 QJ4 QJ9754 AJ 53

Bidding two clubs and then jumping in your suit shows this kind of hand. Most systems have a way to show this hand. The one used here is available only to TWS players. In this case, the system does not gain you anything special. Minor considerations West 1 1NT 2 East 1 2 2NT West 1 1NT East 1 2NT

Bidding two clubs and then raising opener's one notrump rebid to two notrump is invitational. You may have noted in the preliminary discussion that raising one notrump directly to two notrump is invitational too. Why have two ways to raise to two notrump? Science offers a reason. If you raise the one notrump rebid to two notrump, you have an eleven or twelve point hand with no other feature to show. If you bid two clubs and then bid two notrump, you show the same eleven or twelve point hand but you also promise four-card support for partner's minor suit. Your partner may go back to three of his minor if he wishes.

For example: 73 AJ104 872 AQ92 West 1 1NT 2 By bidding two clubs and then two notrump, you tell partner you have a balanced hand with good club support. He can choose from two or three notrump or three clubs. Heck, he might have a reason to go to five clubs. East 1 2 3 A4 9754 A6 K9753

Here, West opened with one club. When you go through the two club routine and then raise clubs, you imply five clubs and only four hearts. With five hearts and five clubs, you would tend to show an invitational hand with five hearts. You can't do everything.

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West 1 1NT 2

East 1 2 3

A4 QJ754 6 A10753

This time, partner opened with a suit other than clubs. When you bid two clubs over one notrump and then bid three clubs, you show a five-five hand with invitational values. As your bidding shows five-five shape, you will be able to get back to hearts if partner prefers them. If you have five hearts and four clubs and an invitational hand, you should probably not bother showing the clubs. When partner opens one diamond and rebids one notrump over your one heart bid, it is simplest A7 and most direct to raise to two notrump. Why waste time showing clubs when you have a KJ73 relatively balanced eleven count? The odds are very strong that three notrumps is the only making 43 game for your side. In addition, if you raise to two notrump instead of talking it up, the defenders QJ984 will know less than if you blab. If you raise to two notrump, you might get a club lead now and then. That certainly won't hurt you. Responder Bids Two Clubs and then Bids Three Diamonds on His Third Turn: If partner opened one diamond, bidding two clubs and then raising to three diamonds shows an invitational diamond raise. West 1 1NT 2 East 1 2 3 K64 AJ54 QJ743 3

This sequence shows a limit diamond raise. You rate to have only four hearts for this bid. Since you are raising diamonds and therefore offering five diamonds as a possible contract, you will have real distribution for this bid. If you have a balanced hand, you tend to raise to two notrump instead. K64 AJ54 QJ74 32 Raise to two notrump, do not look for a diamond contract.

If partner opened with something besides one diamond, bidding two clubs and then bidding three diamonds says you have an invitational five-five hand. Opener chooses between various contracts knowing almost exactly what you have. Part 4 The Two Diamond Bid and Continuations West 1 1NT ? East 1 2

When responder bids two diamonds after a one notrump rebid, it is game forcing, with no exceptions. The auction goes more or less as you would expect after this start. The bidding is almost entirely natural from this point on.

Here are opener's rebids after a two diamond bid by responder. 2 Two hearts shows four hearts. Opener may have three spades too. When you have three card support and four cards in the other major, you show the four card suit first. 2 You show three spades and deny four hearts. 2NT You deny support for either major suit. 3 This may be a rebid or opener's original suit or it may be a new suit. Whichever it is, it is logical in that opener is choosing to show a feature of his hand. K3 1093 A873 AQJ2. Three clubs feels like a nice bid. You have denied support for spades and you have denied four hearts. Partner should not be confused by this bid. 3 72 A94 KQ1097 AJ3. Bid three diamonds and let partner know your minor suit is for real. Do this only if you have a maximum and quality points. 3 /3 Three hearts and three spades do not exist. I suppose that these bids could be used to show a maximum with support for the major I responded in, but since we are in a game forcing auction, these bids are not necessary. 3NT Opener NEVER bids three notrump in response to two diamonds. Responder may be looking for a slam. Bidding three notrump gets in his way.

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A Few Two Diamond Sequences Q93 J72 QJ9 AKJ3 A82 KQ1084 K83 104 West 1 1NT 2 Pass East 1 2 3NT

East has a good heart suit and nice high cards so can force to game even though he has twelve only points. West has three card support which he shows. East is not sure that hearts is better than notrump. When East bids three notrump, he is merely suggesting notrump. He is not insisting on it. East must have five hearts else why bother bidding two diamonds? West, if he thinks a heart contract is best, can return to four hearts. 105 QJ83 AK872 A10 AK73 A7 J10963 K6 West 1 1NT 2 4 5 East 1 2 3 4NT 6

East bids one spade and over one notrump can choose between two routes. One route is to bid three notrump and get the hand over with. Or, East can bid two diamonds, creating a game-forcing auction, and then show diamond support. West's bidding is forced for the first few bids. His one notrump rebid looks a tad strained, but it is a much better bid than rebidding two diamonds. Over two diamonds by East, West has to show hearts. Even if West had three spades, he would show the four hearts first according to the rule. Finally, when East bids three diamonds, West sees that his hand is very good. This is especially true given that he has shown a balanced hand with twelve to fourteen points. If East is interested in diamonds, West is extremely agreeable. His four club bid says that diamonds is fine and that opener has the ace of clubs in case East is interested. East is interested. East knows that West does not have three spades because he would show them over three diamonds. East's hand is therefore pretty powerful. If West has the ace-king of diamonds and the ace of clubs, slam will have a fair play. East checks for aces on general principles and bids the slam. East must remember that West has a maximum of fourteen high card points. East, therefore, does not look for a miracle hand from West that will make seven diamonds. 105 KJ83 K872 KQJ AK732 A975 Q3 A8 West 1 1NT 2 4 East 1 2 3 Pass

East bids one spade and follows with two diamonds, TWS. West bids two hearts, showing four of them. If West had three spades too, he would still show the hearts. East has some slight interest in a slam so bids three hearts to give West room to show interest too. West has an aceless hand with ordinary points and returns to four hearts. East, if he trusts West's judgment, will pass four hearts. Slam may make on these cards, but the chance is about ten percent. This is not a slam you want to be in. If West had a maximum hand with controls, he would be entitled to cue-bid over three hearts. The key in these auctions is that when responder starts with two diamonds, the partnership is in a game forcing auction. This goes contrary to many bidding styles and is not too easy to get into your subconscious. Curiously, new two over one players have the same trouble. It takes awhile to be comfortable with raising to three hearts on the East hand above. Be of stout heart, learn the methods, and go from there.

Other Agreements A Raise to Two Notrump Not everything is unusual when using TWS. A raise to two notrump is an old-fashioned, invitational bid showing eleven or twelve points. Q73 KJ83 West 1 East 1

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KJ74 Q5

1NT

2NT

If responder had some nines and tens, he could bid game. Without them, raising to two notrump is about right. Responder's Jump Rebids A Jump to Three Clubs No matter how the bidding has started, when opener rebids one notrump and responder jumps to three clubs, it is a signoff bid. If opener bid one club, responder's jump to three clubs may be made on four clubs. If opener's bid was another suit, responder's jump to three clubs will usually show six. A873 10763 4 QJ85 AJ73 63 4 J98652 West 1 1NT West 1 1NT East 1 ? East 1 ? Bid three clubs. West doesn't have four spades or four hearts. He will have four or more clubs. Playing in clubs is surely a good thing to do and bidding three clubs is the way to get to three clubs without fear of getting higher. Bid three clubs. Your partner has two of them and likely three. This bid is an absolute signoff. West may not bid again. Even if he has three spades and two clubs, he is required to pass. You have only six high card points and have no interest in any more bidding, which is the message you are giving your partner.

Other Jumps Remember that three-level bids other than three clubs are all game-forcing, no matter how the earlier bidding has gone. Bid three diamonds. Three diamonds shows a five-five hand with West East K3 hearts and diamonds and game-forcing values. AJ963 1 1 This is a useful bid because you tell partner about both of your KJ1084 1NT ? five-card suits. If partner bids three notrump, you can pass without J guilt. NOTE - If West had opened one diamond, your jump to three diamonds would be forcing, showing hearts and diamonds. Since you did not bother bidding two diamonds, forcing, to find out if he has heart support, it is logical that three diamonds shows just four hearts. AJ3 QJ9873 KJ K6 West 1 1NT East 1 ? Bid three hearts. Three hearts shows a game-forcing hand with six or more hearts. Remember that all jumps to the three-level other than three clubs are forcing to game.

Opener usually bids three notrump or raises hearts. Opener is allowed to make a cue-bid if he wishes. Things like the following are possible: K96 K42 A876 A82 AJ3 QJ9873 KJ K6 West 1 1NT 4 5 Pass East 1 3 4NT 6

West's four club bid says hearts are fine and that West has a maximum hand with good cards for East. East, with about seventeen support points and nice prime cards, goes ahead with Blackwood. The final contract is not cold, but it will make if East can guess which finesse to take OR if the defenders lead either spades or diamonds. This is worth bidding. The important thing is how the bidding works. KJ93 AQ KQ84 KQ6 West 1 1NT East 1 ? Four clubs. Don't forget that a jump to four clubs after a one notrump bid or rebid is ace-asking. This is not part of the TWS convention but it is a useful bid that you must remember.

OPTIONAL TREATMENTS You can add some cute tricks to this convention should you wish to do so. I have referred to them earlier but I warn you that if you have not discussed them, your partner will not be sure of what you are doing. Here are some of them. KJ93 AQ KQ84 KQ6 West 1 1NT East 1 ? Four clubs. Don't forget that a jump to four clubs after a one notrump bid or rebid is ace-asking. This is not part of the TWS convention but it is a useful bid that you must remember.

53

West 1 1NT

East 1 3

What do you think this can mean? Responder could have forced in spades in various ways. Is he showing six hearts and five spades? That is possible, but darned unlikely.

The scientific meaning for this bid is that it is a splinter bid showing a singleton spade and a slam try in hearts. 3 KQJ8743 Q8 AQJ With this hand, you would be thinking about a slam but would not have an easy way to go about it. Using the three spade bid to show a slam try with hearts and a singleton spade, you can get partner's opinion in time to use it at a safe level. West 1 1NT On this sequence, East's jumps would be defined as follows: 3 A singleton spade with a heart slam try as shown above (often called an autosplinter). East 1 ?

4 Simple Gerber (ace-asking).If responder wants to use key card, he has to let opener know what the trump suit is first. 4 4 4NT A singleton diamond with a heart slam try as shown above. Just an old-fashioned signoff. An ordinary quantitative raise.

An Inevitable Question: Does TWS apply in the following situation? West East 1 1 1NT ? I suggest you play it here as well. There are a couple of examples in the text which imply that the convention exists after the auction begins this way. I agree that it ought to.

Examples with Auctions and Explanations A Review The convention under discussion is called 'Two-way Stayman after a 1NT rebid'. In the simplest of terms, when opener rebids 1NT, responder can bid 2 which starts various invitational sequences. Responder's 2 bid announces enough points to force to game allowing the partnership to explore without squandering bidding room. In the following hands, I will elaborate on the 2 part of the convention. In later hands, I will cover the 2 bid and other things that responder can do. WHEN RESPONDER BIDS 2 When opener bids a suit at the one level and rebids one notrump, no matter which suits were bid, the following guidelines apply. 2 by responder is used to show most invitational hands. Opener is requested to bid 2 over which responder defines his intentions. There are two points to make here: 1. If responder wants to play in 2 , he bids 2 and then passes when opener bids 2 . This is the only time that responder is allowed to have a weak hand when he bids 2 . Opener thinks responder has an invitational hand when he bids 2 and will find out otherwise only when responder passes 2 . 2. If responder wishes to make an invitational notrump raise, he can do so by bidding

54

2NT. This is the only invitational bid that does not start with 2 . When opener bids 2 as asked, responder continues bidding thusly. Refer to this auction for the rest of this discussion. West East 1 1 1NT 2 * 2 ** ? * Two-way Stayman ** Forced This is how responder gets to diamonds. Here is a typical hand for responder to have when he wants to stop in 2 . 1. A873 972 Q10964 8 Pass Opener may choose to show three card support for responder instead of bidding 2 , but he should do so only when he has wonderful support and also hates diamonds. This occurs perhaps one time in thirty. Since opener often raises with three good cards in partner's major, it will be very rare for opener to do anything other than 2 . When responder shows the unbid major, he is showing an invitational hand with five of his original major and four of the new one. (With five spades and five hearts, responder bids 3 over opener's 2 bid.) Opener can pass, raise to 3 or 4 , go to 2NT or 3NT, or give a preference back to spades. The following hand is typical. Responder bids 1 first and over a one notrump rebid, he follows with 2 and then 2 .

2. KJ763 QJ83 KJ3 8 2

Responder has invitational strength and is willing to play in two of a major or higher. For these invitational auctions,responder needs at least ten high-card points. Partner is entitled to return to notrump so you have to have values he can count on. 3. QJ763 K3 A873 J2 4. AKJ3 873 73 Q1094 2NT 2 If responder goes back to two of his original major after bidding two clubs, it shows a five card suit and encourages opener to bid again. For instance, if responder bid 1 and then followed with 2 and then 2 , he could have this hand.

A sensible bidding trick is to say that if responder bids two clubs and then two notrump, he is showing an invitational notrump hand with four-card support for opener's minor. Opener may choose to play in clubs if he wishes. An direct raise to two notrump over opener's one notrump rebid is available here for invitational hands without four clubs.

As responder started with 2 before raising clubs, he is promising invitational strength. He can have something like this hand. 5. A873 7 K73 KJ974 6. AJ732 7 KJ983 Q6 7. AJ732 KQ972 83 3 3 3 This sequence is rare. Responder will seldom want to run from 1NT into 3 . If responder has invitational points, he will usually try to play in notrump. Most likely, responder has good distribution which is why he is willing to play in clubs instead of notrump. NOTE that responder probably has a four-card major. With five spades, he would tend to show them and then show clubs if the auction allowed it. Responder started with 2 so he is showing invitational strength with 5/5 in diamonds and spades. When responder bids a "new" minor after 2 , he must offer opener viable options. Hence, the five-five distributional requirement. With a minimum, opener can pass or correct to 3 . With a maximum, opener can bid 3NT, 4 , or (very rarely) raise diamonds. Bidding 2 and then jumping to 3 still shows an invitational hand. The reason for bidding this way is that responder has 5-5 in the majors with invitational values. With five spades and four hearts and invitational values, he bids 2 and then 2 .

55

6 8. QJ7632 2 K83 K106 9. AJ763 K2 Q98 K106 3NT 3

With 5-5 shape, responder can count on a fit so he doesn't have to have as many highcard points to bid this way as he does when he is inviting in notrump. When responder goes through the 2 bid and then jumps to three of his original suit, he is showing a six-card suit with invitational strength. This hand is typical. NOTE that this bid is not invitational to 3NT. Responder wishes to play in some number of spades only. Responder is showing a balanced hand that wants to play in game and is offering opener a choice between spades and notrump. This sequence shows interest only in game.

When you are reading these hands, you should not feel that it is necessary to play this convention. What you should do is look at the idea and see how it compares with your current methods. If you like what you see, give thought to adding Two-Way Rebids to your card. If you feel it is too involved, bid the following hands using your usual methods and see if they hold up. If you do well with your normal methods, there is no reason to add complexity. 1. EAST DEALS EAST-WEST VULNERABLE West 63 J8752 Q10763 Q SCORES: 2 =10; 2 =5; 2 EXPLANATIONS EAST 1 WEST 1 KJ8 K3 J96 AJ1074 =4; 3 1 2 Pass =3; 1NT=1 East 1 1NT 2

Routine. Five points isn't much, but the shape suggests there might be something good happening here. It is right to respond. Take away one high card point and it would still be proper to bid with this shape. Also routine. Showing tweleve to fourteen in most methods. ALERTABLE. 2 usually shows some invitational type hand. Opener must bid 2 and responder then describes what he has. The one exception is when responder has a crummy hand with five or more diamonds and wants to get out of 1NT. Two-way Stayman lets you do that. ALERTABLE. Opener bids 2 opener do something else. more or less automatically. VERY rarely will

EAST WEST

1NT 2

EAST

We have arrived in 2 . This is how it is done. For those who use some other convention, you are entitled to be a little jealous of this sequence. 2. WEST DEALS NO ONE VULNERABLE A103 K8 52 K8763 KJ7 Q962 AJ654 K3 West East 1 1 1NT 2 2 2 Pass SCORES: 1NT=10; 2 =8; 2NT=6; 3 =3; 3NT=2 EXPLANATIONS EAST 1 East intends to look for a game one way or another. How he does it depends on what West rebids. WEST 1NT The only choice. 2 would be criminal.

