Bd 1 |
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P - P -1♦ -P
1♥ - P - 3♥ -P
4♥
Some may open with North meeting the rule of 19 (HCPs and length of 2 longest suits) but no good intermediates or distribution shape.
So should South open in position 3 with 11HCPs. This is a powerful 11 HCPs with honour card points in the long suits.
The key question is whether South raises 1♥ to 2♥ or 3♥ ? South only has 11HCPs but in ♥ s he has a 5 loser hand so does not need a lot from North for game so bid 3♥. For more info on using the losing trick analysis.
North is a maximum for a pass and the Ace of partners suit will be useful. |
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Bd 4 |
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1♦ - 1♠ - 2♦ - X
3♦ - 3♥ - P- P
Should North double or bid 1♠ . As he can show length in 2 suits by bidding ♠ s and then ♥ s this is probably best order.
East should raise partner to 2♦ s. Always raise partner if you can.
Double by South shows around 8 HCPs and support for the other unbid suits.
With 9 trumps West should raise to 3♦ s. The rule of total tricks in a balanced competitive auction bid to the number of trumps your side holds.
North has to decide whether to bid 3 or 4♥ s. North has a source of tricks in the ♠ s, but an A♣ is more valuable (in our suits) than an Ace ♦ (their suit).
As the card lie with a trump possible in ♠ s and the ♣ s can run by West only 2♥ s can make.
What to lead by East against ♥ contract? |
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Bd 9 |
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P - 1♠ - x - 4♠
5♦ - 5♠ ? - P- P
P
Some may open the North hand with 3♦ but not that great without values in ♦ s and flatish shape 6322.
5♠ is better as the East hand has offensive values (A/Ks and singletons / voids) rather than defensive ones and partner has shown a good suit support, but not necesarily HCPs. A double would be penalties and show a flatish defensive hand, East can take out to 5♠ s if he has bid with distribution and not HCPs.
Some North's may have considered 6♦ s over 5♠ s which is a good sacrifice. |
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Bd 12 Adv |
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1♥ - P - 2NT - P
3♣ - P - 3♠ - P
4♥ - P - P
This is a good example of a hand that is useful to have a convention called Jacoby 2NT for forcing to game and exploring a slam. The responses are:
4 Major - not interested in slam
3 Major - 17+ HCPs and balanced.
3x - is a void or singleton and a hand suitable for slam (with 6 loser hand and 5521 distribution may be worth exploring)
4x - is a 5+ card suit with honours in it
The 3♠ response is a cue bid, as this bypasses 3♦ west knows that there are two losers in ♦ s so signs off in 4♥ s
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Bd 17 Adv |
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1♣ - 1♥ - 1♠ - 4♥
4♠
The jump raise by West to 4♥ has made it difficult for North to explore for slam. He has no losers in ♥ s and a good fit for ♠ s.
One problem with North bidding 4♠ s is missing slam, or what does he do if East bids 5♥ s. To show an interest in slam he can bid 5♥ s showing a control and inviting South to bid a slam if suitable.
South will think on the positive side that he has solid spade with an extra one, no risk with his low doubleton ♥ , doubleton in partners suit may allow ruffing a trick and QJ♦ will support a K or allow a finesse. So will go to slam.
Not easy to find.
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Bd 22 Adv |
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P- 1NT - P - 2♥
P - 3♠ - P - 4♠
The normal response of 2♠ to the transfer request can be varied with a jump to 3♠ if you have 4♠ s and have a hand that could be suitable for game. Here South has 13.5 HCPs and a useful low doubleton that could be ruffed.
It is the best bid even if partner has 0 HCPs as they have game and it will make it difficult to find game in ♥ s and is a good example of the law of total tricks.
It gets more difficult if bidding goes
P- 1NT - 2♥ - 2♠
P - 3♠ - P - 4♠ |
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Bd 24 |
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P - P -P -1♣
P - 1♠ - P - 2N
P - 4♥
With the bid of 1♠ by North, South can fill his ♠ King has value and he is safe against ♠ s so can bid 2N 17/18 (or 3NT, but still a bit of a risk with the ♠ s). On this North can safetly show his 55 shape and bid 4♥ s
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