Friday, March 31, 2017

Rebid Dilema?

Here is your hand:

♠Q85
J9
A986
♣AQ82

You are up and open the bidding 1. Your LHO Passes. Partner bids 1. Your RHO Passes. What is your bid?

The auction proceeds as follows:

RHO You! LHO Partner
1 Pass 1
Pass ???

Question is: What will you bid now?

Show Answer

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Bidding Question -

Here is your hand:

♠5
Q5
KJT93
♣AK876

You are up and decide to open the bidding 1. (With two five card suits always bid the higher ranking suit first!)

The auction proceeds as follows:

RHO You! LHO Partner
1 Pass 1♠
2 ???

Question is: What will you bid now?

If you are wondering about the vulnerability the answer is you and your partner are vulnerable and the opponents are not vulnerable.

Show Answer

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Game -- Standard American NON 2 Over 1 without Reverses: Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing or Game Forcing?

Let's play a game. The name of the game is "Standard American NON 2 Over 1 without Reverses: Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing or Game Forcing?"

I will give you a bid and you have to tell me whether or not it is a Non-Forcing bid (Partner is allowed to say Pass to the bid), a One Round Forcing bid (Partner must bid at least one more time but the partnership is not forced to game) or a Game Forcing bid (both Partners MUST bid until game is reached.)

This post concentrates on Standard American bridge in a NON 2 Over 1 auction. So basically when Responder responds at the 1 level to Opener's opening 1 level bid. Responder only promises 6 or more HCP so Opener needs a BIG hand in order to force to game.

Bids that Opener can now make that are ONE ROUND forcing:
Opener REVERSES (we are going to ignore these bids this post)

Bids that Opener can now make that are GAME forcing:
Opener makes a JUMP SHIFT

Don't know what a jump shift is? Check out this post:
Jump Shifts

All the rest of the bids Opener can make are NON forcing.

Pretty easy, eh?

You are probably thinking that is not really fair. Opener can't really force to game that easily at all. This is somewhat true. Remember Opener COULD HAVE opened the bidding 2♣ if they had a hand big enough to force Responder to game if Responder had nothing. So when Opener choose to NOT open the bidding 2♣ they do need a little something from Responder. If Responder has a little something they will bid again and game will be reached.

To be extra nice I even am giving the auctions in order and having Responder bid the next suit up from Opener's. This will eliminate all reverses (which can be confusing) and should hopefully make it easier to answer.

Hand 1

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
1

Is Opener’s rebid of 1 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 2

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
1♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 1♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 3

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
1NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 1NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 4

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
2♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 5

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 6

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 7

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
2♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 8

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
2NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 9

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
3♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 10

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♣ 1
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 11

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
1♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 1♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 12

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
1NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 1NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 13

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
2♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 14

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 15

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 16

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
2♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 17

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
2NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 18

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
3♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 19

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 20

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 21

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
1NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 1NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 22

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
2♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 23

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 24

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 25

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
2♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 26

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
2NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 27

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
3♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 28

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 29

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 30

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 1♠
3♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 3♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 31

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
2♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 32

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 33

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
2

Is Opener’s rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 34

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
2♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 35

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
2NT

Is Opener’s rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 36

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
3♣

Is Opener’s rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 37

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 38

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
3

Is Opener’s rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 39

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 1NT
3♠

Is Opener’s rebid of 3♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?



Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Bidding Question

Here is your hand:

♠9
KQJ
AQJ984
♣AK8

There is a Pass on your right. You decide to open the bidding 1 and the auction proceeds as follows:

RHO You! LHO Partner
Pass 1 1♠ 1NT
Pass ???

Question is: What will you bid now?

Show Answer

Monday, March 20, 2017

Bidding Question -- Should you BID or not?


RHO You! LHO Partner
Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT
Pass Pass 2♣ 2
Pass ???

Question is: What the heck is Partner's 2 bid?!? Is this a forcing bid?

Show Answer

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Game - Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing or Game Forcing in a Standard American 2 Over 1 Auction

Let's play a game. The name of the game is "Standard American 2 Over 1: Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing or Game Forcing?"