WEST

Pass

56

EAST

ALERTABLE. 2 asks opener to bid 2 after which responder shows what he has. West may bid two hearts but only with a huge preference for hearts over diamonds. In fact, opener virtually always bids two diamonds. ALERTABLE. As asked. Opener does this 99% of the time. In fact, you could agree to bid 2 on all hands, which wouldn't be a bad idea. This shows five hearts and light invitational strength. This is one of the advantages of this method. In other methods, responder has to bid 2NT or more to show invitational hands but employing TWS you can show your invitational hand and still play in two-of-your-major if that is judged best.

WEST

EAST

WEST Pass West has a minimum. 3. EAST DEALS EAST-WEST VULNERABLE J1076 9 AJ6 KQ764 West 1 2 3 5

A8 J83 KQ10 A10853 East 1 1NT 2 3 Pass

SCORES: 5 =10; 4 =7; 2NT=4; 2 =3 EXPLANATIONS EAST 1NT Again, the 1NT rebid is better than rebidding 2 . On this hand, opener doesn't have a sure heart stopper. Still, it is better to show the general nature of your hand when you can do so than to rebid a so-so five card suit. WEST 2 ALERTABLE. On this hand, West intends to show an invitational hand with club support. West can't bid 3 now because the immediate jump to 3 shows a weak, signoff hand. ALERTABLE. As requested. Invitational. It is important to note that when you invite in a minor suit, you have a lot of distributional values. If you have notrump values, you tend to raise notrump and not bother with the minor suit. East has a maximum hand in the context of the 1NT rebid. He has fourteen high-card points and a five-card club suit. For all West knows, East could have only three or four clubs so East's actual holding is a big bonus. 3 is a game try, promising good diamonds and implying worry about hearts. West has shape and good cards. NOTE that West's final bid is made with the recognition that East has shown interest in game. This is a good sequence because West's final decision is not a guess. West might have blasted to 5C over the 1NT rebid, but it would have been a stab rather than a decision. There is no reason to be in a game, going down, if you can safely stop in a partscore when that is all there is.

EAST WEST

2 3

EAST

WEST

REMINDER. West's 3 bid shows invitational strength based on shape. If West had something like A873 K8 J106 QJ83, he would raise to 2NT instead of beating around the bushes with club support. Any time you invite in a minor suit, you must remember that you are suggesting playing for eleven tricks in a minor. Only with a lot of distribution should you consider a minor-suit game and not three notrump. 4. WEST DEALS BOTH SIDES VULNERABLE

57

QJ3 875 AQ98 KQ8 West 1 1NT 2 3NT East 1 2 2 Pass

AK8 KJ943 63 J74

SCORES: 3NT=10; 4 =8; Partial=4 EXPLANATIONS The first rounds of the bidding are normal. East shows his hearts and then bids 2 over the 1NT rebid. NOTE that opener bids 2 even though he has three-card heart support. EAST 2 By bidding 2 first and then bidding 2 , responder shows five hearts and invitational values. Opener chooses the final contract. WEST 3NT West's decision to play notrump instead of hearts is OK. With all suits stopped and with good spot cards, along with terrible heart support, playing in notrump looks like the right decision. Here are some other possible hands for West and what he would do with them. QJ8 Q102 AKJ2 1042 With this hand West might choose to return to 3 as he knows East has five. If West had a better hand, he could jump to 4 at this point. J108 Q7 AK1062 K84 With no heart support, West has to choose between passing and going on to 3NT. 5. EAST DEALS EAST-WEST VULNERABLE AJ10863 K7 32 Q84 West 1 2 3 Pass =3; 3NT=2 East 1 1NT 2 4 Q4 J1084 A10874 AK

SCORES: 4 =10; 2 =5; 2NT=4; 3 EXPLANATIONS EAST 1 Routine. WEST 1

West has one of those frustrating hands that can reach for game or slam opposite a fit. When no fit comes out, it may be necessary to stop in a partscore. Automatic. 1NT comes closer to showing this hand than any other bid. ALERTABLE. West knows East has two spades, so there is a mild fit at worst and a fair fit at best. West starts with 2C intending to follow with an invitational bid in spades. ALERTABLE. As requested. Bidding 2 and following with a jump rebid of your major shows an invitational hand with a six-card suit. ALERTABLE. Two spades is good enough support when partner has a six-

EAST WEST

1NT 2

EAST WEST

2 3

EAST

58

card suit. The only question for East is whether to pass or go on to game. With two aces and a king and an honor in trump, East's 4 bid is clear.

2NT Game Try

Pentru a facilita expunerea, in acest articol Sud este cel care face invitatia. Prin "scurtime" se intelege nu mai mult de dubleton. Conventia vine sa ajute axa sa ajunga in mansa atunci cind valorile sunt invitationale. Multi 2NT actioneaza numai dupa ce a fost fitata o majora pina la nivelul de doua tricuri. 2NT Game Try are dezavantajul ca ofera informatii destul de precise (si) flancului, de aceea cel care declanseaza 2NT Multi trebuie sa aiba motive bine intemeiate, sa aprecieze ca riscul de a pierde o mansa este mai mare decit desconspirarea propriei distributii. N 1 2 S 1 ? N 1 2 S 1 ? N 1 2 N S 1 1 ? S N 2 S 1 ?

59

1 2

1 ?

1 2

1 ?

1 2

1 1 ?

1 ?

In toate aceste secvente Nord se descrie ca fiind limitat. Sud, cu valori invitationale, mai poate face un efort, astfel: - culoare noua la nivel de trei, cere licitarea mansei de cupa, cu ajutor pe acea culoare si maximal - 2NT, invita la mansa, Sud garanteaza o scurtime, Nord liciteaza culoarea cea mai buna a sa sau revine in majora reala, iar cu un singleton liciteaza direct mansa. Nota: Efortul pe culoare (nu si cel cu 2NT) se joaca si in cazul unei deschideri in pozitia a treia si declansarea unei secvente Drury, e.g. W N E S Pass Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 2 Pass 2 Pass 3 = daca Nord are ajutor pe trefla, poate licita mansa

Wolff Relay After The 2NT Rebid

by Lex De Groot In the April 1993 issue of BRIDGE (the monthly bulletin of the Dutch Bridge League), Kees Tammens relates how Berry Westra was pacing to and fro, a broken man, at the conclusion of the final match for a spot in the finals of the first Forbo International Team of Four Tournament, held at the Kurhaus, in Scheveningen, The Netherlands. What had happened? As West, Westra held: 8 4 3 A Q 2 A K 5 2 A Q 2 West Westra 1 2) 2NT North Baldursson 1 Pass East Van der Neut 1 4NT South Thorvaldsen Pass (All Pass)

1)

1) why not 1? 2) 18-20 hcp

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Tammens rightly observed that 4NT is quantitative in this auction, rather than Blackwood, as no trump suit had been agreed. What was Westra to bid? It is true, he didn't have a minimum, and in addition, splendid controls, but the rest was really small fry. Even holding 10 instead of 5 would have persuaded Westra to bid the slam, according to Tammens. Perhaps. The value of 10 in this hand is rather questionable, sitting under the diamond-overcaller. Every once in awhile South will have Q-J doubleton, or three small, so that the 10 - in contrast to the 5 - might serve as a threat in a squeeze against North. Be that as it may, in the circumstances Westra took a dim view, and passed. What about Jaap van der Neut? He held K Q J 9 7 6 K 5 3 6 4 K 6, and with that he had a tough call to make. On the one hand a good source of tricks, but on the other hand a dearth of aces. Blackwood, perhaps? Even were West(ra) to show four aces and hold, say, Q - 18 points already - then there would only be eleven tricks without a lead into the diamond tenace. The opponents hold a minimum of eight, and more likely nine or ten points between them, and in view of the overcall these will be located mostly with North, behind the NTbidder. Thus, a successful slam will depend more on the nature, rather than the exact number of points in opener's hand. This requires intelligent co-operation by West, which is possible only when he can form a reasonable impression of East's hand. Was that the case, here? Hardly. I assume that Westra and van der Neut were an ad hoc partnership, without detailed agreements on numerous bidding situations (e.g. what did 1 promise, following the 1overcall?). And that's probably just as well, as the danger of shipwreck of such a partnership, when equipped with a plethora of bells and whistles, is seldom compensated by an occasional success. How would you have bid the East-hand after the 2NT-rebid with your regular partner? Three spades, forcing, first? Fine. But if that's your systemic bid, and assuming you don't play preemptive jump responses to one-level openings, how do you bid a weak hand with long spades if you want to play in 3 ? Or do you pass, holding K J 9 7 6 5 8 5 7 3 10 7 5, when partner opens with 1? I should hope not. So, should East bid 4 if 3 is a close-out? But that need not be anything more than a minimum responding hand with long spades, and certainly wouldn't do justice to van der Neut's cards. His 4NT wasn't such a bad idea under the circumstances, despite the result being a bitter disappointment. Actually, we would like to be able to do everything: sign off below game with a weak hand; bid game with a fair hand; and suggest slam with something better still. And maybe distinguish between good and broken suits. Well, all that is possible using the Wolff Relay. Moreover, the nice thing about it is that you need not incorporate the entire scheme into your system all at once. So there's plenty of opportunity for getting accustomed and experimentation. We'll survey the various possibilities by means of a number of sample auctions, and it's up to you to define the specific requirements for a given sequence. The Wolff Relay The Wolff Relay, a convention based on an idea by Bobby Wolff, is useful to any partnership not using preemptive jump responses to opening bids of one of a suit. Responder wants to distinguish between forcing and nonforcing bids in his suit(s) when opener rebids 2NT after a one-level response, thereby denying four-card support - certainly for responder's major. In the following, X and Y denote arbitrary suits, m is a minor, and M is a major. 1X 2NT 1Y 3Y When responder rebids his major directly, it is forcing, and shows a five or six-card suit. If opener denies three-card support by rebidding 3NT, then responder may pass or, with slam interest, bid 4NT (quantitative, as no trump suit has been agreed) or 5 (Gerber). Holding at least a semi-solid six-card suit and slam interest, he bids 4Y or makes a cue-bid. But if opener bids anything but 3NT or 4Y after 3Y, then that is a cue-bid, agreeing Y as trumps, and showing slam interest and responder's 4NT would be Blackwood. An immediate jump to game (4M or possibly 5m) is a close-out with at least a six-bagger, and denies slam interest. To sign off in his suit, responder first bids 3 artificially. Opener shows three-card support for responder's suit by bidding 3Y, but otherwise rebids 3 . Now responder can sign off by passing 3 or 3Y, or by repeating his suit over 3, after which opener must pass.

1X 2NT 1m 2NT 3/3Y

1Y 4Y 1Y 3 Pass/3Y

Note that 3 is initially Wolff, even if the opening bid was 1. Responder can sign off in a lower-ranking suit, except clubs, with a weak five-five 1 1m 2NT hand, including dropping the 3-rebid. But if responder's second suit is hearts, then opener, 3

61

3 1X 2NT 3 1m 2NT 1m 2NT 3/3

Pass/3 1Y 3 4Y 1 3 1 3 3

with a super hand for hearts, could still bid game, of course. Responder shows a good hand with slam interest, but with a broken six-card suit, by rebidding his suit at the four-level following the relay. Had opener rebid 3Y instead of 3, then 4NT would have been Blackwood. Here, responder shows a normal gameforcing reverse, with spades and longer hearts. This is forcing, and the equivalent of Stayman with four-four in the majors. Opener must NEVER bid a four-card spade suit, as this might cross partner's intentions.

1m 1M If the Wolff 3-bidder next bids 3NT, it means that he has a secondary club suit, or support 2NT 3 for opener's clubs, with a mild interest in slam 3/3M 3NT This last sequence must therefore never be used by a responder who is merely interested in finding out if opener has three-card support for his major, with the intention of playing in 3NT or 4M. This is because following opener's rebid of 3 it is not possible for a 5=3=3=2 responder to bid a natural 3NT, as that would show clubs. Instead, responder must bid 3M, forcing, rather than 3. Then he can next bid 3NT, to play, over opener's 3-response. 1M With a strong two-suiter in his first suit and clubs, responder repeats his clubs. He must be 1m strong enough to play in 4NT when opener rejects the slam try by bidding 4NT. 2NT 3 3 4 1M 1m Remember that the jump to 4 is Gerber, even if the opening bid was 1, but 4NT would be 2NT 4 quantitative. 1m 2NT 3NT 1 3 ? Opener's rebid of 3NT shows doubletons in both majors (and presumably a strong doubleton hearts in view of the 2NT-rebid). Hence, a five-five responder will normally pass knowing there's no five-three fit. Therefore, 4 shows six-five.

1m 2NT 3

1 3 ?

False Preference, suggested by Bob Mosher. Opener's rebid of 3 promises three-card support for one of the majors, but NOT NECESSARILY SPADES. When responder, holding five-five, places the contract, he must bid 4 because he doesn't know which major partner can support. Opener corrects to spades with three-card spade support. If responder only has five-four, then he bids 3NT, and again opener will correct holding three-card spade support.

It should be clear by now that using the Wolff Relay increases the diversity of responding hands that can be described following opener's 2NT jump rebid. But what is the price we have to pay? We sacrifice the natural bid of 3 on some hands with secondary clubs or support for partner's clubs. Hardly a serious loss in view of the fact that many partnerships are using some form of Checkback Stayman anyway. And what about opener's 3? That, too, will hardly be missed after opener's descriptive 2NT rebid. Conceivably it might have been useful following 3 , in case responder was still looking for a four-four minor fit. Or maybe it could show a six-card diamond suit with which one elected to rebid 2NT instead of '3-1/2. Certainly no great loss if one considers the gains. Is the scheme too complicated, and a strain on memory? Only you can decide that for yourself. Perhaps one could start off simply, with just the basic idea. Systemmongers will undoubtedly come up with different variations and extensions (what is a jump in a new suit following the relay?; what changes if the opponents double 3 or 3?; or what if they make an overcall?). To illustrate the range of possibilities, we shall consider the auctions in which responder has a spade single-suiter. Bad hand with six-card suit (a very poor hand with only a five-bagger is unlikely, as responder would have passed): 1 2NT 3 1 3 3 (end) or 1 2NT 3 1 3 Pass

62

Gameforcing values with a six-card suit: 1 1 2NT 4 (end) Gameforcing values with a five-card suit: 1 2NT 3NT or 1 1 2NT 3 cue Pass Slam-going values with a five-card suit: 1 3 4NT quantitative or 1 2NT 3NT 1 3 5 Gerber 1 3 4 (end) or 1 2NT 4 1 3 Pass

1 2NT 3NT

or

1 2NT 4

1 3 4NT Blackwood

or

1 2NT cue spades trumps

1 3 are

Slam-going values with a (semi-)solid six-card suit: 1 2NT 3NT or 1 1 2NT 3 4 4 cue or 5 Gerber Slam-going values with a broken six-card suit: 1 3 4NT Blackwood or 1 2NT cue spades are trumps 1 3

or 1 or 1 1 1 1 1 2NT 2NT 2NT 3 3 3 3 3 4NT 3 4 cue (except 4 which, like 3NTshows ? Blackwood clubs) Difficult to remember all this? Not really, with this aide-memoire: use Wolff with a weak hand, or a 'weak' suit (6-card suit) in a strong hand. The rest is logical. With values for game, bid game; if (with a 5-card suit) you require trump support, rebid your suit. If partner rejects (3NT), then pass, or bid 4NT (quantitative), or Gerber (5 ). But if, despite of the rejection, you rebid your suit, or bid another suit (cuebid), then you're showing a (semi-)solid suit and slaminterest.

