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 |
| 4 A Q J 6 2 Q J 7 3 A 10 6 4 |
A J 8 3 2 5 A 10 6 4 J 5 2 |
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.