|
|
West |
North |
East |
South |
1 |
1 |
Pass |
? |
What call would you make
with each of the following South hands, both sides vulnerable, playing
Matchpoints (comparison scoring)
|
1) |
 J8742
|
 62 |
 K10843 |
 9 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
2) |
5 |
KJ10952 |
K63 |
842 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
3) |
AQ3 |
AJ4 |
87542 |
104 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
4) |
Q104 |
52 |
KQ102
|
8643 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
5) |
2 |
Q102 |
AKJ1082 |
A74 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
6) |
K2 |
AQ8 |
J1072
|
KJ82 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
7) |
Q10 |
Q10
|
Q104 |
9763 |
Solutions:
(1) 4. You might bid only 3 if you treat the jump raise as a weak obstructive
bid, but with at least ten combined trumps (yes, North might overcall with a
strong four-card suit on occasion), the odds favour contracting for ten tricks.
If 4 is defeated (doubled or not), it will often prove to be a good sacrifice
against a game that East/West would have reached if you left them more bidding
room.
(2) 2. Some pairs prefer to treat a new suit response to an overcall as a one-round
force. You will rarely have a hand strong enough to justify such a treatment,
however, and much more often you will hold a hand like this one, a good suit
with moderate values. You would prefer to play in 2, but you would think twice
about bidding 2 if your system would not allow you partner to pass it. North
may raise freely, but should pass with a minimum overcall, even with no fit for
your suit. That is the message sent by 2.
(3) 2. Too strong to pass, not strong enough to commit to game, unwilling to
go as high as 3 opposite a moderate overcall. The cue-bid does not promise a
control in the enemy suit. You will usually have some support for partner, but
if you don't, you will have a strong hand unsuitable for a different action.
(4) 2. Always support when you have support. This gentle raise does not show
game-invitational strength. By raising, you steal bidding room for the opponents
and make it easier for partner to compete further with extra strength or
distribution.
(5) 3. 2 would not be forcing. You could cue-bid 2, then bid diamonds, a
sequence that oblige North to bid again. Opposite some minimum overcalls,
however, you'd like to stop at 3. A jump response sends the right message: "I
have a good suit and a sound opening bid; pass or bid, as you prefer."
(6) 2NT. Not forcing. You have strong interest in game, but North may have a
shapely overcall, perhaps a moderate two-suiter, or simply a minimum. By
describing your strength and stoppers, you allow North to choose a contract or
suggest another strain.
(7) 1NT. Some would pass. Others would raise spades with the strong doubleton.
We strongly advocate advancing with 1NT, despite the lack of a true club
stopper. North can rebid a six-card suit, introduce a second suit (perhaps
hearts), pass, or raise. If the opponents run clubs, you might have the balance
of the tricks when they're done. Game is not out of the question.
|