The date is February 20th, 1993, and we're playing the last match for a place in the finals of the Forbo International Team of Four Tournament. 8 4 3 A Q 2 A K 5 2 A Q 2 West Westra 1 2NT1) 3NT3) 45) 57) 6NT 9) North Baldursson 1 Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass K Q J 9 7 6 K 5 3 6 4 K 6 East Van der Neut 1 32) 44) 46) 5NT8) Pass South Thorvaldsen Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass

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1) 18-20 2) Shows either game values with five spades, or slam interest with five spades, or six (semi-)solid spades. 3) Let's see which way the wind blows. True, I have three-card spade support, but really minimal, and no ruffing value either. If he only has a five-card suit and values for game, then I'm going to bid 3NT with my double stop in diamonds: lead up to me, and they won't get a diamond ruff. 4) A cuebid; so he's got six good spades and slam interest. 5) Good heavens, I'm joining this party: at worst we lose one trick in spades, he is cuebidding, and I have all firstround controls in the side suits. 6) Cuebid; we're playing mixed (1st and 2nd round control) cuebids. 7) Let's keep dancing. If we have enough tricks we belong in 6NT, and not 6 . Just imagine, South leads his singleton diamond, and North has the A. 8) No other controls. Partner's diamond holding may be vulnerable, and I've got kings, not singletons, so they should be good for no trump. 9) Should I make a grand slam try (e.g. with 6?). I practically could have bid 6NT after 4. If his controls in the round suits include a singleton wouldn't he have bid 5 rather than 5NT? Let's see: five tricks in spades, three in hearts, two in diamonds, and three in clubs already make thirteen. But there may be a spade loser. Could he have solid spades in addition to two kings? I rather doubt it: he would have asked for aces (5 after 3NT). But not with minimal values for his slam invitational hand, with only six spades and without an ace. Bingo! Excellent auction. Not only did we beat the reigning world champions (Iceland), but we also made it to the final! And then the alarm went off..... Epilogue In a discussion I had with Bobby Wolff it transpired that his original concept was called the Wolff Signoff, whereby the 2NT-rebidder always must bid 3 over 3. That gives responder an opportunity to sign off in his long suit, also when he holds a weak hand with a four-card major (in which he responded) and a six-card minor on the side. Thus, one can play in 3 or 4, rather than in a Moysian major suit fit, where declarer may get short-ruffed. Playing the Wolff Relay, opener is allowed to show three-card support in response to 3, and signing off in the minor when holding the weak 4M-6m hand, is generally not possible. But all things considered, to many players this flaw will be outweighed by the extra dimensions afforded by the Wolff Relay. The Wolff Relay/Signoff can also be applied in a competitive auction in which the advancer (overcaller's partner) has bid a constructive 2NT. For example, North West East South 1 2NT 1 2 3(Wolff) 3 Pass Pass Pass 3 In this auction 3 followed by 3 is intended as a signoff, whereas 3 instead of 3, Wolff, would have been encouraging. When overcaller wants to sign off, this will usually be in his suit (a two-suiter is normally shown in a different manner), and then advancer's delayed support following 3 will not be embarrassing because the overcall is never based on a weak four-card holding.

Takeout 1NT
Ideea este simpla si eficace. Sud dealer: W 1X N Pass E 1Y S Pass 1NT

Acest 1NT al Sudului, consecvent unui pas initial, nu poate fi natural in nici un caz. Cu 1NT Sud descrie o mina cu bicolor, in principiu pe celelalte doua culori decit cele licitate de adversari. Bicolorul este minim 55, fara exceptie, pentru ca avind 54 sau 44 Sud are la dispozitie Dble. Punctele necesare interventiei vor fi judecate in functie de vulnerabilitate, de rangul culorilor, si de calitatea/utilitatea

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GENERALITATI
Quickies by Michael Lawrence Bridge is not all rules. These 'Quickies' should break a few stale perceptions and give you something to think about. 1. You open 1NT holding two four card majors. Partner bids 2 asking for a major suit. Which major do you bid ? There is not a lot of difference which one you bid, but for the sake of consistency, you and your partner should agree which one you will bid when holding both. I suggest that you bid hearts first. The reason is that partner can bid 2 over 2 if he wishes. Rebidding 2 takes up a little more bidding room. 2. Can you open 1NT with a five-card major suit ? It is all right to do so, although your partnership should be in agreement that it is OK to do so. If you do bid 1NT with a five card major, you should not have a very good major suit and you should have all other suits stopped. Q8652 K2 AJ9 KQJ This is an acceptable opening 1NT bid.

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QJ986 83 AKJ KQ8

This is not acceptable. You don't have a heart stopper and you have two little hearts to boot. Open 1 .

There is another consideration. If you open one heart with sixteen balanced points, you may be embarrassed by a one spade response. For this reason, you may feel more inclined to bid one notrump with five hearts than with five spades. 3. When the bidding by your side goes West 1NT 2 East 2 2 /2

do you and your partner know what you are showing? Is 2 forcing, invitational, or a sign off ? All treatments are reasonable, but it is important to have some agreement. You can't bid 2 partner to know what you have if you don't discuss it in advance.

or 2

and expect

4. If your partner opens 1NT and you have, how do you get to play in clubs? Or do you pass 1NT and hope nothing bad happens ? 73 I am not suggesting a solution because lots of them exist. I am just checking on your agreements to J92 see if they exist. 10 J865432 5. How many points do you show when you double a strong notrump (15-17)? How many points do you show when you double a weak notrump (12-14) ? Curiously, you should have almost as good a hand to double a weak notrump as you need to double a strong notrump. When you double a strong one, you need a wonderful fifteen points or more. When you double a weak notrump, you should have a fair fifteen points or more. It is easier to say this than it is to explain. The reason is that if you double a strong notrump when you have sixteen points, you know that your high cards will be over declarer's high cards. That will work well for you defensively. If you double a weak notrump with a thirteen point hand, there is a greater chance that dummy will have some points and your points will be sandwiched between them. It's true that your side may have half of the deck, but declarer will have the big advantage of playing the hand while you are defending it. You will learn the hard way, if you haven't already, that defense is much more difficult than playing the dummy. 6. Do you know how to bid Blackwood when partner opens 1NT and you respond Stayman and then wish to ask for aces over partner's response? West East 1NT 2 2 ? Do you have a way to bid Blackwood now? Is 4 Gerber? 4NT, quantitative or Blackwood? Or must you make an artificial slam try (say, 3 ) before bidding 4NT, Blackwood. Discuss it. 7. The opponents get to 4 via 1 - 2 - 2 - 4 . Hearts is an unbid suit and therefore is a possible lead. How do you feel about leading from the king or king-jack of hearts ? You should be happy to have one of these holdings. When you lead a suit, your side needs to have high cards in the suit you lead. If you have the king of hearts, a heart lead will work if partner has the ace or the queen. If you lead a heart from four small, you need to find a lot of heart honors in partner's hand for the lead to be useful. 8. The opponents get to 4 via 1 - 1 - 2 - 4 . When would you lead an ace ?javascript:showLayer('result7'); You should almost never lead an ace and you should never underlead an ace. Even if partner overcalled in a suit along the way, you should not rush to lead the ace of partner's suit. If you have a doubleton ace in partner's suit, it is reasonable to lead the suit, but you should still look for another lead first. 9. When you are defending, you and partner will have to use signals to communicate. What are the three main signals ?javascript:showLayer('result8'); The three main signals are:

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Attitude, where you play a high card to tell partner you like the suit and a low card to tell partner you don't like the suit. Count, where you play a high card to tell partner you have an even number of cards in a suit and a low card to tell partner you have an odd number of cards in a suit. (This signal is usually used when declarer is leading a suit and you want to tell your partner what you have in that suit). Suit preference, where your card tells partner which suit you want him to lead. The Rule I am offering is this: IF PARTNER'S SIGNAL CAN POSSIBLY BE INTERPRETED AS AN ATTITUDE SIGNAL OR A COUNT SIGNAL, THAT'S WHAT IT SHOULD BE. Only when these interpretations can't exist can a signal be interpreted as suit preference. 10. If you overcall and partner bids a new suit, (without jumping) it is not forcing. You can pass. If you do bid again, it is because you have something new to say. DO NOT rebid just because you don't like partner's suit. 11. Have a positive attitude. Don't spend time thinking why what you are doing is wrong. Instead, think of why it could be right. Believe in yourself. No one is always right. Not you, not me, not your opponents, and certainly not your partner. 12. PAY ATTENTION. If someone were to ask you at trick five what the bidding was and the exact card that was led, you should know! Keep track of everything that happens. You can never tell when it is going to become important. Have you ever spent a minute at trick twelve wondering which card to keep? If you had paid attention, you would know. You can't remember something you didn't see or didn't hear. 13. If a hand looks easy, think if there is anything that can go wrong and if you can allow for it. For instance, Q642 This suit looks like five sure tricks. But - if the suit divides 4-0, there could be problems. Play the queen first. If East has J10xx, you can pick them up. If West AK973 has J10xx, it was never to be. Think what bad can happen and look to see if you can compensate for it. 14. If you have a balanced 15-17 point hand that looks hard to bid, this one for example, consider opening with 1NT. Many funny-looking hands can be bid by opening 1NT. Always think Q2 about your rebid. If you see difficult rebidding problems lurking, the hand may be a candidate for a AJ108 1NT opener. This hand for example will be hard to rebid if you open 1 and partner bids 1 . K5 AQ753 15. If you open and partner responds at the two level, 1 - 2 , a new suit by you at the three level, 1 - 2 ; 3 , shows a good hand. Do not make this rebid with a twelve or thirteen point hand. Partner is entitled to expect an ace more than a minimum opening bid. QJ743 What do you bid ?javascript:showLayer('result9'); K73 You should rebid 2 over partner's 2 bid. DO NOT bid 2NT and DO NOT bid 3 . 2NT promises 8 two or more diamonds and 3 promises a much bigger hand. AQ83

16. It is OK to raise partner's 1 or 1 response with only three trump if there is nothing better. New players hate to do this. I offer with every conviction that I can muster, that it is right to raise with three trumps on many occasions. START NOW to develop the habit of raising. Do not learn restrictive habits which you will have to unlearn later. 17. Consider all the bidding when you are making your opening lead. Especially, don't forget the passes. If your partner didn't double a Stayman 2 , or a 5 response to Blackwood, or a 4 cue-bid, you have a mild reason to look beyond these suits for your opening lead. 18. Don't double the opponents cue-bids or their artificial bids when they are going to slam UNLESS you think your partner is going to be on opening lead. If he is the leader, he may need your double to help him. If you are going to be on opening lead, you don't want to tell the opponents something that may help THEM. 19. Do not lead the top of partners suit unless you have all small cards. If you have 9xx or better, lead the low card.

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J10 953 A86 If you lead the nine, declarer's eight will will the third round of this suit. The only time you lead an unsupported honor in partner's suit is when you have a doubleton or singleton. 20. If you open and the next player doubles, a new suit by your partner at the one level (1 -DBL-1 ) is forcing and a new suit at the two level (1 - DBL - 2 ) is not forcing. It shows a goodish five-card or longer suit and 6-9 points. 21. If you open and your LHO overcalls 1NT (16-18 points) a new suit by your partner is NOT forcing. He could have as little as QJ9764 876 J96 4 If he had enough points to make a forcing bid, he would double 1NT. 22. Don't be afraid to ask for a clear explanation of an alert. BUT, do so at your turn and only do so if you feel you NEED to know the explanation. Don't ask just to make noise. The opponents may get more out of the explanation than you. Remember, you can always ask at the end of the auction. 23. Be sure to alert properly. If you forget, you will be subject to penalty if the opponents can show they were hurt. 24. Don't play a new convention until you know how it works. There is more to a convention than just knowing its name. It is one thing to say that an opening 2 bid is weak showing 6-10 points. You still have to know what it means when your partner responds and what it means when you rebid. incidentally, don't give up on a convention just because someone forgets it. (You will forget, and so will partner. It is just a matter of who goofs first) 25. If you open in third or fourth seat and then rebid when partner responds, you promise a full opener. 26. When partner opens in third or fourth seat, a raise by you shows 6-10 points instead of the normal 6-9. This is because you no longer have temporizing bids available to show the extra point. 27. When partner opens in third or fourth seat, a 1NT response by you shows 6-10 points instead of the normal 6-9. This is because you no longer have temporizing bids available to show the extra point. 28. Be willing to open weak two bids more aggressively than the classic definitions suggest, for example: QJ9654 83 A104 93This is an acceptable weak 2 if not vulnerable. You may not wish to bid 2 on this hand now, but in time, you will learn the advantages of opening 2 . 29. If you have a preemptive hand and an opponent opens with a strong 2 bid, go ahead and preempt anyway if you aren't vulnerable. The 2 bidder will not appreciate the loss of bidding space. 30. LEARN FROM THE MISTAKES MADE AT YOUR TABLE. DON'T BLAME THEM ON PARTNER. 31. Be nice to your partner. You're stuck with each other until the end of the game (Maybe longer). 32. If you decide to play negative doubles, remember that the opening bidder does not HAVE to reopen. If the opening bidder has length in overcaller's suit, he may pass it out. 33. When partner doubles a one bid for takeout, you pass ONLY when you have a strong holding in their suit. Do not pass just because you have a weak hand. With 8632 107 J10763 J3 after this bid: 1 - DBL - Pass - ?, whatever the vulnerability, you should bid 1 . 34. With two touching five-card suits, open the higher suit regardless of suit quality and regardless of the strength of your hand. DO NOT reverse with a 5-5 hand. Open both of these hands with 1 . 97642 AQJ98 A8 4 AKJ82 KQJ74 8 K5 KQ742

35. If partner opens with a weak two bid, you can compete with two card support if you wish. This is one of the reasons weak two bids are effective. Responder knows when an eight card fit exists and can bid accordingly.

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36. Lead trump when you have a reason to do so. Do not lead trump just because you don't know what to lead. 37. Never lead a singleton if declarer has bid or raised that suit. You will hurt your partner's holding more often than you can imagine. An occasional ruff will not repay you for the damage you do. 38. Learn the proprieties. An ethical player gets more respect than an unethical one. You hate it when an opponent loud doubles you. Your opponents don't like it either. 39. Learn to accept background aggravations. The world is not perfect. The room may be too hot, the computer may have gone berserk, the kibitzer may have had garlic bread with lunch. Ignore these things. Deal with the bridge issues. No excuses!! 40. Don't forget that once you have turned your card over, you can no longer look at the cards on the current trick. Don't be lazy. 41. Four-card suit overcalls are OK at the one level as long as you have a good suit, an opening bid, and do not have a better bid available. 42. Do you know the three most important signals for defenders and their order of importance? Attitude is the most important. Giving distribution signals is almost as important. Suit preference signals are a DISTANT third in importance. 43. If your opponent opens a 12-14 point weak notrump, you should not double without fifteen points or perhaps a super fourteen point hand that has a good suit to lead. 44. If your LHO opens a 12-14 point weak notrump and it is passed to you in fourth seat, you need the same fifteen point hand to double. Do not double with light hands. The odds are against you. 45. How do you play KJ43 opposite A76 if you absolutely need three tricks and and don't care about making all four? Play the king, lead to the ace, and lead back toward the jack. You will lose ONLY if the Q10xx are behind the KJ43. 46. Did you know the average expert makes two or three big goofs a session that he will admit to and half a dozen little ones that he hopes no one noticed? 47. If you respond at the two level, your partner will rebid his original suit with a five carder more often than not. His rebid does not promise six. 48. If you make a bad bid, you will never be able to tell partner you don't have what you promised. For instance, if you open 1NT promising 15-17 and discover that ace you thought you had was really a four spot, you can't tell partner you have only eleven points.