I will give you a bid and you have to tell me whether or not it is a Non-Forcing bid (Partner is allowed to say Pass to the bid), a One Round Forcing bid (Partner must bid at least one more time but the partnership is not forced to game) or a Game Forcing bid (both Partners MUST bid until game is reached.)

This post concentrates on Standard American bridge in a 2 Over 1 auction. This is NOT talking about the "2 Over 1" system. In that system, once anyone in the partnership makes a 2 over 1 bid the partnership is forced to game. So ALL (or some people just play most) 2 over 1 bids are game forcing. The 2 Over 1 in this case just means that Opener opened at the 1 level and Responder bid a new suit at the 2 level without jumping. Things are different when Responder bids a new suit at the 2 level because they promise at least 10 HCP. When Responder responds at the 1 level they only promise 6 or more HCP so things are different.

So here is a reminder of what bids Opener can now make that are NON-forcing:
Raising Responder's suit 1 level
Bidding 2NT

Bids that Opener can now make that are GAME forcing:
Opener makes a reverse
Opener bids a new suit at the 3 level
Opener jumps to bid a suit at the 3 level

All the rest of the bids Opener can bid are ONE ROUND forcing.

You might be wondering about that reverse statement. You are probably thinking you didn't think reverses were forcing to game. This is true in a NON 2 over 1 auction. When Opener makes a reverse bid in a 2 Over 1 auction the partnership IS forced to game. When Opener makes a reverse bid in a NON 2 Over 1 auction the partnership is NOT forced to game. The difference is that responder made a 2 over 1 bid to show they have 10 or more HCP. A reverse is now GAME FORCING.

To be extra nice I am giving the auctions in order. This should hopefully make it easier to answer. I will shake them up in another post to make it more difficult.

Hand 1

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 2

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 3

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
2♠

Is Opener's rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 4

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
2NT

Is Opener's rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 5

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
3♣

Is Opener's rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 6

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 7

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 8

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2♣
3♠

Is Opener's rebid of 3♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 9

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 10

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
2♠

Is Opener's rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 11

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
2NT

Is Opener's rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 12

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3♣

Is Opener's rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 13

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 14

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 15

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3♠

Is Opener's rebid of 3♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 16

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
2♠

Is Opener's rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 17

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
2NT

Is Opener's rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 18

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3♣

Is Opener's rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 19

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 20

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 21

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1♠ 2
3♠

Is Opener's rebid of 3♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 22

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 23

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 24

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2♠

Is Opener's rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 25

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2NT

Is Opener's rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 26

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
3♣

Is Opener's rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 27

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 28

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 29

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 30

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2
2♠

Is Opener's rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 31

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2
2NT

Is Opener's rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 32

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2
3♣

Is Opener's rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 33

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 34

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 35

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 36

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2

Is Opener's rebid of 2 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 37

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2♠

Is Opener's rebid of 2♠ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 38

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
2NT

Is Opener's rebid of 2NT Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 39

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
3♣

Is Opener's rebid of 3♣ Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?





Hand 40

This is the auction:
Opener Responder
1 2♣
3

Is Opener's rebid of 3 Non-Forcing, One Round Forcing, or Game Forcing?



Friday, March 17, 2017

Play Question

Here is your hand:
♠J97643
AT
AQJ2
♣3

Partner opens the bidding 1♣. Your RHO Passes. What is your bid?

1♠ is a good bid on this hand. No need to jump to 2♠ (that shows a much different hand) since 1♠ is a FORCING bid. Partner MUST bid again.

LHO Passes and Partner bids 4♠. RHO Passes. What is your bid?

Think carefully. What does Partner have?

Most novices think this is a cut off bid. After all, you've just bid a game and that tends to be a sign off bid.

But Partner just bid a game when you have shown a weak hand. All you need to bid 1♠ is 6 HCP. Partner bid a game thinking you have four ♠ and 6 HCP. Partner should have about 19-21 points with four ♠.

This hand should bid again.

Depending on how much you know about exploring slams you can either just bid 6♠ (you have 12 HCP plus 2 Length points) or you can bid Blackwood to find out if you are missing two Aces. If you are not missing two Aces then you can bid 6♠.

In any case you end up in 6♠ and you are Declarer. The opening lead is the 9. When you play low from Dummy your RHO plays their J. How do you play the contract? Will you take twelve tricks?

