Serious and Non-serious 3NT By Barry Rigal

Source: Slam-oriented auctions: Gadgets and Gizmos         

This brings us to one of the more important patches that 2/1 requires. When in my youth I first read about these methods, Edgar Kaplan remarked that the problem with game-forcing sequences was that neither hand knew when or how to limit or sign off. An action such as:

aaxx

often leaves the next hand to bid in a quandary. They may have a slam drive or a sign-off; those hands present no problem. But the difference between a hand willing to initiate a slam-try, and one merely willing to co-operate in a same-try is vital. In our second example auction, into which category do you place  A-J-xx-x  Q-x-x-x  A-x  K-x?

If you cuebid, partner may use Keycard with  K-x  J-x-x-x  K-Q  A-Q-x-x-x, assuming three keycards will suffice to make slam playable. But the five-level is highly dangerous here. If you sign off over 3, would partner be out of line to give up when holding  x  A-K-x-x  x-x-x  A-Q-J-x-x? The secret is to have the following agreement. In uncontested actions, when an unequivocal eight-card majorsuit trump fit has been established, 3NT is never to play. Depending on which of the following two agreements you have (I prefer the former, Eric Rodwell the latter – make of that what you will!):

3NT is a non-serious slam-try, ready to cooperate in a slam-try but not to initiate one. All cuebids above 3NT are serious slam-tries, showing real extras in context. OR

3NT is a serious slam-try, showing real extras in context. Cuebids above 3NT are non-serious slam-tries, ready to cooperate in a slam-try but not to initiate one. My view is that the former auction gives less away. Using non-serious 3NT, in our examples above, opener’s 3 over 3 neither promises nor denies extras. If opener does bid 3 responder will bid 3NT and opener will sign off in 4. In the second example over 3-4-4-keycard will see the partnership reach the small slam.

It is important to agree that the convention only applies in non-competitive auctions (opponents’ doubles don’t count) and that the eight-card fit must be established. To my mind.

aaxx

does not establish a combined eight trumps. You could argue that.

aaxx

DOES show three-card fit since responder had an economical temporizing call of 3 available. But in the first auction 3NT would be a suggestion of a place to play. For example:

aaxx

sets spades as trumps. But does aaxx

guarantee an eight-card heart fit? Or could the two hands be:

aaxx

You make the call.

MAS DEL MISMO AUTOR

Learning to Think By Eddie Kantar

You can apply the same logic at the bridge table, particularly on defense.

Karen McCallum in Action

Kate (Karen) is one of the finest bridge players in the world. She is well known for her aggressive style as well as her well founded theories on the game.

The Saga Continues: Newsweek talks about it

Big, Rich Cheaters! Bridge World Rocked as Top Players Busted...

Low Winner No Bargain By WM.E. Mckenney

Fondness for a bargain is deeply rooted in human nature, but it frequently is a dangerous trait for a bridge player. Often he will...

Bridge & Humor: Laugh at your errors by A. Sheinwold

Laugh at your errors when you play bridge, and you'll never run out of things to laugh at.

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