RULES TO LIVE BY
Youve probably heard some, if not most, of these before. But,depending upon your level and your experience, perhaps some may be new to you. I hope youll give them a try. They work! 1. BID MORE ON THE FIRST ROUND. Whenever possible, "Get it out of your system on the first round of bidding" while its still safe to do so. 2. GET IN AND GET OUT EARLY. If you dont find a fit, get out of the bidding. 3. MAKE THE OPPONENTS MAKE THE LAST GUESS NOT YOU. On highly competitive deals, bid as high as you are willing to go immediately, then get out and watch them deal with the problem. 4. GIVE THE OPPONENTS A PROBLEM WHENEVER YOU CAN DO SO WITH RELATIVE SAFETY. If they have no problems, they will play well. If they have problems to cope with, then, no matter how good they are, they wont be able to solve them all. 5. DON'T SELL OUT AT THE 2-LEVEL WHEN THE OPPONENTS HAVE AN 8-CARD FIT. However, if you think that either side may have no 8-card fit it is correct to sell out at the two-level. 6. DONT PLAY TO TRICK ONE UNTIL YOU HAVE A PLAN. Applies both to defenders and to declarer. If you dont know what youre playing for, dont play! 7. NEVER MAKE A PENALTY DOUBLE OF A PART-SCORE WITHOUT FOUR TRUMPS. (That means never!)

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8. LIMIT YOUR HAND WHENEVER YOU CAN. Partner knows the partnership level, and the bidding goes smoothly from here. 9. NEVER LIE ABOUT TRUMP LENGTH. If you do, partner cannot make winning LOTT decisions. Or, he will choose the wrong trump suit. Or, he will misdefend because he has the wrong count. 10. WHEN YOU HAVE A RAISE, RAISE. Whenever you can, raise your partners suits. 11. WHEN YOU KNOW WHATS TRUMP, TELL PARTNER. He makes better when he knows this. 12. WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO DO IT. Dont make partner guess. 13. BID YOUR LONG SUITS - DONT MAKE A TAKEOUT DOUBLE. 14. BID YOUR FIVE-CARD MAJORS DONT MAKE A TAKEOUT DOUBLE. 15. IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU DONT WANT YOUR DOUBLE TO END THE AUCTION DONT DOUBLE. Find another bid. Perhaps 1NT or 2NT takeout (or 4NT), or a flexible cue-bid or a natural bid. 16. DONT BALANCE! There are exceptions, of course e.g., when they have found a fit and are passed out at the two-level. But, as a general rule, balancing is losing bridge. Bid your hand on the first round, before they know what to do. 17. LONG SUITS FIRST! With a 6/5, open or respond in the sixcard suit. Similarly, with 4/5 in the minors, try to open 1C if you can open 1D only when you must. 18. WITH WEAKNESS, DONT PLAY IN NOTRUMP FIND A TRUMP FIT. When we have around half the high cards (or less), no spots, and no source of tricks, well usually take more tricks in a trump suit, even when both hands are balanced. Therefore: Dont pass 1NT openings with bad hands, unless you must. 19. FOUR-OF-A-PREVIOUSLY BID MAJOR IS ALWAYS TO PLAY. Not a Q-bid NEVER. 20. IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE OF BIDS AND ONE OF THEM IS 3NT BID 3NT. 21. PLAY WITHIN YOUR PARTNERSHIP. Always have what this partner expects you to have, no matter what else you may think is right. Change your system later, not at the table. 22. PARTNER NEVER HAS THE RIGHT HAND. Be practical - dont look for the miracle unless you can do so safely. 23. ALWAYS BELIEVE YOUR PARTNER. Hes on your side. Trust the information he gives you. Always assume that he knows what hes doing, even when it looks as if hes lost his mind. 24. WITH A 6-CARD SUIT, BID TO THE 2-LEVEL BY YOURSELF. WITH A 7-CARD SUIT, BID TO THE 3-LEVEL BY YOUSELF. (No exceptions) 25. WE HAVE NO PENALTY DOUBLE OF THEIR BID-AND-RAISED SUIT AT THE TWO-LEVEL. This includes their support-double sequences. 26. WHEN YOURE ABOUT TO BECOME DECLARER WITH FOUR-SMALL TRUMPS, UNDERBID. 27. WHENEVER A NATURAL AND LIMITING NOTRUMP CALL IS ONE OF YOUR OPTIONS, THATS THE RIGHT BID. If 1NT is one of your options, bid 1NT. 28. WHEN THERE IS NO FIT, UNDERBID. 29. SURPRISE 6-5 DONT PLAY 3NT. 30. DONT PLAY NOTRUMP WITH SINGLETONS AND VOIDS. Similarly, dont defend notrump with singletons and voids. If you have an option, take it. Dont pass partners 1NT opening or rebid with a singleton. Dont pass their 1NT opening with a singleton if you can scrape up a bid. 31. TAKEOUT DOUBLES ARE NEVER OFFSHAPE. (Okay, almost never) Allowable exceptions are a) equal-level conversion of clubs to diamonds; b) strong notrumps c) 4-4 majors. NO OTHER EXCEPTIONS. We dont start with double to show extra highcards. 32. DONT PASS A GOOD HAND WITHOUT A PLAN. And be sure the plan is a good one. Under most conditions get your message across immediately before you are left without room to make a cooperative decision. 33. DONT OVERBID YOUR OWN GOOD HANDS. When the deal belongs to your side this is not the time to be pushy. In the long run you will lose heavily. If you want to overbid, do so when the hand belongs to the opponents, where you have something to gain. 34. ON FREAK DEALS, DONT DEFEND. 35. AVOID DOUBLE-GAME SWINGS. Take out insurance. 36. CONSTRUCT THREE HANDS. When you have a difficult bidding decision, construct three hands for partner which are consistent with his bidding a good hand, an average hand, and a bad hand. Then go with two-out-ofthree. (No, Zia didnt invent this one even though Michael Rosenberg gave him credit. Marty Bergen was the originator of the idea he calls it plastic.) 37. CHOICE OF GAMES COMES BEFORE SLAM BIDDING. When we dont have a trump suit, all ambiguous bids below game should be interpreted as an attempt to get to the right game, not as Qbids showing slam interest. 38. NO Q-BIDS BELOW 3NT 3-LEVEL BIDS SHOW VALUES, NOT ACES. As above, Choice-of-games comes before slam bidding. 39. IF PARTNER MAKES A SLAM TRY AND YOU HAVE AK OF TRUMPS BID IT.

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40. NEVER MAKE A GRAND TRY WITH AKQ OF TRUMPS PARTNER WONT BID IT. 41. IF YOU MAY BE HAVING A MISUNDERSTANDING, DONT BID A GRAND. 42. IF YOURE NOT CERTAIN, DONT BID SEVEN. 43. THINK FOR YOURSELF DONT BE A PARROT OR A PUPPET. You cant win by following rules. But, this does not mean that you are free to step outside your partnership. Its a balancing act. Make your partnership rules and follow them, but remember to use your own brain. 44. PARTNER IS YOUR BEST FRIEND. You cant win without him. Treat him well - he doesnt play well if you dont. 45. KEEP AN OPEN MIND. Even the high and mighty may learn something from the most humble. 46. ITS ONLY A CARD GAME ITS NOT LIFE! BRIDGE JUDGMENT Judgment in bridge is nothing more than experience. Thats it! The more y ou play the more you learn to pay attention to certain warning signs and bell -ringers - the plus features and minus features of a bridge hand that tell us all, from novice to expert, when to bid more and when to stop bidding. The difference in judgment between the novice and the expert is simply the amount of experience he has had at the table. And of course, there is another important difference: the expert also pays attention to, and learns from, his experience. AJxx in RHOs suit may mean something qui te different to Giorgio Belladonna than it does to Mrs. Guggenheim. To the average bridge player it may seem almost miraculous that his expert opponents know when to stop in 3 making three, while his own teammates were in the normal 4 going one down when every card was wrong. And he wonders, How did they know to bid on to 5 over our 5 save? Our teammates were practical and took their plus score, but we lost 9 IMPs: -650 to +300. The expert player - the experienced player, the guy with the great judgment - is not a magician or a fortune-teller. He has simply learned to pay attention to what he hears and sees, and to add up the pluses and minuses of a hand and come up with an educated guess about which action will be right more often than wrong. EMOTIONS One reason why the expert has better judgment than the new player is that he is realistic and objective. He is emotionally detached from his decisions. He analyzes the clues available and makes a calculated, hopefully unemotional, decision. The less experienced player is often overly optimistic. And he is not always logical and unemotional. He wants to make 4, so he bids 4. Or perhaps he is a pessimist and worries too much about what will go wrong. Trumps may be 5-0 and he is so afraid of going for a number that he fails to press on with a normal, good offensive hand. Again, experience is the cure. As you play more hands you become more objective about, and detached from, your results. The cockeyed optimist gets tired of going down. He sees that it is his own fault and stops overbidding - because he wants to win more than he wants to make 4 . And the cautious pessimist sees that bad things dont happen so often, and that he is losing IMPs too often to the optimist. He learns to start bidding his cards. Each moves more toward the middle, toward more rational decisions. Judgment improves! FOUR HANDS - FIFTY-TWO CARDS Perhaps the major reason judgment is easier for the experienced player is that he is looking at the whole deal, not just at his own hand. And, in addition, he considers all of the pluses and minuses of the deal, not just one negative feature or one positive feature of his own hand. The new player has tunnel vision. He can only see his own hand. The more experienced player has given up tunnel vision in favor of paying attention to all four hands at all times. Hes expanded his vision and awareness to extend to every possible aspect of the deal. The more experienced the player the more likely he is to have a newspaper diagram of all four hands in his head from the moment the first bid is made. So how does the aspiring player learn to do this? THERE IS NO SHORTCUT. You must gain experience at the table in order to know what is going on around you, what your hand is worth, who has what, and who can take how many tricks. Consider that there is a vocabulary of only 17 words permitted to describe the hands. And, as if that werent difficult enough, you can see only 13 of the 52 cards. Its no wonder that many players who have played for a lifetime never learn to see the entire deal. Certainly, a player who has played bridge for 50 years is experienced. But he hasnt always had the kind of experience we are talking about. If you are serious about becoming a good player you have to make some effort along these lines. You must make your experience count. You have to put some real work into it. It does not come naturally to most of us. It is difficult at first to all but a very lucky few. The first step you can take in the direction of acquiring some bidding judgment is to develop the habit of constructing all of the hands as soon as the bidding starts. If you find this too difficult at first, then focus only on constructing your partners hand. When that becomes easy for you to do, work on constructing the opponents hands. If you know the distribution of all four hands you are much better placed to know how many tricks each side can take. Already, you have developed some judgment. Dont worry if you arent good at it at first. Just keep doing it and eventually (sooner than you think) you will find that it is quite an easy thing to do.

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CONSTRUCT THE HANDS. PLUSES AND MINUSES As weve seen, the short definition of bidding judgment is experience. The long definition might be as follows: Judgment at bridge is recognizing a hands plus features and negative features, weighing them all in the balance, and making an intelligent and informed conclusion about what tricks your side is likely to take, and what tricks the opponents are likely to take. In a nutshell, when a hand has a lot of pluses, you bid aggressively. This is usually easy to see, of course. Conversely, when a hand has a lot of minuses, you bid conservatively. This is not often difficult either. The truly difficult hands are those which have few of either, or some of each. Unfortunately, this is the case on most of the bridge deals you will see. There will be some pluses and some minuses, and it is often difficult to know which is most relevant or important at the moment. Only the experience of years at the table will help you balance the scales and make the right decision most of the time. But some careful thought about each of the plus and minus features of a deal, and its relative importance when examining the circumstances of a specific deal, wi ll help you to make better decisions starting now. So lets take a look at some of them. Youre probably familiar with many of these factors: Pluses When a hand contains two or three of the following features, it is probably a good hand, i.e. the deal lies well for your side. A larger portion of the Total Tricks will belong to your side. 1. The opponents are bidding your short suit(s). A singleton in the suit they are bidding to a high level is a great holding if you are thinking of bidding on yourself. I ts exactly one trick better than a doubleton. And a void is two tricks better! 2. Your short suits are being bid on your left, your long suits on your right. 3. Purity: Your honors are working - Aces and Kings in your suits, no Quacks in the opponents suits. 4. Good Fit. Remember the Law of Total Tricks. The more trumps we have between us the more tricks we can take. 5. Double Fit. There will be a lot of tricks available to both sides. 6. Fitting Honors in partners suits. Kx and Qx are worth far more than their hcp value. Compared to the same holding in LHOs suit, they may be more than doubled in value. 7. Length in RHOs suit. The hand lies well for you when your length is over RHOs length. You will be able to ruff losers in the dummy without fear of an overruff. 8. Good suits. Good suits mean lots of tricks if we are allowed to declare. 9. Good spot cards. T9876 . Grand slams have been made because declarer held the six-spot over his RHOs fivespot. They are much underrated by the average player - but, an 8 or 7 IS higher than a 5 or a 4, and will win the trick. You cannot win a trick on power with a deuce, trey or four-spot. 10. Good intermediates in your own suits (QJT9). Perhaps the most ignored, and underrated feature by the average player. QJT98 will ALWAYS take 3 tricks as a trump suit. AK432 can only guarantee two tricks. But, the average player will underbid the prior holding because he has only 3 points, and overbid the latter because he has 7, when the QJT98 holding makes for a considerably better hand. However, that said, dont overdo it. Take note that QJT98 opposite partners 765 has two definite losers; while AK432 opposite 765 may have only one loser. 11. Unbalanced Distribution - Long suits, singletons and voids. Two-suiters. When you see these things you know you have lots of tricks. 12. 4441. A better hand for NT than most people imagine. Why? You have 3 possible suits to develop. No other bridge hand has three potential sources of tricks. .When you see these factors in your favor on a deal you may bid a little more than usual. Perhaps a LOT more if you see a lot of pluses. But be wary. Some pluses do not necessarily mean that you should declare, but only that the hand lies well for your side. If they are bidding your long suits, a nd your hand is a PLUS hand, its very likely that youll want to get out your red cards (double) and get yourself a basket. Minuses The following factors are indications that the hand does not lie so well for your side. Your share of the total tricks may be less than your opponents share. 1. Three small cards in RHOs suit 2. Doubletons in suits bid by both opponents 3. Minor honors (quacks) in the opponents suits. Those Queens and Jacks are of little or no value on offense, and even on defense may prove to be useless. 4. Lack of spot cards. QJT9 will take 2 tricks on power. QJ32 may take none at all. 5. Flat distribution. 4x3 is the worst. No ruffing value. Only one long suit, i.e. only one source of tricks. 6. No five-card suit. No length tricks available. 7. Lack of Primes. When we have no Aces and Kings, whether we declare, or defend, we wont take so many tricks as our high-card points might suggest. Those tricks belong to the opponents. 8. No fit. We wont take as many tricks as we will with a good fit. If we suspect we have at best a 7-card fit, its a definite negative sign.

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9. Misfit. A big trouble sign. When you have a 5-5 hand, or a 6-5, and partner is bidding the other two suits, you know you may not take a lot of tricks, even when you have a lot of high-cards. 10. Bad Suits. QJT9876 is a certain 5 tricks when your suit is trumps. AQ5432 may take only two tricks on a really bad day. (Ive seen a hand where it took only one! ) But many players bid more with the second holding because it is 6 hcp, and underbid the first because it is only 3 points. 11. Bad Position. You have Kx in LHOs suit and xxx in RHOs suit. Its looking good for them and bad for us. Or perhaps, LHO is bidding your long suits, RHO is bidding your short suits. Your finesses wont work, theirs will. You wont make as many tricks as your high -cards may indicate. If you bid at the wrong moment you may very well be doubled, and the result will not be a pretty thing. 12. Opponents are Preempting. Things will not be breaking well. A good time to slow down the bidding. Good games and slams will go down. When you see one of these problems in your hand, bid a little less. When you see more than one of them on the same deal, you may bid a LOT less than you would normally. You are now exercising good judgment! So what it all boils down to is this: Good suits take tricks. Bad suits dont. Good fits take tricks. Misfits dont. Well-positioned honors take tricks. Under-their-suit honors dont. Prime cards take tricks. Queens and Jacks are questionable. Fitting honors in partners suits are gold. In their suit, they are paper. HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING

The following are some suggestions for ensuring that you and your team are playing at your best (i.e., winning). Theyve worked well for me and for others in the past.