Dummy:
♠AQ85
85
K98
♣AKQJ

Your hand:
♠J97643
AT
AQJ2
♣3

Tip: Since this is trump you need to count your LOSERS.

Deal out the cards at home and see how you will come to 12 tricks. (Or more!)

Show Answer

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Another Rebid Question

Here is your hand:
♠AQ98
82
K98
♣AKQJ

You decide to open 1♣. Your LHO Passes and Partner responds 1♠. RHO Passes. What is your rebid?

Show Answer

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Rebidding Question

Here is your hand:
♠KJ2
AKQJ62
AT
♣T4

You decide to open 1. Your LHO Passes and Partner responds 1NT. RHO Passes. What is your rebid?

Show Answer

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Bidding Question

Partner opens the bidding 1. What is your bid?
♠Q
95
K9742
♣KJ983

Show Answer

Friday, March 3, 2017

Defence Problem

Another quiz on defence. The contract is 3NT. Declarer opened the bidding 1, Dummy bid 1♠, Declarer bid 1NT and Dummy bid 3NT. Neither you nor your Partner bids. Partner leads the 2.

Auction:
Declarer Dummy
1 1♠
1NT 3NT


Contract:3NT Lead:2.

Dummy
♠KQJ4
75
AJ8
♣KT52
Partner's Lead Your holding
2 ♠8753
AT6
762
♣763


Question A: What card will you play when Declarer plays low from Dummy?

Question B: If you win the A, what card will you return? Be specific.

Show Answer

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

How to take that Extra Trick

This post talks about counting losers in a trump contract. If you want some practice on doing that please read this post first:
Counting Losers

This post picks up from the previous post so please read that one first:
How Can Getting an OVERTRICK be Bad?

Did you figure it out? How I can take 12 tricks?

Here are the hands again:

Contract:4 Opening lead:3
Dummy:
♠QJT3
Q942
AKT8
♣8

Declarer:
♠K52
AKJ5
QJ952
♣4

First let's count losers again. I will count the losers in Declarer's hand since Declarer has that nice suit.

How many losers does Declarer have in each of the suits?



You heard what happened last post. Everyone took 12 tricks but me. I somehow have to figure out how to get rid of one of my losers. Hmmmmm.

Can't see any way of getting rid of that ♠ loser. I should always have to give the Opponents that trick.

That leaves the ♣ loser. Do I have to lose that one?

I do have a long suit. I have longer in my hand. That means that I can play off all the and on my fifth I no longer have any in Dummy. I can throw away a losing card from Dummy.

If I throw away a ♠ that doesn't help me one bit. I still have to lose a ♠.

BUT if I throw away a ♣ then I won't have any ♣ in Dummy. That means that I can trump the losing ♣ from my hand in Dummy. That would avoid a ♣ loser. Then I just have to lose that ♠.

Play this out at home if you are having troubles understanding. Deal out the cards and play along with me.

Dummy:
♠QJT3
Q942
AKT8
♣8

Declarer:
♠K52
AKJ5
QJ952
♣4

The lead was the 3. I won the lead in Dummy and took out three rounds of trump. This is what the two hands look like now:

Dummy:
♠QJT3
Q
KT8
♣8

Declarer:
♠K52
5
QJ95
♣4

I play HIGH card from the SHORT SIDE in ending in my hand. So I start with the K, then play the T and then the 8 winning the trick in my hand with the J. This is what the two hands look like now:

Dummy:
♠QJT3
Q

♣8

Declarer:
♠K52
5
Q
♣4

I am now in my hand. I can play the Q and play the ♣ from Dummy. This is what the two hands look like now:

Dummy:
♠QJT3
Q



Declarer:
♠K52
5

♣4

I don't need to trump the ♣ right away. Right now I want to play the K♠. HIGH card from the SHORT SIDE. The Opponents win their A♠ and try to play the A♣ but I trump the A♣ in Dummy and all the ♠ in Dummy are good. Making 12 tricks!

Note that if the Opponents had started with a ♣ I would have lost the trick. But they didn't start with a ♣ and when they didn't take that trick right away I was able to throw away my losing ♣ and take 12 tricks.