Bidding over a Pre-empt

Here is your hand:

♠AKQ72
♥A942
♦AJ95
♣-

Playing matchpoints and everyone is vulnerable. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is Dealer and Passes. You decide to open the bidding 1♠. Your LHO bids 3♣. Your Partner bids 3♥. Your RHO Passes again.

First think about what Partner is showing.

What is your call?

Show Answer

I hope everyone drove to a slam on this board. Partner should have a strong hand with long ♥. You have a VERY nice fit with Partner and you have 18 HCP PLUS you have a useful void worth at least 5 points.

It would be nice to know how to bid this properly but that involves cue-bidding and that is pretty complicated. For now a leap to 6♥ gets the partnership to slam easily enough.

Partner opens 1NT

Here is your hand:

♠9642
♥AQJ9
♦3
♣KQ32

The Opponents are silent during your auction. Partner opens the bidding 1NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

You have a perfect 2♣ bid. This is Stayman asking if Partner has a four card major.

For more information on Stayman please check out these posts:
Lesson: Introducing Stayman
Lesson: Responding to Stayman

Responder Promises a FIVE Card Suit

Normally when Responder bids a new suit they only promise a FOUR card suit. Example:
This is the auction:

Opener	Responder
1♥	1♠

Responder is showing at least four ♠ and at least 6 HCP (High Card Points).

(Remember their PARTNER opened the bidding. OPENER needs FIVE ♥ and 13 HCP to open the bidding but Responder only needs 6 HCP and a FOUR card suit to respond.)

How about another auction?

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♥

Responder is showing at least four ♥ and at least 6 HCP (High Card Points). Responder could have more than four ♥ but they do not promise more than four ♥.

What happens if Responder responds at the 2 level? Does that change things?

No.

Take this auction:

Opener	Responder
1♥	2♣

Since Responder bid a new suit at the 2 level they show at least 10 HCP BUT they are still only showing four ♣. They could have more. (They might even have less if they are stuck!)

HOWEVER there is ONE auction where Opener opens a suit at the 1 level and Responder bids a new suit without jumping and they promise FIVE in the suit.

Do you know the auction?

Opener	Responder
1♠	2♥

This is the ONE auction where Responder promises a FIVE card suit. When Opener opens 1♠ (they MUST open 1♠) and Responder bids 2♥ (again they MUST respond 2♥) this shows that Responder not only has the 10 HCP required to bid at the 2 level but also has a FIVE card ♥ suit.

WHY? Why would the inventors of this bidding system do that to us? Why make us memorize one more thing?

The reason is simple.

It is INCREDIBLY easy to find a FOUR FOUR ♥ fit once Opener opens the bidding 1♠. However if you allow that Responder could have only a four card ♥ when the bid 2♥ then it would be impossible to find a FIVE THREE ♥ fit when Opener opens 1♠.

Don't believe me? I don't blame you. Let's see this in action.

Here is your hand:
♠Q3
♥AK93
♦KJ72
♣874

Partner opens the bidding 1♠. Here you might want to bid 2♥. This violates the four card suits up the line rule but you do it at the 1 level so why not the 2 level right? So you bid 2♥.

Opener has:
♠AK762
♥J852
♦Q3
♣A2
Opener raises your ♥ suit to 3♥ since they have a fit with minimum values.

You bid 4♥ triumphantly! "See, we NEEDED to bid 2♥ in order to find our fit!" you cry.

Hmmmmm. Really?

Let's take your hand. Partner opens 1♠ and you have this hand:
♠Q3
♥AK93
♦KJ72
♣874

Let's say that instead of responding 2♥ you respond 2♦. (Four card suits up the line.) Do you lose that ♥ fit?

NO!

Over 2♦ guess what Opener is going to bid?

Opener has:
♠AK762
♥J852
♦Q3
♣A2

2♥. Now you have found your ♥ fit. You can bid 4♥ and you will have made it to your game in ♥.

Well, what does it really matter?

Here's where it matters.

When Responder has this hand:
♠Q3
♥AK963
♦KJ7
♣874

and Opener has:
♠AK762
♥J85
♦Q63
♣A2

and Opener opens the bidding 1♠.

If Responder promises FIVE ♥ when they respond 2♥ then the partnership will have found their five three ♥ fit and be safe and happy in 4♥. Responder will bid 2♥. Opener will know they have a FIVE card suit and can raise with three. Opener will bid 3♥ and Responder will bid 4♥ to get the partnership to game.

But what happens if Responder only promises a FOUR card suit. Now over 2♥ Opener cannot show a fit. They will probably bid 2NT to show a minimum, balanced hand.

What does Responder do now?

If Responder bids the ♥ again they show a SIX card suit. (On most auctions when Responder rebids their suit they show six cards in that suit.) But Responder does not have a six card suit.

Responder would probably just bid 3NT and hope for the best.

With an eight card fit, playing in four of a major tends to be better for playing in 3NT. Especially when you are a newer player.

Imagine what will happen if the Opponents lead a ♣? Would you rather bid in 3NT or 4♥?

Do we DARE? We do! But HOW?

Here is your hand:

♠A9
♥AKQT763
♦-
♣A653

The Opponents are silent during your auction. Partner opens the bidding 1♦. You respond 1♥. Partner rebids 2♣. It is your turn to bid. What is your call?

Hint: Think very carefully as to what cards you REALLY need from Partner to make a slam.