PARTNERSHIP PLAY BY GENERAL PRINCIPLES. Make sure that you and your partner have developed good comprehensive general principles that you can fall back on when you encounter a new situation at the table (well discuss this in detail this week). Then follow them. SYSTEM NOTES. You probably have them, but they may need some work. The Partnership Questionnaires will help you with this. If you havent done so already, this is the time for you and partner to put your agreements into a notebook. Create even the sketchiest of notes. Then add to them as you go along. PLAY WITHIN YOUR PARTNERSHIP. Follow your partnership agreements at the table. Even if they seem silly to both of you at the time. You can change them later. IF ITS NOT IN THE NOTES, WE DONT PLAY IT! Following this simple rule is worth more than anyone can say. If it saves you even one accident in a long match, that may be the match! TEAM SPIRIT Playing as a team is the only possible way to win consistently. Be on side with one another and youll undoubtedly improve your results. Eat your meals together, spend time after the session socializing and drinking together, go sightseeing together. You are representing your country as a team. Make it count, and make it memorable. Have faith in your teammates theyre all fine players or they wouldnt be here now, would they? And theyre all doing the best they can. Each and everyone of them wants to win as badly as you do. Trust your teammates when youre sitting out. Dont forget to have sympathy for your teammates bad results. You will have many bad boards - each and every one of you (you too). Accept them and never, ever criticize. Celebrate the good moments, and let the bad ones go. There will be time enough later for discussion and improvement. You are a team. If you lose, you ALL lose. Its not one persons fault so dont cast blame.

RESPECT YOUR CAPTAIN. Hes there to make decisions that you are not prepared to m ake. You are there to play. You, or your organization, chose him as your captain because you trust his ability to make important decisions. Respect those decisions even when you disagree with him. Your captain is there to win too. Have faith in him - he wont let you down.

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HAVE A COACH Youll need someone onsite to research the opponents systems and help to prepare last minute defenses, copy convention cards, run out for missing notes, defenses, coffee, pens, lend a willing ear and a broad shoulder when things go badly, make dinner reservations, etc. This person may be your captain, a coach, a husband or wife anyone who is competent and knowledgeable, and is on your side and will want to do a good job for you. Its best if this entire job does NOT fall to your captain. He will have his hands full with meetings, committees, conditions of contest, determining which pairs will play best against which opponents, deciding who can defend best against the opponents systems, keeping up with who is playing well or fading, who is fresh and who needs to rest, etc. The more support you have in these trivial, but important, areas, the freer you will be to focus on playing well and winning.

PREPARATION YOURE GOING TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS! o Be sure that you know your notes. Go over the areas where you might be a little shaky, and review those obscure sequences which dont come up often. o Develop good solid partnership principles to fall back on in the heat of the battle. Be sure theyre clear and th at you both know them well. (Well be discussing this in detail during the training period.) o Practice bidding hands. Focus on areas where your partnership is weakest, and where youve had problems in the past. Also on areas where youve changed your system. o Do the Partnership Questionnaires with your partner. Dont worry if you dont finish them all. Just plod along and do what you feel you need or want to do. o Fine-tune your system look for weaknesses and gaps in your methods, and try to find solutions. (Bidding hands helps a lot with this. So will doing the questionnaires. Im willing to help if you need suggestions.) o Focus some serious energy on slambidding, there are a lot of IMPs at stake. (Ive provided 1000 hands if you need more, youre working too hard.) o Develop strategies with your partner and your team (when to be aggressive/conservative, when to swing, your general approach to slam bidding, pushy game-bidding, competing for part-scores, and when to change your normal approach. (Eric Kokish has some good advice in this area which Ill be providing for you.) o Be sure that you have good, simple defenses to the opponents conventions, and a sound general strategy for dealing with those systems/conventions which you might not have prepare d for. (Well be discussing this in detail) o Play practice matches with your team, followed by friendly, constructive team discussion and analysis of swings THE LAST WEEK o As the time for the big event draws near, your best preparation is to relax and unwind. Get a lot of sleep. Consider taking a holiday from bridge and work for the last day or so before you leave. Or make it part of your journey to the World Championships. o Dont Play Bridge. o Read prior World Championship books to get a headstart on getting your mind into the right gear for tough play. o Browse a good play book by Reese or Kelsey, to help ratchet your thinking back up to expert level. o Get there early, get settled in and acclimated to the time change, change in diet, etc. Do not arrive the day the event begins. It will cost you if you do. o Review your notes, in a relaxed and leisurely manner. Dont stress. o Whatever you do, dont revise the system. CONSERVE YOUR ENERGY. Its not party time. Of course, you want to have a good tim e its a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But, remember that you are there to win. Save the heavy partying for the victory banquet. Its not work time anymore. Your system is what it is. Dont study, dont change it, dont clarify it any further. Let it be. Eliminate all outside distractions. Clear the decks of all business and personal matters before you arrive at the tournament so that you are free to focus on the bridge. Dont bring your work with you. Dont allow yourself to become involved in rulings and committees and incidents. Thats your captains job. Your job is to play. If the conditions of play are not to your liking, live with it. You cant change it, but you can cost yoursel f important energy. Focus your energy where it belongs you will need it. Take care of yourself. Get some exercise whenever you can take a walk when youre sitting out. And dont eat big meals or drink more than a small amount of alcohol, even at the end of the days play. The effect is cumulative when you are trying to perform at your best for two weeks straight. Take care of yourself its worth a lot of IMPs. And try to sleep. (Yes, I know. Who sleeps?)

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 Dont discuss the hands with your partner, unless there is a system confusion which needs to be sorted ou t immediately, of course. Its a long event youll need every ounce of energy you have in the later rounds of the KO. Dont waste it playing the hands twice. QUALIFY Dont try to win the event in the Round Robin. If you play your normal steady game, r emembering that you are playing against the rest of the field at this stage, not just against the team you are facing at the moment, you will almost certainly qualify for the KO stages. The teams that try to win big risk losing. Those who sit tight and hang on will usually make it in. THE WEAK LINK Your team is only as good as its weakest link. He may be a weaker player, or perhaps hes just not as tough as the rest of the team, or perhaps hes less experienced. Take care of him. Get the best out of him. Support him. Never make any member of your team feel unwelcome in any way. Do not treat any member of your team badly for any reason. You are throwing IMPs out the window when you do. MORALE & MISTAKES Dont allow yourself to be demoralized by a terr ible result, a big loss or even (god forbid) a blitz. Everyone has bad sets. The eventual winners will get blitzed somewhere along the line. And everyone has a few really silly, awful, embarrassing (on-vugraph-for-the-world-to-see) results. If it was your teammates today, it may be you tomorrow or your opponents (they arent perfect either). Dont forget that everyone has great sets too. Take it one hand at a time its a long event. The team on the podium at the end of the event will not be the team that played perfectly. It will be the team that made the fewest mistakes. When you fall from grace, remind yourselves that with a little luck, and the right attitude, you will make fewer mistakes than the other guys. ITS A CARD GAME. Dont forget that, when all is said and done, bridge is a game. Winning isnt everything. Win or lose, you will never forget the moments when you represent your country in a World Championship. Enjoy them.

RULE OF TWO AND THREE Every now and then, you are not quite sure whether to bid or even bid One Level Higher than the opponents. Every now and then, you are not quite sure whether to sacrifice to obtain a better result than the previous table. Every now and then, you are not quite sure whether to preempt, attempting an Advanced Save. The Rule of Two and Three is sort of a guideline used in determining whether to make a preemptive bid, whether to overcall or overbid, whether to make that sacrifice, or simply pass. Using the numbers, a bridge player should be aware of the fact that he cannot afford to be set more than 500 points. This number is rather the magic boundary. If the opponents have game and they are not vulnerable, then the result equals minus 400-420 points for you. If the opponents are vulnerable, then the amount equals minus 600-620 points for you. - If you are not vulnerable, doubled, down two, then the result is minus 300 points for you. - If you are vulnerable, doubled, down two, then the result is minus 500 points. But, if you are not vulnerable, doubled, down three, then the result is minus 500 points for you. If you are vulnerable, doubled, down three, then the result is minus 800 points. Conclusion: taking the risk of being down two tricks, doubled, vulnerable, or taking the risk of being down three tricks, doubled, not vulnerable, is not all that bad. The guideline passes along the information that at a contract of 4 Hearts, the declarer should have 8 tricks if he is vulnerable, if this is clearly a preempt or sacrifice, and 7 tricks if he is not vulnerable. The position at the table should also be taken into consideration. With the Rule of Two and Three, there is very little mathematical calculation besides adding up quickly the different results very likely achieved according to vulnerability. As a bridge player, you are looking to achieve the best score, but there should be reasoning and logic and information behind your Preempt, Sacrifice, Advanced Save or Overcall. Please remember that the Rule of Two and Three apply only to the almost certain assumption that the opponents can bid game, not slam. Sacrificing against almost certain slams take on another form.

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RULE OF SEVEN The Rule of Seven was created and implemented separately by two individuals. One is Mr. Robert Berthe of France, who is a published author of bridge book(s). The other person to arrive at the Rule of Seven is Mr. Gerald Fox. These two bridge players were wondering if it would be preferable for the declarer to hold up an Ace. After establishing the question, they set about finding the answer. They arrived at the following conclusion. If the declarer substracts from 7 (seven) the total number of cards in the suit in his own hand and the dummy, the result is the number of times declarer should hold up with his Ace. An example always helps. declarer has A98 and the dummy has 42. Together declarer and dummy have 5 cards in this particular suit. Declarer substracts the number 5 from the number 7, and 2 (twice) is the number of times declarer should hold up with his Ace. RULE OF ELEVEN Ever since bridge became a popular game, players have been trying to come up with new ideas to improve the game. Some have succeeded and some have not succeeded very well. The bridge community is quite selective and sometimes a new idea takes a long time before becoming accepted. This is especially true if the new idea is based on mathmatics. Anyone who can count up to 13 can play bridge. There are 13 cards in every suit and once they are player, there are no more to be played. Here is another mathmematical calculation, equation, formula. Its application becomes active, only when you are absolutely sure that the lead is the fourth down from the suit lead. Once you have ascertained this possibility, then you start counting. This formula was divised by someone who was actually playing Whist at the time, Mr. Robert Foster in 1890, and also by Mr. Benecke of Oxford around the same time. Their Rule of Eleven states that you subtract the number of the card lead from the number 11, and then the result is the number of cards HIGHER contained in the hands of the Partner of the Leader and the Declarer and the Dummy. This information is useful not only to the declarer, but also to the Partner of the Leader, who can apply the same mathematical calculation. This information can be useful in deciding to play which card, either from the hand of the Partner of the Leader, or the hand of the declarer or from dummy. RULE OF TWELVE Similar to the Rule of Eleven, which may determine the play of a card after realizing that the lead card is the FOURTH HIGHEST card, the Rule of Twelve is a mathematical calculation used after realizing that the lead card is the THIRD HIGHEST card. The Rule of Twelve states that the player subtract the number of the card from the number 12, and the result obtained is the number of HIGHER cards than the one led IN ALL OF THE OTHER THREE HANDS. RULE OF FIFTEEN The Rule of Fifteen is not a mathematical calculation, but rather a General Rule of Thumb. Not everything about the game of bridge falls within the realm of calculations and mathematics. Sometimes you just have to apply logic and reasoning based upon certain information and practiced guidelines. Simply stated, the Rule of Fifteen allows the bridge player in the Fourth Seat, after three passes, to determine whether or not he should open the bidding. The Rule of Fifteen states that the Fourth Hand should open the auction if the number of High Card Points and the number of SPADES equal 15 or more. These points are also called Pearson Points. The logic and reasoning behind the Rule of Fifteen considers the proposition that the High Card Points are very likely evenly divided between the two partnerships. Therefore, Fourth Seat should open only with a Spade suit, thereby declaring that he does have the boss suit. Possessing the Spade suit almost assures the partnership against intervention from the opponents. The Rule of Fifteen can be used effectively, but should be adhered to. If Fourth Seat has less than 15, after adding the High Card Points and the number of Spades, then Fourth Seat should pass. RULE OF EIGHTEEN The Rule of Eighteen is a rule employed by the World Bridge Federation to define the boundary between light opening bids and Highly Unusual Methods, known as HUM, in which bad hands are regularly opened. There is a mathematical calculation involved. If the number of High Card Points added to the total of the two longest suits totals 18, the bid is acceptable. The player who decides to open a hand containing only 10 High Card Points bases his decision to open on the length of his suit-distribution of his hand. For example: if the player's distribution is 3-2-4-4 and the player has 10 High Card Points, the 10 is added to the 4-4 (his two longest suits) and the number is 18. His opening then becomes acceptable. If the distribution of the player is 5-5-2-1, and the player only has 8 High Card Points, the player calculates 10 for the two longest suits and adds 8 High Card Points and the result is 18. The player decides to open the bidding. But take the distribution 5-5-2-1 which equals 10 for the two longest suits and the player discovers 9 High Card Points in his hand. The result is 19, and opening the bidding would not be accepted. As stated above, the Rule of Eighteen has been established to define the boundary between light opening bids and Highly Unusual Methods.

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RULE OF 9s AND 10s The origin of this rule has been lost in bridge history and can not longer be attributed to any one bridge player or bridge author. It simple developed as a method and was included in partnership agreements as a form of defense. It is sometimes referred to as Coded 9s and 10s. The distinction is that the Rule of 9s and 10s is used generally as a defense against No Trump contracts, not against suit contracts. The partnership agreement, however, can include both applications. The application is also used only on the first lead, and not for any ensuing lead for any later trick. The concept is that if you lead the 9 spot, then you promise 0 or 2 higher cards. If the lead is a 10 spot, then the lead also promises either 0 or 2 higher cards. Against No Trump contracts, this method of leading can communicate information to your partner. Q1098 The final contract is No Trump and you are on lead. Applying the Rule of 9s and 10s, you would lead the 9 spot, promising 0 or 2 higher cards. 986 The final contract is No Trump and you are on lead. Applying the Rule of 9s and 10s, you would lead the 9 spot, promising 0 or 2 higher cards. KJ109 The final contract is No Trump and you are on lead. Applying the Rule of 9s and 10s, you would lead the 10 spot, promising 0 or 2 higher cards. 1096 The final contract is No Trump and you are on lead. Applying the Rule of 9s and 10s, you would lead the 10 spot, promising 0 or 2 higher cards. If you wish to employ the Rule of 9s and 10s in your partnership agreement, then please, as is customary and mandatory, make this information available to your opponents in the proper manner. RULE OF NINETEEN The Rule of Nineteen is a rule employed by the bridge players in England to satisfy the requirements of the World Bridge Federation to define the boundary between light opening bids and Highly Unusual Methods, known as HUM, in which bad hands are regularly opened. There is a mathematical calculation involved. If the number of High Card Points added to the total of the two longest suits totals 19, the bid is acceptable within the English bridge tournaments. This is just 1 point higher than the lower limit established by the World Bridge Federation. The player who decides to open a hand containing only 10 High Card Points bases his decision to open on the length of his suit-distribution of his hand. For example: if the player's distribution is 3-2-4-4 and the player has 11 High Card Points, the 11 is added to the 4-4 (his two longest suits) and the number is 19. The opening then becomes acceptable. If the distribution of the player is 5-5-2-1, and the player only has 8 High Card Points, the player calculates 10 for the two longest suits and adds 8 High Card Points and the result is 18. The bridge player in Enland playing at tournaments and/or in bridge clubs should not open the auction. But take the distribution 5-5-2-1 which equals 10 for the two longest suits and the player discovers 9 High Card Points in his hand. The result is 19, and the act of opening the auction would be accepted. As stated above, the Rule of Nineteen has been established to define the boundary between light opening bids and Highly Unusual Methods. RULE OF TWENTY-TWO Similar to the Rule of Eighteen, the Rule of Twenty-Two is based on the number 22. This rule is mostly used by those players who open light, and who must make a decision as to whether to open at all. This decision, as it turns out, can have the number 22 as its foundation. The Bridge Player, who decides to open light, counts the length of the two LONGEST SUITS and adds that total to the number of High Card Points. If the combined result is 22 or more, then the player should open the hand. Two other Guidelines: 1. Never open with 19 or less total count 2. With 20-21 total points, the hand must have 2 defensive tricks If we take a closer look at the two longest suits, we discover that the distribution of 4-3-4-2 is the same as 4-4-1-4, the distribution of 5-2-5-1 is the same as 5-5-3-0, and so on. Is this an advantage or disadvantage? Should one take into consideration the advantage of a void or a singleton? Would it be better if the two longest suits were the Majors as opposed to being the Minors?

