Opening with 4-5 in the Minors

Source:  www.wednesdaygame.com

These hands address the problem that occurs when we have opening values with 4 Diamonds and 5 Clubs.  With a good hand (say 17+) we can open 1 and reverse into 2 if Partner responds one of a major.  But with weaker hands Opener may find himself without a suitable rebid if he opens 1.

                                     1st July, 2009                       E-W Vul 

 19

J6

J9

A642

AJ754

West    North   East     South

          Pass    Pass    Pass

??

 The West hand does pass the Rule of 20, but it hardly looks like an opening bid, does it?  There is an alarming absence of Tens, and there are also those dubious doubleton Jacks, both of which would be more useful if accompanied by other honors.  And, if that is not enough to discourage West from opening, West also has that awkward 4-5 minor hand which can create rebid problems with weak hands.  His options would be:

         Open 1 and rebid 2: Surely not, with such a rotten suit.

      Open 1 and rebid 2: Some like this style, but it is mis-descriptive, better to avoid this except with certain 1-3-4-5 hands.

       Open 1 and rebid 1NT: The only excuse for opening the hand would be the 5-4 shape, and to rebid 1NT with such poor values (rather than showing both suits) would be inconsistent.

 So, with a marginal opener (at best), and no satisfactory plan for a rebid, surely West would be best advised to pass.

                                    3rd June, 2009                     N-S Vul 

 15

K92

6

J762

AK962

South   West    North   East 

??

 

 Holding the South hand, what’s your general plan?  Clearly you will be opening one of a minor, and if Partner responds 1 you will raise to 2.  So far, so good, but the odds are that you will have to find a rebid after a 1 response.  Here are the options:

    Open 1 and rebid 2:  We are not crazy about this solution to the rebid problem, too often it gets the partnership to the wrong minor suit.

       Open 1 and rebid 1NT:  The down-side here is that Partner will not expect a singleton Heart and may well go back to 2 on a (good) 5-card suit.  Even so a reasonable plan.

       Open 1 and rebid 2:  6 Clubs are not promised but that’s what we usually have for this sequence.  Even so, that’s our preferred plan, at least the suit is good and it does not have the aforementioned defects.

                                    3rd September, 2008           E-W Vul 

  9

9

AQ4

AQ94

K7542

North   East     South   West

??

 

North has an opening bid, of course, but what is the bid which best prepares her for the likely 1 response from South?

         Open 1, and rebid 2? No, that rotten suit is not worth rebidding.

         Open 1, and rebid 2? A little bit light for a reverse, don’t you think?

         Open 1, and rebid 1NT? No, too strong for that.

   Open 1, and rebid 2? That’s not perfect, either, as it distorts the relative lengths of the minor suits.  Nonetheless, it seems to be the least of evils.

                                           25th October, 2006           Board 1      None Vul

5

Q52

AK64

AJ842

North   East     South   West

??

 

If the hand were about a King stronger there would be no problem here, we’d simply open our longest suit, planning to reverse to 2 next time around.  But, with less than reverse values, as here, we have these three choices (we are assuming that Partner will respond 1):Click here to continue reading

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

It Was Anything But A Moysian Fit

May 21, 1973 by Charles Goren: Alphonse Moyse Jr. of New York recently became the

Use the Rule of Fifteen by Jeremy Dhondy

How do you decide whether to open the bidding in fourth seat? It's a funny question really. Why should it differ from any other position?

Bidding Over 4-level Preempts P I

Over opponents 4-level preemptive bidding. Which doubles are penalty and takeout? How should I overcall and respond in these auctions?"

The Saga Continues: The Cost of Cheating to the Community by GS Jade Barrett

The exposure of three of the higher ranking pairs as cheats during the month of September 2015 was cathartic to some, but extremely distressing to others.

Mossop team wins the English Premier League

Source: EBU The Premier League has been won by the...

Franck Riehm elected as WBF President

The World Bridge Federation is pleased to announce the...

1st South American Online Mixed Teams Championship

All players belonging to any NBO affiliated to the WBF are welcome!

I Brazilian Online Bridge Festival 2020

Some of the best players in the world are Brazilians, and some of the most enthusiastic players too! Our Brazilian Online Festival has appeal to players of all levels. Your team will play in a friendly but competitive atmosphere, with very well-organized scoring and experienced Directors to ensure a pleasant experience for all.

WBF Robot Tournaments

Come and join the competition through our Providers, BBO, Funbridge and Ourgame, all offering you this great opportunity – we look forward to some challenging tournaments!”

The Endplay

An endplay (also throw-in), in bridge, is a tactical play where a defender is put on lead at a strategic moment, and then has to make a play that loses one or more tricks.

The Scissors Coup by John Brown

Scissors coup (or, Scissor coup, ) is a type of coup in bridge, so named because it cuts communications between defenders.

World Bridge Federation – Youth

The Championship is open to all players born on or after 1st January 1992 (Juniors & Girls) or born on or after 1st January 1997 (Youngsters) or born on or after 1st January 2002 (Kids) in good standing with their own NBOs.

Prevent a Ruff by Jon Brown

West led his singleton club, which dummy's king won. South read the lead as a singleton.

RELACIONADOS

CATEGORIAS POPULARES