BIDDING PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS 

PART 2

 

By Larry Matheny

 

In an earlier session I introduced some conventions and agreements used to solve difficult bidding problems and today I want to continue that theme.  While I don’t encourage newer players to become excited by every new idea that comes along, I do agree that certain conventions and agreements are needed

 

I will present a problem and then suggest a solution to it.  Please understand there is often more than one solution.  It would take too much time to go into detail so to fully explain the conventions or agreements; you will have to do the homework.

 

 

MORE STAYMAN

 

PROBLEM:   After partner opens 1NT, how do you show nine cards in the majors with invitational strength? 

 

                        PARD         YOU

                         1NT             ?

 

                                    #1  SQ9853  HKQ102  DJ9  C106

#2  SKQ102  HQ9853  DJ9  C106

  

SOLUTION:  With #1, use Stayman and raise if partner shows a major.  If he bids 2D, bid 2S showing specifically five spades, four hearts, and invitational values. 

 

With #2, transfer to hearts and then bid 2S.  This shows five hearts, four spades, and is invitational.  Partner may pass, bid 2NT, sign off in 3H , or bid game.

 

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MAXIMAL DOUBLES

 

PROBLEM:  How do you make a game try in competition?

                                               
                                                YOU   OPP  PARD  OPP

                                                 1S     2H     2S      3H

                                                   ?


YOU   OPP  PARD  OPP

                                                 1S    Pass   2S      3H

                                                   ?

 

 

SOLUTION:  Those rude opponents have taken up your room for a game try so use a double here to invite and 3S as only competitive.  Partner can accept by bidding game, rebid 3S with a minimum, or pass the double for penalties.

 

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SUPPORT DOUBLES

 

PROBLEM:  How do you show three and four-card support in competition?

 

PARD  OPP  PARD  OPP

                                                 1C     Pass    1S      2H

                                                   ?

 

     #3  SQ98  HA102  DJ9  CAK982

     #4  SKQ102  HQ9  DJ9  CAJ632

  

SOLUTION:  A double in this sequence shows three-card support (hand #3) and a raise to 2S shows four-card support (hand #4).  A redouble over the opponents’ takeout double is another way to show three-card support.  Knowing you have four trumps across from you is often very important.  Giving up a penalty double in this situation is not a big loss since you need it so seldom. 

 

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WESTERN CUE BID

 

 PROBLEM:  Wanting to get to 3NT, how do you find out if partner has a stopper in the opponents’ suit?

 

PARD  OPP   YOU   OPP

                          1D     1S       2H      P

                          3D       P          ?

 

#5  S108  HAKJ107  DQ83  CKJ102 

 

PARD  OPP   YOU   OPP

                          1D     1S       2S       P

                          3D       P          ?

 

                                    #6  S108   HAK7   DKQ109   CQJ102

 

 

SOLUTION:  The cue bid is a valuable tool.  It may be used as a general force, show support, show a control, or as an asking bid.  In #5 it’s likely 3NT is the best contract if partner has a spade stopper and a cue bid here asks partner that very question.  With #6, your first cue bid showed a limit or better diamond raise.  Your next cue bid will ask partner if he has a spade stopper.

 

Here is a rule: “If the opponents have bid one suit, the cue bid asks for a stopper; if they have bid two suits, the cue bid shows a stopper.”

 

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FIT-SHOWING JUMPS 

 

PROBLEM:  Your partner opens the bidding and your passed hand just turned to gold.  How do you transmit this message?  Of course you can just jump to game or use Drury if that’s in your arsenal, but those bids won’t necessarily do justice to your hand or include partner in the decision. 

 

YOU     OPP   PARD   OPP

                          P           P       1S        P

  ?

                         

                                     #7  SK1087   H7   D82   CAQ10983

                                     #8  SQ1087   HAQJ1087   D82   C3

  

 

SOLUTION:  Use a jump in another suit to show this type of hand: A semi-solid side suit and good trump support.  Remember, don’t forget to jump; if you just bid your suit, opener might pass.

 

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WHEN PARTNER OVERCALLS

  

PROBLEM:  At first you liked your hand and after partner’s overcall, you love it.  But, did partner make a light one-level, lead-directing overcall or does he have a good hand?

 

 

SK1073  H974  DAQJ4  CK3

 

OPP     PARD   OPP     YOU

                        1H        1S      Pass       ?