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In any case, however you answer the questions, if you decide to make this or any other Rule a part of your Auction Procedure, please make it a part also of your written Partnership Agreement.

The 'Box' Principle

by Mike Lawrence In my book on Hand Evaluation, I introduce many concepts on how you should look at a hand. Most of the thoughts in this book will not be useful to you until you have more experience. There is one principle which you should be acquainted with at an early stage. It is known as the 'Box' principle. It works simply. When partner asks you if you have a good enough hand to go on to game, you just ask yourself the following question. 'How much have I already shown partner?' If you have a maximum hand relative to this question, you bid a game. If you have a minimum hand relative to this question, you refuse. Some examples, West 1NT ? West 1 3 East 2NT Partner is asking you if you have a maximum notrump or a minimum notrump. If your range is 15-17, you should bid game with the better sixteen point hands and all of the 17 point hands. The idea is that your first bid said your hand came out of the box of hands containing nothing but 15-17 balanced hands. On this auction, your 2S bid said your hand came out of the box of hands having three or more spades and six to nine support points. If you have eight or nine points, you bid game. If you have six or seven points, you decline.

East 2 ?

NOTE that your 'Box' was different on these two auctions. NOTE that on both of these auctions, your hand has been well described. Partner knows your range of points. NOTE also that once you have told partner about your 'Box', you

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can't later tell partner that you were really kidding. For instance, if you open 1C and rebid 1NT, partner will play you for 12-14 points. You will not be able to tell him you really had 17 points all the time. This 'Box' principle works with little hands and with big hands. As long as you have limited your hand to a small range of points, you can always answer the question, 'How good is your hand considering what you have promised so far?' West East 2 2 3NT 4NT Let's say that your 3NT bid showed 26 or 27 points. Different partnerships play slightly different ranges for some higher notrump bids so we need this one defined for our example. East's raise to 4NT asks if you have a maximum hand. Well, here it is. What do you think you would do? Since partner already knows you have 26-27 points, this hand, as good as it is, is not worth going to QJ2 slam. Your 'Box' is 26-27 points and you have a minimum. You don't even have a five card suit to use A32 as an excuse. AKQ Partner might have his points in the right place to let you make six, but more likely, he will not. AKQJ He could have any of these hands: K83 K1075 984 1083 A943 J964 J106 83 1097 KQ85 10875 J7

When you can use point count bidding, it is accurate and should be respected. Usually, it will work for you when you are bidding notrump contracts and both partners have balanced hands. It happens here are as often is the case, it works. And finally, East West North East South J9863 1 Pass Pass 1 10763 Dble Pass 1 Pass 83 3 Pass ? Q6 What should East bid? East should go to 4 . East told West that he had 0-5 points when he passed 1 . West came back in with a takeout double and East bid his spade suit. West then asked East 'I know you have 0-5 points. Given this, I am still interested in game. Do you have a good 0-5 or do you have a poor 0-5 points?' East has three high cards, a fifth spade, and a doubleton diamond. In support of spades, East has closer to seven points than to three. Bid 4 with absolute assurance. It is more likely that you will make five or six spades than that you will go down in four.

THE LAW OF TOTAL TRICKS

Jean-Ren Vernes article The Law of Total Tricks was published in the June, 1969, issue of The Bridge World. It caused scarcely a ripple among bridge players until the exposition of the Law in To Bid or Not To Bid by Larry Cohen in 1992. Vernes expressed his law as follows: The number of Total Tricks in a hand is approximately equal to the total number of trumps held by both sides, each in its respective suit. Thus, if N-S hold nine spades and E-W have nine hearts, the total number of trumps is 18. If you add the tricks made by N-S in a spade contract to those by E-W in hearts, the total should also be 18. The assumption is best play by both sides. This does not mean that each side will make nine tricks, although that is quite likely if the points held by each side are roughly equal. The law is still satisfied if one side makes ten tricks and the other makes eight, since the total remains at 18. Even eleven tricks one way and seven the other validate the law, though such variance is unusual unless there is great disparity in the high card strength. The 1969 article estimated that the law exactly reflected the outcome about 50% of the time and was accurate within one trick about 90% of the time.

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Knowledge of the law, its applications and its ramifications will enable you to judge competitive auctions more accurately and can improve your bidding style. It will tell you when to bid on, how high to bid and when to defend. This flipper shows how the Law works and how you can apply it. It is not difficult to know the number of trumps held by your side. That is often enough to indicate your best move. Surprisingly, it is also not too hard to estimate the number of trumps held by the opponents. This flipper provides guides to assist you. It is no idle claim that an average pair who follow the Law will have better results in competitive auctions than an expert pair unaware of the Law. This Fast Fact Finder does not replace studying the comprehensive book on the Law, To Bid Or Not To Bid by Larry Cohen (1993, Master Bridge Series). 1. 16 TRUMPS AT THE 2-LEVEL West 1 Pass North 1 Pass East 2 ? South 2

In this auction each side has at least 8 trumps. When total trumps = 16, it is almost never right to sell out at the twolevel. East should compete to 3 regardless of strength. With 16 trumps, total tricks = 16. If each side can make 8 tricks, then passing 2 = 50 (or 100 if vulnerable). By bidding 3 , the loss is reduced. = 110 for E-W, while bidding 3

If N-S make only 7 tricks in 2 , then total tricks 16 means that E-W should make 9 tricks in hearts. Passing 2 = +50 (or +100 if N-S are vulnerable). Bidding 3 = +140 and increases your score. There are five reasonable scenarios after 3 is bid: 1. 3 makes: E-W +140 2. 3 is one down: E-W 50 / 100 3. N-S bid 3 , one down E-W +50 / +100 4. N-S bid 3 and make E-W 140 5. 3 is a disaster E-W 200 or more. Assuming 110 in 2 , 3 gains in #s 1-3, breaks even in #4 and loses in #5. 60% gain, 20% same result, 20% loss (but #5 is the least likely, around 10%). 2. ACTION AT THE 2-LEVEL West Pass Pass North 1 Pass East Pass ? South 2

When one side has 8 trumps, the other side is very likely to have an 8+ fit somewhere. As N-S have at least 8 spades, E-W probably have an 8-card fit. If total trumps are 16, do not sell out at the 2-level. Rule of 3-over-2: If the opponents bid and raise a suit but they stop at the two-level, be anxious to compete in the pass-out seat. Follow this rule and you figure to be right more than 80% of the time. Do not expect perfection. Do not be deterred by the vulnerability or by the fact that partner is a passed hand. When not in the auction early, you have three types of belated action to find the right trump suit: Delayed overcall: Expectancy for this is a 5+ suit, usually a poor suit because of the failure to overcall on the first round. An overcall at the 2-level may be made on a good 4-card suit if double is unsuitable. Delayed double: Strength will be below a first round double but shape should include shortage in their suit and normally 3+ support for unbid suits. In reply to the delayed double, 2NT shows a hand playable in at least two suits and asks the doubler to choose a trump suit. Delayed 2NT: This is taken as both minors, at least a 4-4 pattern. If it is a 5-5 pattern, the suits will be poor (failure to bid 2NT on the first round).

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Bidding in the direct seat: West 1 North Pass East 2 South ?

It is not nearly as safe to bid in the direct seat. In the pass-out seat, you can be confident that the opponents have about 19-22 HCP and so your side has about the same. If you are in the direct seat, LHO may have a strong hand. In the above auction, West may be about to bid game or invite game. A bid in the direct seat is usually taken as having full value. Nevertheless, if you are short in their suit, it pays you to take action in the direct seat. Double with about 9+ HCP and classical shape (4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0), overcall with a strong suit or bid 2NT for the minors. This is known as pre-balancing. If you fail to act when you are short in their suit, partner may well pass it out with length in their suit. After a 1NT opening and a weakness takeout: West North 1NT If 2 Pass

East 2

South ...

is natural and weak, both South and North should be anxious to bid with fewer than 3 spades.

After a 1NT opening and a weak transfer: West 1NT 2

North Pass Pass

East 2 Pass

South Pass ?

Treat the auction as 1 : Pass: 2 : Pass, Pass to you and be anxious to compete if short in spades. It is not safe for North to act, as East can be very strong. When not to compete at the two-level: 1. They may have only a 7-card fit, or worse. 2. The opponents are notorious underbidders. 3. Opener tranced for some time before passing. 4. At teams when your hand pattern is 4-3-3-3. 3. 17 TOTAL TRUMPS West 1 3 North 1 ? East 2 South 2

Once the opponents have bid to the 3-level, the question will be whether to bid further. Where your suit is higherranking than theirs, you can outbid them at the 3-level. In the above auction North has to decide whether to bid 3 and if it goes pass, pass, South has a similar decision. With 16 total trumps, never bid 3-over-3. With 17 total trumps, do bid 3-over-3. With 18 total trumps, always bid 3-over-3. Practical approach: With eight trumps, defend at the 3-level. With nine trumps, bid 3-over-3. In the above auction, expectancy is 5 spades for North and 3 for South. North should bid 3 with 6 spades and pass with 5. If North passes, South should pass with 3 spades, bid 3 with 4 spades. If the bidding is at the 3-level and your side has only 8 trumps, the total trumps might be 16. If the 16 total tricks divide 8-8, neither side will succeed at the 3-level. Let them fail. Why should you? If the 16 total tricks divide 9-7, then if you can make 3, they should be two down, while if they can make 3, you will be two down. When vulnerable, it certainly does not pay to act counter to this rule. Not vulnerable, it usually still pays to follow it. If your side has 9 trumps, then they must have an 8-card fit and total trumps must be at least 17 . With only 4 cards in your suit, they have 22 cards left. With two 7-card fits, they must have 8 cards in the remaining suit. So, 17 total trumps. 17 trumps, 17 tricks. These usually split 9-8 and one side makes 9 tricks. If you can make 9 tricks, bidding 3-

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over-3 is better than taking them one off. If they can make 9 tricks, better to bid over them and go one off than to let them make their contract.

4. PRACTICAL STRATEGY West J7532 85 J8743 6 West ? North East 3 South Pass

What action should West take? When your side has 10 trumps, the total trick count is at least 19. With 3 cards in your suit, they have 23 cards left. If they have two 7-card fits, the rest is a 9-card fit. With only one 7-card fit, their remaining 16 cards will include either a 9+ fit or two 8-card fits. A double fit (two 8+ suits) is worth an extra trick (see Adjustments To The Law) and so one way or another, they can be taken for 9 trumps. If total trumps = 19, then total tricks = 19. On the hand above, if playing 5-card majors, West should jump to 4 despite the meagre point count. With 19 total tricks, if your side can make 10 tricks, 4 will be fine. If 4 makes only 9 tricks, then they can make 10 tricks in their suit, perhaps 4 . If their suit is clubs, maybe they can make 56, or perhaps 56 is a good sacrifice when 4 is making. If allowed to play in 4 above, you will almost always be in front whether 4 makes or fails. In competitive auctions, always bid to the trick level equal to the number of trumps held by your side. With 9 trumps, do not sell out below 9 tricks. With 10 trumps, be prepared to bid for 10 tricks, and so on. You will not always win but you will be right so often that the gains will far outweigh the losses. If you follow this approach, you will be protected by the Law. If you fail at your correct trick level, then your loss will usually be less than what they would have scored in their best contract. Corollary: Beware of bidding beyond the level equal to the number of your trumps unless you have extra high card strength or exceptional distribution or you judge that a sacrifice will be worthwhile. To make more tricks, you need extra strength or extra trumps. Do not be pushed into overbidding out of pique. Pass (or double) and defend. 4-over-3 rule: On a partscore hand, do not compete to the 4-level unless your side has 10+ trumps.

5. THE RIGHT LEVEL (1) Winning Strategy: It pays to reach your trick level as quickly as possible. The higher you bid at once, the harder it is for the opponents to judge what to do. The stronger your opponents, the more important it is to reach your correct trick level quickly. Weak opponents may sell out at the 2-level. Strong opponents will not. It is therefore sensible to play methods which enable you to locate quickly the number of trumps held by your side and to reach the right level at once. 5-card majors: Playing 4-card majors with 3-card raises for 1 and 1 trumps held by your side. Playing 5-card majors makes it much easier. makes it tough to be sure of the number of

One of the best structures for supporting opener and following the Law when playing 5-card majors is: Bergen Raises 1 1 1 1 1 1 :3 :4 :2 :3 :3 : 2NT or 1 or 1 or 1 or 1 or 1 or 1 :3 :4 :2 :3 :3 : 2NT = 0-5 points, = 0-9 points, = 6-9 points, = 6-9 points, = 10-12 points, = 13+ points, 4-card support 5+ support 3-card support 4-card support 4+ support 4+ support

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With only eight trumps, you need not bid beyond the 2-level. With 9 trumps, you commit yourself to the 3-level whether you are weak or strong. Do not be frightened to use the 3-level pre-emptive raise on filth. The Law will protect you. QJ63 Dlr: West A 2 Vul: Nil J963 Q87 10 8 7 4 952 KQJ84 10 9 7 3 AK 74 95 J 10 3 2 AK 65 Q 10 8 5 2 AK64 West opens 1 , North passes and East jumps to 3 , Bergen. N-S can make 5 but after this start, do you think they will find that? E-W are two off in 3 but can N-S double this for penalties? Note that there are 18 total trumps and 18 total tricks. 6. THE RIGHT LEVEL (2) After 1NT and partners transfer to a major: In a weak field, you can simply accept the transfer, even with four trumps. Weak opponents are less likely to compete. In strong company it pays you to bid to your right level quickly. The transfer shows a 5+ suit and if you hold 4-card support, your right spot is the 3-level. After 1NT - 2 (transfer to hearts): 2 = 2-3 card support for hearts 3 = 4-card support and minimum values. Partner can pass, bid game or make a slam move. All other bids below 3 = 4-card support and maximum values (the usual super-accept hand). Opener rebids in similar style after the 1NT : 2 transfer to spades. If the transfer bid is doubled, pass = 2 cards only in responders suit, 2-Major = 3-card support and other bids show 4-card support as above. If opener passes, redouble by responder asks opener to take the transfer anyway. Raising openers minor: Since no competent opponents will let you play in 2-minor after a simple raise, the modern duplicate trend is to play the single raise as forcing: 1 : 2 or 1 : 2 = 10+ points, one round force How then to play the raise to 3-minor? Simplest is :1

= 6-9 points + support. You are expected to pass 1 or 1 if below 6 points. A more aggressive style is to play : 1 : 3 or 1 : 3 = 0-6 points + support You need to agree on how to deal with 7-9 point hands with support. One option is 2NT with good support, 1NT with minimal support. Support Doubles: Since following the Law depends on knowing the number of trumps held by your side, it is not attractive to have any ambiguity here. A common problem is supporting responder after an overcall: West North East South 1 1 2 ? Obviously you would bid 2 with 4-card support and minimum values, but it can also be sensible to give 3-card support. If 2 can be 3-card or 4-card support, responder may have to guess whether to bid 3-over-3 if the opponents compete to 3 . To solve this, 2 = 4-card support and minimum, double = 3-card support, any strength. Support doubles apply only after a 1-level major suit response. Support Redoubles: Had South doubled 1 above, redouble = 3-card support and any strength. 7. THE RIGHT LEVEL (3)

:3

or 1

:3

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Supporting partners overcall: West North East South 1 1 Pass ? With 3-card support and modest values, raise to 2 . With 3-card support and a strong hand, start by bidding 2 , their suit. With 4-card support for the expected 5+ overcall, your correct level is at least nine tricks: With 4-card support and a poor hand (0-6 points), jump to 3 (pre-emptive). With 4-card support and a reasonable 7-10 points, jump to 3 . If even stronger, start with 2 Fit-showing jumps: West North East South 1 Dble 3 * *FIT: 5+ clubs and 4 hearts, 6+ points

Fit-showing jumps assist in deciding whether a double fit exists. Fit-showing jumps are commonly used by a passed hand OR after an overcall OR after an opponents takeout double. After partners takeout double and a redouble or a 1NT bid by responder, advancers 3-level jump shows a 6-card suit and weakness. As the doubler is expected to hold 3+ support, the 3-level jump obeys the Law: With 9 trumps, bid for 9 tricks.

