Non-system Bidding Issues II by Frank Stewart
The true value of shortness depends on the degree of fit and how much wasted strength lies opposite the shortness.

Source: ACBL
My Bridge and Yours
Non-system bidding issues — part 2
Trump suit valuation
Most players rely on the 4-3-2-1 point count. They count extra points for useful short suits after they find a trump fit in another suit. The true value of shortness depends on the degree of fit and how much wasted strength lies opposite the shortness.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
Pass | 1NT | Pass |
2![]() |
2![]() |
3![]() |
? |
4
J 5 3
A 9 6 5 4 3
7 6 3
South’s singleton is worth less than usual because the auction marks North with spade length and strength.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
|||
1![]() |
Pass | 1![]() |
Pass |
2![]() |
Pass | 4![]() |
Pass |
5![]() |
All Pass | ||
West | East |
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East’s singleton heart, where West was known to have length and strength, was more a liability, especially when East held only four trumps. East should have settled for a raise to 3.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
|||
Pass | 1![]() |
Pass | 2![]() |
Pass | 2NT | Pass | ? |
6
J 9 6 4
A Q 9 7
A J 9 5
In a Spingold match, South signed off at 3. His trumps were weak, and North was likely to have duplicated values in spades.
North held: K J 10 8
Q 5 3 2
4 3
K Q 6.
3made. At the other table 4
went down.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
2![]() |
2![]() |
|
3![]() |
Pass | Pass | ? |
(a) K J 4
K J 5 4
6 5 4 3
5 3
(b) A K J 4 3
K J 5
6 5 4 3
5 4
The difference between an eight-card fit and a nine-card fit is significant. Possession of a ninth trump is often enough to influence you to compete at the three level. To bid 3, you would prefer (b).
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
|||
Pass | 2NT* | Pass | ? |
(*) Forcing raise.
(a) A K Q J 2
K 4 3
9 3 4
K 10 2
(b) A K 8 3 2
A Q 3
9 3 4
K 10 2
Hand (b) is better for slam purposes. Hand (a) suffers from duplication in trumps. Since North’s response promises four-card support, you won’t need the J to draw trumps
West | North | East | South |
3![]() |
Pass | ? | |
(a) K 4
A 9 3
A Q 4
J 8 6 4 2
(b) K 4
A Q 3
A 4 3
J 8 6 5 2
Prefer (a). The Q in (b) is wasted.
More Wasted and Working Values
You count points to estimate the value of your hand as dealt. As the auction progresses, your values may get better or worse.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
Pass | 1![]() |
|
Pass | 1![]() |
Pass | 1NT |
Pass | 2![]() |
Pass | ? |
(a) K 4
10 6 4 2
A 6
Q 8 6 4 2
(b) 8 3
K Q 5 2
J 6
K 8 6 5 2
Hand (b), which has wasted heart strength opposite North’s probable void, is worth only a chance-giving raise to 3. Hand (a) may produce 6
! Give North a suitable hand:
A 9 5 2
—
K J 5 3 2
A K 5 3 and you may make seven.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
Pass | 1![]() |
|
Pass | 2![]() |
Pass | ? |
(a) A 8 7 5 3
Q 8 6
K J
8 4 3
(b) K Q 8 6 2
8 6 4
J 5
K J 5
Hand (a), with fitting honors, is worth at least an invitational jump to 3. Some of the black-suit values in (b) will be wasted; North may have a singleton spade. A bid of 2NT would be aggressive.
West | North | East | South |
1![]() |
Pass | 2![]() |
|
Pass | 3![]() |
Pass | ? |
(a) Q 4 3
A 4 3 2
Q 4 3 2
3 2
(b) A 4 3
Q 4 3 2
Q 4 3 2
3 2
Bid 4 only on (a). The
Q is bound to be a useful card, but the value of the
Q in (b) is unclear.
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