 

 

Does partner hold:                    #9  SAQJ95  HQ32  D76  CJ102 

 

Or does he have:                      #10 SAQJ95  H8  DK1082  CAJ2

 

With #9, you might be too high at the three-level while #10 is cold for slam.  How do you investigate without getting too high? 

 

SOLUTION:  A cue bid of the opponents’ suit asks partner about the quality of his overcall.  If he returns to the overcalled suit he shows a minimum while other calls show extra values.  The important thing is that you can stay at the two-level.  But remember, since most partnerships agree a new suit by Advancer (partner of the overcaller) isn’t forcing, the cue bid is also used to show other strong hands.

 

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 DOPI, ROPI, & DEPO

 

PROBLEM:  How to handle interference over Blackwood?

 

                                              OPP     YOU    OPP    PARD
                                               3C       4H       4C      4NT
                                               5C         ?

 

SOLUTION:  There are ways to show aces in this auction.  The above three acronyms stand for:

 

DO(double w/zero) P1(pass w/one)  bid the next suit w/2, etc.

RO(redouble w/zero) P1(pass w/one) bid the next suit/2, etc.

DE(double w/even) PO(pass w/odd)

 

DOPI and ROPI are used below five of your suit and DEPO is used for the higher auctions.  Zero along with 2 & 4 is considered even.

 

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LEBENSOHL OVER WEAK-TWO BIDS

 

PROBLEM:   The opponent opens a weak-two bid and you make a takeout double; what does partner’s response show?
 
                                              S6  HAK109  DAK75  CA1073
 
                                              OPP     YOU     OPP     PARD
                                               2S       DBL     Pass      3C
 

Does your partner have 8 points or zero points?  This auction presents a difficult decision when you hold extra values.  Since there is such a wide point range for your partner’s minimum response (0 to about 8 or 9 pts.), you don’t know whether it's safe to bid on. 

 

SOLUTION: The Lebensohl convention was created to give a more accurate description of your strength in these situations.  After an opponent opens a weak two-bid and your partner makes a takeout double, your bid of 2NT is Lebensohl.  It says nothing about notrump but merely ask partner to bid 3C.  Then you may pass or sign off in another suit.  Holding 7-10 points, you bid your suit at the three-level allowing partner to make a better decision.  It really is an important convention to consider adding to your card. 

 

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PUPPET STAYMAN

 

PROBLEM:  What’s wrong with this auction?

 

                                              S1085  HJ53  D87  CKJ1097

 

                                              SAK9  HKQ1062  DAJ  CA62

 

 

                                            SOUTH    NORTH

                                               2NT         3NT

 

SOLUTION:  Obviously 4H is better than 3NT but no one really made a bad bid.  By utilizing Puppet Stayman, responder could have found out if opener has a four OR a five-card major.  Yes, many people open 1NT with a five-card major but that treatment isn’t popular this far West.  However, most partnerships open 2NT holding a five-card major so this is where the convention is normally used.  Take a look again at the North hand.  This looks like a normal raise to 3NT but if opener does have a five-card major with or without shortness in diamonds, four of the major may be a better contract.  Of course, responder also uses the convention to find the four-four major suit fits. 

 

Here are the responses:

                               SOUTH    NORTH

                                 2NT          3C

                                 3D = one or both 4-card majors

                                 3H = five hearts

                                 3S = five spades

                                 3NT= no four or five-card major               

 

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ROMAN KEY-CARD BLACKWOOD (RKCB)

 

 

PROBLEM:  SA1087  HKQJ  DAQ  CK653

 

PARD     YOU

 1C        1S

 2S          ?

 

I’m not necessarily recommending Blackwood here, but if you use it, partner will show one ace.  Can you now bid slam with confidence?  Does partner have:

 

 #11 SKQ32  H94  DK43  CAQ104    or    #12 SJ654  H107  DKJ3  CAQJ2

 

With #11 you want to be in slam but with #12, you are missing both the king and queen of spades as well as the ace of hearts. 

 

SOLUTION:  RKC gains over standard Blackwood by treating the king of the agreed trump suit as an ace.  It also let’s you discover if the trump queen is in your partner’s hand.  The entire convention is extremely complicated but in its most simple form, it can be used effectively.

  

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