Pre-emptive jumps: West North 1 Dble

East Rdbl

South 3

Owning the spades: Dlr: West Vul: Both 10 7 K Q 10 7 3 764 K J 10 AJ63 65 KQJ2 985 KQ42 J42 A83 642 985 A98 10 9 5 AQ73 West Pass 1 North Pass Dble East Pass 2 South 1 2

Owning the spades is a huge edge in competitive auctions. When deciding whether to open in 4th seat, add your HCP and the number of spades. If the answer is 15 or more, open. If below 15, pass. On the deal above N-S arrive in 2 and E-W need to bid 3 one down for their best result. Interchange the major suits and South should pass in 4th seat, else E-W reach 2 and N-S need to bid 3 one off. 8. COMPETING OVER THEIR 1NT When you have a 2-suited or 3-suited hand, the chances are excellent that your side has an 8+ fit somewhere. The key is to find your best fit. Over their 1NT, it is more important to be able to show your 2-suiters than your 1-suiters. Two effective methods are D.O.N.T. and RCOs. D.O.N.T. = Disturbing Opponents No-Trump 1. Double shows a 1-suited hand. With a weak hand, advancer bids 2 . The doubler passes with clubs or bids the suit held. Bidding 2 or higher indicates that the advancer is prepared to play in the suit bid or reach the 3-level if the doubler has a lower-ranking suit. In other words, advancer will have 3+ cards in the suits bypassed.With a good hand, particularly with honours in every suit, advancer may leave the double in. 2. 2 shows clubs and a higher suit. Advancer may pass this with tolerance to clubs. With a club shortage, advancer bids 2 . Partner passes if the second suit is diamonds, else bids the major held. 3. 2 shows diamonds + a major, denies clubs. 4. 2 shows both majors, denies a 4+ minor. 5. 2 shows spades but a more shapely hand than the double with a 1-suiter in spades.

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D.O.N.T. allows you to find a fit at the 2-level. The major drawback is that you may settle for a fit in the first suit shown when there is a better fit in partners other suit. For example you might pass 2 with a 4-4-2-3 pattern and miss a 5-4 major fit. RCOs = Rank Colour Odd This method allows you to show all combinations of two-suiters but may take you to the 3-level. RCOs Type A: 1. 2 and higher suit bids show 1-suiters 2. 2 = 2 suits same rank (minors or majors). The advancer is allowed to pass if this seems best; if not, 2 shows preference for diamonds (partner then bids 2 with the majors) or bids the preferred major if prepared to reach 3 or 3 . 3. 2 = 2 suits same colour (reds or blacks). The advancer is allowed to pass. Else bids 2 with heart tolerance (partner removes to 2 with the blacks) or 2 / 3 , the preferred black suit, if prepared to reach 3 or 3 . 4. Double of a strong 1NT = Diamonds + spades OR hearts + clubs. After advancer bids a suit, doubler may pass or show the other combination. 5. Double of a weak 1NT is for penalties and 2NT over their 1NT shows the odd suits. RCOs Type B: This works well if you are prepared to give up the penalty double. 1. Double shows a 1-suiter, as in DONT (see above). 2. 2 and 2 show Rank and Colour as above. 3. 2 = Hearts + clubs 4. 2 = Spades + diamonds This enables you to play at the 2-level more often. Whether playing type A or B, 2NT by advancer is strong and asks partner to identify the suits: bid the cheaper if minimum, the higher-ranking if maximum. 9. BIDDING AFTER PRE-EMPTS After partners weak two: If this promises a 6-suit, bid game with 4 trumps, even if your hand is weak. With ten trumps bid for ten tricks. With a weak hand and 5+ support, try a psyche, e.g., 2 Pass 3 . . . or 2 Pass 4NT, Blackwood. You must do something to try to prevent the opponents finding their best fit. Over partners 3-opening: Opposite a 7-suit, raise with any weak hand and 3 trumps. If a 3-opening is often made with a 6-card suit, you need 4 trumps to raise with a weak hand.

Over their weak two: Double is for takeout but it is worth being able to show extreme two-suiters more precisely: 2 :3 = Michaels, 5 spades and a 5-minor. As you can bail out at the 3-level, a 6-loser hand is suitable. You may also do it with a strong hand, intending to bid again (raise 3 to 4 with 4 losers; bid 4 over 3 with 3 losers). If partner jumps to game over 3 , slam is likely if you hold 3/4 losers. 2 : 4 /4 = 5+ in the minor bid and 5 spades and a 5-loser hand. Partner may pass, bid game or, as your losers are known, judge slam potential. 2 :4 / = 5+ in the minor bid and 5 hearts and a 5-loser hand. Similar to the above. 2 :3 = Michaels (5+ hearts and a 5+ minor) with 4 losers or better. With this shape and 6 losers, prefer to bid 3 over 2 . 2 /2 : 4NT = At least 5-5 in the minors, 4 losers. 2M : 4M = At least 5-5 in the minors and 2/3 losers; strong slam potential. After their 3-level pre-empt: Double is for takeout. W N E S 3 Double Pass 4 = this shows a two-suiter and asks the doubler to choose a suit. 3 Double Pass 4 = both minors. Advancer would choose 4 rather than a minor in this situation. 3m 4m = at least 5-5 in the majors. Expected strength is 5-losers as it is normal to play partner for two tricks after they pre-empt. 3 4 = Michaels, 5 spades and a 5+ minor. Again a 5-loser hand is a

85

4NT

reasonable minimum. = Both minors, at least 5-5. For a sound 4NT, a 4-loser hand would be appropriate.

Over their other pre-emptive actions: After any pre-emptive bid by the opponents, whether it is an opening bid, an overcall or a raise it is sensible to play double for takeout. This is best on frequency since you are more likely to pick up a hand short in their suit than one with length + strength in their suit. Double in each of these auctions is best played as takeout: W N E S 1 Pass 3/4 Double 1 Pass 3/4 Double Pass Pass 3M Double Pass Pass 4M Double 1m Pass 3M Double 1m Pass 4M Double Some play doubles in these last two auctions as just card-showing but takeout is superior. Partner can expect a hand which is short in their suit and has support for the unbid suits. With no decent suit to bid, partner is permitted to leave a double in at a high level. In reply to a double of 4 , 4NT shows at least two playable suits.

10. HIGH LEVEL DECISIONS When they bid to the 4- or 5-level and both sides have a trump fit, apply the Law. This will lead to the winning decision most of the time. You need to judge the number of trumps for each side. Below 18 trumps: Do not outbid them at the 4-level. 18 trumps: It will usually be right to bid 4 over 4 . You lose when each side makes 9 tricks but gain if either side makes 10 (except perhaps at unfavourable vulnerability). When there are only 18 trumps, do not compete at the 5level. When in doubt, bidding 4 over 4 is a long-term winning approach when you judge there are 18 trumps. Not only do you gain when either side can make ten tricks, but you can gain heavily when they misjudge and push on to 5 . 19 trumps: Do outbid them at the 4-level. This is right if either side can make 10 tricks and the other makes 9. It will also work if one side makes 11 tricks and the other makes 8. 5-over-4? At favourable vulnerability, it will be right to bid five over their four: you lose if the tricks split 10-9 but gain if they divide 11-8. At any other vulnerability, bidding 5-over-4 is a losing decision with 19 trumps. 5-over-5? To bid 5over-5 with 19 trumps is wrong: if you can make 11 tricks, they make only 8. Prefer to double or to pass partners takeout double. 20 trumps or more: Always bid 4-over-4 or 5-over-4. Bidding 5-over-5 will usually be right, unless the tricks split 1010, and figures to be the winning move with 21 trumps or more. Since the situations where there are more than 20 trumps are rare (one side has a 10+ fit and the other has an 11+ fit), prefer to defend at the 5-level. Judging the number of trumps: 1. If the opponents bid to the 4-level, assume that they have at least 9 trumps. 2. If the opponents bid to the 5-level, assume that they have at least 10 trumps. 3. Assume that an opponent who pre-empts at the 4-level has at least 7 trumps. Add on the number of cards you hold in the pre-empt suit and divide the remaining cards in that suit equally between the other two players. For example, suppose the bidding has been: W N E S Pass 1 4 ? What should you do with: Q 9 A 10 7 4 K J 9 6 7 3 2 ? Facing a passed partner West is likely to have 8 spades, perhaps 7. You have two. The missing spades are likely to be 2-1 (maybe 2-2). They have 9-10 spades, you have 8 diamonds. That makes total tricks 18. It is not right, even at favourable vulnerability, to sacrifice with only 18

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total trumps. If they can make 4 , you are 3 off in 5 whether to pass or remove the double.

doubled.Prefer to double (for takeout). Partner can decide

4. Assume that partner in making a takeout double at the 4-level or higher is 4-4-4-1. Judge the number of trumps that each side has on that basis. Add on an extra trick if there is a double fit. Of course partner will not always be 4-44-1 but this is a good, practical working guide. For example, after W N E S 1 4 Double Pass you would pass with 7 5 3 A K 6 3 A J 7 5 J 8. Opposite a 4-4-4-1, they have 9 trumps, you have 9 (allowing one extra trick for a double fit in the reds). Do not bid 5-over-4 with only 18 trumps (and partner might have 2 spades or only 3 diamonds!). 11. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE LAW From time to time, you will find that the Law is out by a trick. This is no calamity and you will still do well to follow the Laws principles, since your estimate of the total trumps will not always be perfect. In general, the Law is most accurate at the 2-level and 3-level. The higher the level, the greater the variation tends to be. There are several reasons for this. If you recognise that any of the following factors are present and adjust your assessment accordingly, you will produce a more accurate estimate of the tricks available. 1. Upgrade your hand by one trick if you have a void in their suit. Take a look at this hand: Q J 10 4 2 J42 AK4 95 K6 3 KQ9863 A 10 J 10 986532 J63 AKQ2 A9875 75 Q7 10 8 7 4 N-S have 10 spades, E-W have 8 hearts, so total tricks should be 18. N-S make 8 tricks, E-W make 10 tricks. All is well. Now, swap Es 3 for Wests 3, giving East a spade void and A-K-Q-3-2. N-S still make only 8 tricks, but E-W can make 11. The void in the enemy suit has allowed E-W to make an extra trick without affecting the N-S tricks. Upgrading for a void is particularly important in making successful decisions at the 4- and 5-level. 2. Upgrade your hand by one trick if you can tell that your side has a double fit. Having a second suit with 8+ cards in the two hands provides potential for extra tricks. 642 93 AKQ6 J874 Q J 10 AK953 A92 87 We have 8 hearts, they have 8 spades. 16 tricks expected. We can take at most 5 tricks against their spade contract, giving them 8 tricks, but we can make 10 tricks in hearts (11 if hearts are 3-2). Part of the explanation for this wide variation is that both sides have a double fit. 3. Upgrade your hand by at least one trick if you have a source of tricks outside trumps. Suits such as A-K-Q-x-x, or A-K-x-x-x-x with enough entries, can provide discards for partners losers. A secondary source of tricks is as good as a double fit if the opponents cannot score their tricks quickly. 4. Upgrade your hand if you have freakish distribution. 6-5, 7-4 and wilder patterns tend to take more tricks than the loser count or the Law suggests. Be prepared to bid more with exceptional shape. 5. Downgrade the total trick count with secondary honours such as J-x, J-x-x, Q-x and Q-x-x in their suit. 872 J6 K43

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A Q 10 9 5 N-S lose a trick in this suit and E-W lose two tricks. Swap the J-6 and the K-4-3 and N-S still lose one trick but E-W lose only one trick. The reason? The J in defence. Swap the J for the 8, say, and the total trick count in this suit remains constant: E-W lose two tricks if the K is with East, or each side loses one trick if the K is with West. 12. A Quiz on The Law of Total Tricks 1. Teams : Dealer East : Both vulnerable South West North East South AK7 1 1NT AK9 Dble 3 * Pass Pass J8743 4 Pass Pass ? 10 5 *6-card suit, pre-emptive What action should South take?The deal arose in quarter-finals of the 1991 Bermuda Bowl (world open teams championship). South should reason that N-S have 9 spades and as E-W have at most 9 hearts (N would have bid 4 with six spades and a heart void), total trumps = 17/18, and so total tricks = 18 at most. If 4 is making, 4 two off doubled will cost 500. This possible gain of 3 Imps is greatly outweighed by the possibility that both sides make only 9 tricks. South should pass (or double) and defend. The deal: QJ8643 84 K6 643 10 9 5 Q J 10 7 6 5 Q KJ2 AK7 AK9 J8743 10 5 2 32 A 10 9 5 2 AQ987

South bid 4 , West doubled and the result was one down, 200. 4 goes two down. Note: E-W had only 8 hearts. Total trumps: 17. Total tricks: 17.

2. Teams : Dealer North : N-S vulnerable East J 10 9 3 West North East South A5 1 Pass 2 J62 QJ73 Pass Pass ? What action should East take? In the 1998 world open teams semi-finals, East passed and N-S made 8 tricks, +110. N-S are known to have 8+ trumps and E-W probably have an 8+ fit. To pass in this situation is a consistent loser. East should make a delayed double of 2 for takeout. E-W had an 8-card spade fit and could have made 2 . 16 trumps, 16 tricks. 3. Teams : Dealer East : E-W vulnerable South 4 West North East South Q6 Pass 1 Q 10 7 5 4 2 4 Dble Pass ? AK86 What should South do now? At the vulnerability, West is likely to have eight spades opposite a passed partner. You have one spade, so that leaves four. Divide them 2-2 between N and E. That gives E-W 10 spades. If partner is 2-44-3, you have 10 trumps. If partner is 2-4-3-4, you have 9 trumps + 1 for double fit. With 20 trumps, you should bid 5over-4. The deal: Q9 A 10 7 4 KJ96 732 AK1086532 J7 32 KJ985 A 83 Q9 J 10 5 4 4 Q6

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Q 10 7 5 4 2 AK86 In a 1999 national championship, one North passed 4 which made. The other North doubled, South bid 5 North corrected this to 5 , passed out undoubled for 100. 4. Teams : Dealer South : E-W vulnerable North 10 8 4 10 7 6 3 873 10 8 6 West North East South 1 1 ? *Limited opening, 10-14 points *

and

What action should North take? E-W can make at least game. Playing Bergen raises, North should jump to 3 , pre-emptive. Bid to the level of your sides trump length. The deal: 10 8 4 10 7 6 3 873 10 8 6 Q7653 A A J9 J 10 6 4 2 AKQ9 AJ KQ9532 KJ92 KQ8542 5 74 In a 1999 national championship, North passed 1 and E-W bid to 7 . (7 or 7NT is also there). Suppose North had bid 3 over 1 , East bids 4 , say, and South bids 4 . Are E-W now likely to find a small slam, let alone the grand? The deal is a stunning example of the safety of bidding to your trump level as quickly as possible, even with zero points and a flat hand. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. 5. Teams: Dealer East : Both vulnerable South Q7 853 K97432 62 West North East 1 Pass South Pass ?

4 Dble* *Takeout

What should South do? As partner has made a takeout double of 4 , picture partner with a 1-4-4-4 pattern. That gives them 10 spades and your side 10 diamonds. With a total of 20 trumps, you cannot afford to defend at the 4level. Bid 5 . This was the full deal: --AK2 A 10 6 5 AK9853 J8532 A K 10 9 6 4 J9764 Q 10 J8 Q 7 Q J 10 4 Q7 853 K97432 62 West North East South 1 Pass 4 (1) Dble(2) Pass 5 Pass 6 (3) (1) West bids to the combined trump length at once. If allowed to play in 4 , doubled or undoubled, E-W go just one down for a great score. (2) Double is vastly superior to bidding 5

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(3) North raises to 6 , upgrading for the spade void and the source of tricks in clubs. 7 is there but very hard to reach after N-S start bidding at the 4-level. E-W do best by sacrificing in 6 or 7 . In a good quality field, no N-S pair reached 6 . They needed the help of the Law. You should almost never lead an ace and you should never underlead an ace. Even if partner overcalled in a suit along the way, you should not rush to lead the ace of partner's suit. If you have a doubleton ace in partner's suit, it is reasonable to lead the suit, but you should still look for another lead first.

