45  Scar Wars

What are they? Here’s one (bids going round the table):

1H – 1S – 2H – 2S – 4H - ?  Here’s another:  1H – 2S – 3H – 3S – ?

And there are dozens like them: different suits, different levels, some with jumps, but all with one thing in common: “We’re not going to let them get the contract!”  Who is that speaking?  Well, probably all four players. Which of those players is bidding soundly, and which is sacrificing badly, thinking that will show a profit but ending up with battle scars ­- a significant minus score? Let’s see how, using the above examples, we might answer that last query in each case. Here are some of my thoughts:

First, IF the openers are bidding soundly (i.e. bidding as if there was no opposition) they are entitled to three bids between them (opener’s presumed 12-pointer, responder’s limit raise, and opener’s possible further raise with extra strength).  And IF the overcalling side are sound, they should find their limit in two bids (overcaller’s max overcall and partner’s raise to fit-level). Note the big IF’s; weaker players are often more haphazard. So logically, a third bid by overcallers or a fourth bid by openers should fail. I would love to make a rule out of this, but can only offer it as a guide. “If she did, she shouldn’t.” maybe?

Second, It pays to identify the captain of each pair, the one who should make the final decision. In the first example, the opener is the captain because partner made a limit bid,, so if the opponents bid 4S the 2H bidder’s options are Pass or Pass.  In the second example the same principle applies for the openers. 3H is a limit bid, so opener’s bid is now Pass or 4H if he has enough reserve strength for it. He should realise that the opponents are trying to nudge him into bidding an unmakeable game, and not fall for that one. As for the spade bidders, every bid they made is, or should be, a limit bid, so they have no captain and further bids are guesswork. (That doesn’t seem to stop some people I have met.)

Can you see a constant picture emerging?  Well, if I were kibitzing this hand, I’d back the heart bidders’ judgement every time, even without looking at the cards, because they were the opening side with guaranteed strength, who found an immediate fit and are using a good raise system. The spade people are overcallers, with no guaranteed accuracy, only length, hope, and a desire to upset the opponents. When all the contestants in these bidding wars really think things out, they will know when to stop bidding.  And by the way, the time to double is when you know you would have got your game contract yet they outbid you. You don’t know you can get the extra trick if you bid on, do you?  They are robbing you – make them pay. And by the way, The five level belongs to the opponents. Don’t be the second pair to get there.

Final advice

To the openers: Ignore enemy bidding as far as possible. Bid to the proper level as normal, then leave the opposition stranded if they outbid you.

To the overcallers: Both of you should bid to the max, then step back. Only go further if you are pretty sure the score will be better than passing.

To either side contemplating a double. Again, be sure! Doubling a part score may double them into game, so normally only double game contracts. And remember that all the lovely pictures in your trump suit are not worth much if the opponents play the hand.  In fact all four players should identify where most of their points are. If they are mostly in your trumps, lean towards bidding on, if in the opponents’ suit or the side suits, back off, it may pay you to defend.

And there are even other factors, like the advantage of touching honours over gapped ones, the actual length of your trump suit, and of course vulnerability. If only it were all a simple matter.  May the force be with you.