Source: 
OBAR BIDS – Acronym for Opponents Bid And Raise – Balance In Direct Seat. Popularized by Larry Cohen in “To Bid Or Not To Bid: The Law of Total Tricks“. Conceptually, when one side discovers a trump fit at the 2 level trump (beneath 2 Spades), the other side should consider entering the auction – even bidding without substantive values in direct seat. While many might make a bid in the balancing/passout seat (“borrowing partner’s King”), making a freebid in direct seat is typically viewed as showing additional values – no so playing OBAR BIDS.
Criteria to consider when making an OBAR BIDS:
| 1. | Sensitive to Vulnerability – caution when unfavorable “Red versus White” |
| 2. | Shortage in OBAR suit |
| 3. | Reasonable length in higher ranking suit |
| 4. | Working values – honors in higher ranking and side suits |
| 5. | Quality of hand – controls, primary honors, intermediate values, sequences, etc |
Example:
P – (1
) – P – (2);
2
A reasonable bid holding:
K Q J 8 2 Nice sequence, working values, and good lead direction
5 3
J 10 5
9 6 4