Restricted Choice
by Richard Pavlicek Restricted Choice There are many paradoxical cases related to the principle of restricted choice (or Bayes theorem if youre a mathematician). Consider the following two card combinations: 1. A J 10 7 6 5432 Proper play is to finesse the jack, then finesse the 10. 2. A Q 10 7 6 5432 Proper play (for maximum) is to finesse the queen, then play the ace. See the paradox? Each holding has the same number of cards, yet with Example 1 you should finesse twice, and with Example 2 you should finesse only once. The reason is that in Example 1 you are missing equal cards (K-Q). If East held K-Q doubleton, he had a choice of plays he could win either the king or queen. In Example 2, if East held K-J doubleton there is no such choice he would always win the king. Consider Example 1. Assume the first finesse loses to an honor, and West follows low twice (else there is no problem). If you finesse again you will succeed when East began with a singleton honor (two possible holdings). If you play the ace you will succeed when East began with K-Q doubleton (one possible holding). Finessing twice gives you two chances instead of one. Below is a table of the relevant holdings for Example 1: West East Probability 9-8 K-Q 6.6% Q-9-8 K 6.2% K-9-8 Q 6.2% Notice that K-Q doubleton occurs slightly more often than either the singleton king or queen, but combined the singletons are far more likely. Hence, if you finessed twice every time without even looking at Easts card, you would have a success ratio of 12.4 to 6.6. If you finessed just once, you would be a big loser in the long run. The classic argument against this is that once East wins, say, the king, he cannot have a singleton queen. Certainly true, but the crux is that with K-Q doubleton, East can tell you whatever he wants. When you observe the king you know it was either a forced card with a singleton or a chosen card from K-Q. The odds favor the forced card because he might have played the other one if he had a choice. Perhaps a better way to look at this is by events. When the first finesse loses (and West follows low twice) there are four possible events: East Won Probability King from K-Q 3.3% Queen from K-Q 3.3% King singleton 6.2% Queen singleton 6.2% The percentage apportionment of the first two events is arbitrary and depends on your opponent. If East varies his play equally, we have the same ratio in favor of finessing. For example, if we see East play the queen, the odds are 6.2 to 3.3 that its the singleton. For practical purposes, it makes little difference how your opponent tends to play with K-Q doubleton. Any percentage lost in one event is gained in another. The only exception might be against a player who always plays a particular card, say the king. Then, if the queen appeared, you would have a lock in finessing; or if the king appeared, you would have a slight edge in playing for K-Q doubleton. Nonetheless, it is foolish to consider this exception since there is no way to label a player with such a habit. Whether you accept the reasoning behind restricted choice or not, it has proved to be valid in practice. Experts know this and consistently go with the odds. The bottom line: Always finesse twice unless there are overriding circumstances relating to the complete deal. Or to quote from a late, not-so-great president, Trust me; I am not a crook. Now look at a table of the relevant holdings for Example2: West East Probability

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9-8 K-J 6.6% J-9-8 K 6.2% The above are the only possible layouts when the queen loses to the king and West follows low twice. No choices are involved (unless you want to consider the moronic play of the jack). Clearly, playing the ace on the second round is better, with odds of 6.6 to 6.2 in your favor. Example 2 is also interesting from another perspective. Playing for the maximum dictates the loss of two tricks if East has a singleton king. If you can afford to lose one trick but not two, there is an effective safety play: Cash the ace first, then return to the South hand and lead toward the Q10-7-6. Suit-Break Issues Another paradox arises out of the relationship between expected suit breaks and finessing technique. For instance, nearly everyone has heard the adage, Eight ever, nine never, which implies that, lacking outside information, it is correct to finesse for a queen with eight cards. With nine cards you should play for the drop, as in this example: 3. A J 7 6 5 K432 Proper play is to cash the king and ace. Next consider that four missing cards are expected to split 3-1 more often than 2-2. This seems to contradict the rule. If a 3-1 break is actually more likely, why not take the finesse? Good question. The explanation lies in the fact that there are two ways for a suit to split 3-1. This is easily seen by listing the possible distributions with their approximate percentages. West East Probability 0 4 5% 1 3 25% 2 2 40% 3 1 25% 4 0 5% Note that the 2-2 break is more likely than any specific 3-1 break; however, the combined chance of a 3-1 break totals 50 percent, which is the more likely occurrence. Consider Example 3 again. After cashing the king and leading toward dummy, it is presumed that West follows low twice, else there is no problem. This eliminates half of the 3-1 breaks (i.e., West cannot have a singleton), which shifts the odds in favor of the 2-2 break. Another way to explain this is by the available-space theory, which has many applications in bridge. At the moment of decision, West will have followed twice and East only once, so East will have one extra space in his hand; hence he is more likely to hold the missing queen. A similar logic applies to: 4. A Q 10 4 K32 Proper play is to cash the top honors. Missing six cards, it is well known that a 4-2 break is more likely than 3-3, so one might conclude that the finesse is correct. No, because at the moment of decision West will have played three cards, thus eliminating half of the 4-2 breaks West cant have a doubleton when he follows three times. The available-space theory gives the same answer. At crunch time, West will have played three cards and East only two, so East is more likely to hold the missing jack. Careful Now One has to be careful about these situations to be alert for restrictedchoice principles, which generally take priority. Restricted choice applies any time a defender may have a choice of plays from equivalent cards. Consider this holding, which is similar to Example 3: 5. A 10 7 6 5 K432 Proper play is to cash the king. Then, if the queen or jack drops from East, finesse against West for the missing honor. Quite a difference! Because of the equality of the missing Q-J, this is almost like Example 1. An identical table could be constructed (except with Q-J instead of K-Q) to show the superiority of the finesse. Now consider this holding, which is similar to Example 4: 6. A Q 9 4 K32 Proper play is to cash the queen and king. Then, if the jack or 10 drops from East, finesse against West for the missing honor. Again, the normal technique of playing for the drop is overridden by restricted choice. In this case we are comparing the chances of East having J-10-x, J-x or 10-x. An event table would look like this: East Played Probability Jack from J-10-x 3.6% 10 from J-10-x 3.6% Jack from J-x 6.5% 10 from 10-x 6.5%

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The 3.6 percents assume that East varies his play equally with J-10-x, in which case the odds are 6.5 to 3.6 in favor of the finesse. The exact odds when East plays the jack as opposed to the 10 will vary with the defenders habits, but for practical purposes the third-round finesse is always the better play. Unrestricted Choice Do not become so enamored with restricted choice that you are blind to reality. The principles do not apply if a defender is able to falsecard without risk, as in this example: 7. A Q 9 5 4 3 K2 Proper play is to cash the top honors, even if East drops the jack or 10. If the king catches an honor from East, it may seem correct to finesse. Wrong! This is because East is not limited to a singleton honor or J-10 doubleton. It could also be a routine falsecard from J-10-x.

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What is the value of a fourth trump?

By Mike Lawrence When you are evaluating a hand for play in a suit contract, you routinely add your high cards and your distribution. Then you make some adjustments. You deduct something if you have a balanced hand. You adjust your estimate for high cards in the suits the opponents are bidding. And, you adjust your estimate for high cards in the suit or suits your partner is bidding. If you do all these things accurately, you should be able to make a decent decision about your next bid. NOTE that I did not say a perfect decision. No one makes perfect decisions. It is impossible, due to the vagaries of bridge, to avoid looking like a loony every now and then. Here are some evaluation questions for you. Put your sliding scale to work on them. You are South. NUMBER ONE. West North East South 1H Pass ? What are these two hands worth in support of hearts? Q9863 J 10 3 A87 10 4 Q983 J 10 6 3 A87 10 4

If you follow traditional evaluation, both hands are worth eight points. Seven in high cards and one in distribution. Do you agree with that? I agree. There is a difference. Let's ignore how many points these hands are worth. Instead, decide how much difference there is between the two hands. Which hand is better, and by how much? We'll come back momentarily. NUMBER TWO. West North East 1S 3H ? What are these two hands worth in support of spades? AK2 53 K8762 10 7 4 AK32 53 K876 10 7 4

Again, an initial evaluation suggests both hands are worth eleven points. But are they? Which is the better hand, and by how much? AK2 53 K8762 10 7 4 94 K Q J 10 9 4 94 Q82 J 10 3 76 Q J 10 3 A953

Q 8 7 6 5 A82 A5 KJ6

In this layout, South is in four spades. Can he make it with the king of hearts lead? You can fiddle with this for awhile. Then, before deciding, take a look at the next hand. AK32 53 K 8 7 6

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10 7 4 94 K Q J 10 9 4 94 Q82 J 10 76 Q J 10 3 2 A953 Q 8 7 6 5 A82 A5 KJ6

In this layout, South is also in four spades. Can he make it with the king of hearts lead? Doesn't take much fiddling, does it? You win the heart lead, draw trumps, and play on clubs to see if you have one or two club losers to go with your heart loser. On this hand, you make ten tricks. Even if spades divide three-one, you take ten tricks without effort. What is the difference between the two hands? The difference is that on the second hand, dummy had four trumps instead of three. This brings us to the theme of this article. Traditional point count has both of the possible dummy hands valued at eleven points. Yet one of the dummys gave you little play for game while the other gave you a 99% play for game plus a comfortable play for an overtrick. Scary. Adding the three of trumps to dummy changed a terrible contract into a great one. So what do you think the value of the fourth trump was? One point? Three points? More? Less? I don't know exactly how to measure it, but it seems to be worth lots. Going back to the first pair of hands, it is clear to me that the second hand with its fourth trump is worth more than its companion hand. The amount that it is worth is not possible to determine, but it must be a value that you consider when making your decisions. Larry Cohen wrote a book recently called The Law of Total Tricks. It is an elegant book that says, in effect, that the more trumps your side has, the better off you are. I agree. It says a lot more too, but I won't give any more secrets away here. In other publications I have talked about the importance of having an eight card fit as opposed to a seven card fit. A basic rule of bidding is that you do not look for a seven card fit. You may end up in one, but you do not try to do so. With that in mind, you should be conscious not to raise with three trumps WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR PARTNER HAS JUST FOUR. How can you tell when partner has four and not five? Or for that matter, three? On many sequences, you just can not tell. When you can't tell how many partner has, it is OK to raise with three in the hope that he has five. But, on sequences where partner's bidding shows exactly a four card suit, your raise must show four. Here are some auctions. How many cards does North have in his suit and how many can South have for the raise? West North East South 1C 1H 2C North can have a three card suit. But he can have four or five or six clubs. South is entitled to raise clubs with just three card support. It is unlikely that you will raise a minor suit with three trumps, but it can happen. A6 7652 10 8 4 2 KJ8 This hand, for example, might bid two clubs over the one heart overcall. It has eight nice points and no other decent bid. I know if I held the South hand, I would feel more guilty passing than I would feel guilty raising. West Pass North 1H East Pass South 1C 2H

North can have four hearts, but he can also have five or six or seven. When your partner's length is unknown, it is OK for South to raise with just three cards. For example: 73 AQ9 Q63 A J 10 8 6 The important goal of bidding is to find a fit. Raising hearts with the AQ9 gives partner better information than rebidding two clubs. One notrump is poor since you have a terrible spade holding. 652 KJ3

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632 AKQ8 With two unstopped suits, raising makes more sense than bidding one notrump. If notrump is right, partner will get another chance to bid it. West Pass North 1C 1S East Pass Pass South 1H 2S

Here, you know for a 99.9% certainty that North has four spades. Since you know he has four and not five, you don't raise without four trumps. (See the discussion at the end of the example hands.) For example, South would raise with: A873 But not with: A 10 5 J7643 J8763 43 K63 J 10 74 With this, rebid one notrump. Raising partner's second suit shows four card support. West Pass North 2C East Pass South 1H 3C

A two over one response usually shows five or more cards. Partner will be happy to hear about three card support. West Pass North 1H 2D East Pass Pass South 2C 3D

This raise shows four card support. North is expected to have only four diamonds. If he has five of them, he will rebid them and you can then raise with three if you wish. West Pass Pass North 1D 1S East Pass Pass South 1C 1H 2S

Another example of the raise promising four trumps. Partner bid diamonds first and then spades. This implies four of them. West Pass Pass North 2C 2S East Pass Pass South 1H 2H 3S

North has four spades and five or more clubs. A spade raise here guarantees four. For example: Q873 KJ7 AKJ87 AKJ86 K32 654 3 Q9 With the second of these hands, you must make a very good bid. Bid three clubs. Raising spades would show four. If partner bids three diamonds or hearts over three clubs, you can show your spade support then. West Pass Pass North 2C 2H East Pass Pass South 1S 2D 3H

How many hearts does South show here? The rule says he needs four to raise responder's second suit. But, logic says South has only three hearts because, with four, he would have bid two hearts instead of two diamonds. For example:

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AJ873 AJ4 QJ87 3 West 1C North 1H East 2C South 3H

Can South do this with three trumps? Answer below. West Pass North 1H East 1D Pass South Dbl 2H

This raise is an exception. A very important exception. North can have four or five hearts, but South's raise still promises four. The reason is that South has already promised heart support by the double. When South raises, he is putting the final nail in his description, confirming that he has four trumps and not three. Why is this stuff important? It is important because you need to know as soon as possible that the fit is adequate. If the auction becomes competitive, you may wish to compete if you know you have eight trumps, but not otherwise. It may help you with your game bidding. For instance: West Pass Pass North 1H 2S East Pass Pass South 1C 1S ?

10 7 6 2 AK 2 A K J 10 9 6 As long as you can count on partner having four trumps, you can jump to game without wasting time doing other things. West 1C North 1H East 2C South 3H

Can South do this with three trumps? In my opinion, the answer is NO. SOME TIMES YOU PROMISE FOUR! Here is a question mentioned previously. West 1C North 1H East 2C South 3H

Can South do this with three trumps? You may do this, your partner may do this, and your opponents may do this. If so, it is a crazy world all around. Bad bidding! Very bad bidding. The jump raise above can be compared to other jump raises. The one underlining requirement is that it shows four card support. Your values may vary according to system, but the number of trumps must be consistent. Why? In another article I showed a hand where N-S got to four spades with Qxxxx opposite AKx. The values were there, but it didn't make. By changing the hand slightly, giving dummy the AKxx of spades instead, game was cold. The message? The more trumps, the better. When you make a jump raise, you must promise four trumps so that your partner can judge the hand. If he knows you have four trumps, he can estimate the worth of the combined hands better than if he does not know how many trumps you have. Your partner is entitled to know what he has to work with so that he can bid wisely instead of having to guess. AJ3 32 Q876 A632 Your partner opens one spade. Eyeing your doubleton heart and otherwise nice points, you feel good about this hand and ultimately push to game. You find partner with this hand: K Q 10 9 2 Q84 The contract looks good except for the fact that the opening lead happens to be a K3 trump. When you lead a heart, the defenders take it and continue trumps. You lead

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KQ4 more hearts and they lead more spades. No heart ruff for you today. Down one when the clubs don't split. RULE. When your hand has three trumps, your distribution will be less valuable than when you have four or more trumps. This rule is so important that you should never make a jump raise with just three trumps. It may feel natural to make a compromise. Is it not OK to make a limit raise with three trumps if you have an extra point or two to make up the difference? No. That is compounding the error. If you do that, your partner will not realize that the correct final contract is three notrump. He will be evaluating his hand on the basis that you have jump raise points (however you play the bid) plus four trumps. He will evaluate his hand for play in your suit. I promise that even if you are just getting around to this aspect of bridge, you will be doing yourself and your partner a big favor by having four trumps. One short question for you to answer. AK976 No one vulnerable. You open one spade and LHO bids two hearts. Your partner 873 makes a limit raise of three spades and RHO goes to four hearts. What do you do? A Q 10 2 What would you do if you somehow knew your partner had three spades to the 5 queen? I think you might double four hearts. If you knew he had four trumps, though, you might decide to bid four spades. Remember these two factors. If North has three trumps, the defenders can lead them and stop you from ruffing all of your heart losers. And, if your partner has three trumps, you have a fair chance of taking two spade tricks on defense. If North is known to have four or more spades, you can't be stopped from ruffing hearts AND you have fewer spade tricks on defense.

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