(I hope you didn't think "the Ace of ♦!" -- Sure it would be nice to have but do you REALLY need it?"

Since I'm in an extremely good mood today I will give you links. Some you may need. Some you will not. All contain useful information and one actually contains the answer!

Blackwood:
Lesson: Blackwood -- An Introduction
Lesson: Blackwood -- To Bid or Not to Bid
Lesson: Blackwood or Quantitative?
Lesson: Blackwood -- Asking for Kings
Lesson: Blackwood -- A Summary

Gerber:
Lesson: Gerber - An Introduction
Lesson: Gerber - To Bid or Not to Bid?
Lesson: Gerber or 4NT Quantitative?
Lesson: Gerber -- Asking for Kings
Lesson: Gerber -- A Summary

Trump Suit Asks:
Lesson: Grand Slam Force
Lesson: Trump Suit Quality - 5 of the Major
Lesson: Trump Suit Quality Exercises


Show Answer

What cards do you actually care about?

The only two cards you need from Partner's hand are the K♣ and the Q♣.

Don't believe me? Think about this hand:
♠432
♥4
♦65432
♣KQ42

Now OBVIOUSLY Partner would not open the bidding with the above hand. But what if they did? Here are the two hands together. If trump split 3-2 how many tricks will you take with ♣ as trump?

♠A9
♥AKQT763
♦-
♣A653

♠432
♥4
♦65432
♣KQ42

Baring incredibly bad breaks you should be able to take ALL the tricks. Even with that pathetic hand I gave you. That's because the ONLY two cards you need are the K♣ and the Q♣.

How do you ask? Over 2♠ bid 5NT. Grand Slam Force. Partner will then bid 7♠. (Assuming Partner knows what is going on...)

What to Open?

Here is your hand:

♠Q
♥J8
♦AQ865
♣KQT84

It is your turn to bid. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♦.

With two five card suit always bid the HIGHER RANKING suit first.

Real Life Jacoby Transfer

Here is your hand:

♠AT864
♥Q
♦QJ6
♣JT72

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1NT. You and your Partner have agreed to play Stayman and Jacoby Transfers over NT bids. The Opponents are silent throughout the auction. What will you respond?

This one is pretty easy. Respond 2♥.

Now Partner bids 2♠ like the good Partner they are. It is your turn to bid. What is your call?

Show Answer

3NT.

Yes, even with the singleton. Partner is balanced. You don't have to be.

First of all you have to realize that you have a very nice hand and need to get this partnership to at least a game.

Bidding 2NT allows Partner to "Pass" with a minimum with no fit for your ♠.

Bidding 3♠ GUARANTEES a fit for ♠. Partner only has to have TWO ♠. They do not need three ♠ to open the bidding 1NT.

"But they bid 2♠!" you can argue.

"But YOU FORCED them to bid 2♠. They might not have wanted to!" I counter.

So bidding 3♠ is out. That bid is especially bad because Partner is allowed to "Pass" this bid also if they have a minimum.

4♠ has the same "not sure if there is a fit" problem. But at least you bid game.

If you bid 3NT remember PARTNER will take you OUT of 3NT and bid 4♠ IF they have a FIT with you. You will end up in 4♠ if it is right.

P.S. On this hand Partner does indeed have a fit and will bid 4♠ over your 3NT bid.

To Bid or Not to Bid Blackwood

Here is your hand:
♠J
♥AQ932
♦AJ72
♣AJ4

Your Partner opens the bidding 1♠. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". You decide to bid 2♥. This bid is perfect! It shows 10 HCP (High Card Points) and at least five ♥. The Opponents Pass throughout the bidding. Partner responds 4♥. Partner has extras! What do you do?

Well at the supervised I was called over. "Should I ask for Aces?" they inquire.

"Are you going to bid 7♥ if Partner has one Ace?" I ask.

"NO!!!"

"Are you going to stop in 5♥ if Partner does not have any Aces?" I ask.

They think a little on this. "I have a really nice hand. I think we should be in a slam!"

"So, are you going to stop in 5♥ if Partner does not have any Aces?" I persist. (Notice how they did not answer my question at all the first time...)

"No. I'm going to bid 6♥ anyhow. I should, shouldn't I? I have enough for a slam, don't I?" (Here I sense they want a little reassurance. Which I don't give them. Instead I counter with some logic.)

"If you are always going to bid 6♥ and never going to bid 7♥ then why are you asking for Aces?"

AHHHHH! That makes sense!

You ONLY ever ask for Aces if the partnership could be off two Aces and you will stop at the 5 level OR the partnership is interested in bidding a grand slam. If you are always going to be in 6 and never in 7 then why ask for Aces? This does not help AT ALL. It just wastes everyone's time and allows the opponents to stick in a lead directing double.

P.S. Slam bid and made. Nice. This hand matches the one from the past 2 days.

What to Rebid?

Remember that hand from yesterday?

Here is your hand again:

♠AK853
♥KJ864
♦5
♣T5

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is Dealer and Passes. We decided that this was a good opening bid and we should open 1♠. The Opponents stay silent during the auction. Partner bids a normal Standard American 2♥.

Two questions:
Question 1: How many points and how many ♥ does Partner have?
Question 2: What is your bid?

Show Answer

Answer 1:
Partner should have at least 10 HCP (High Card Points) and at least FIVE ♥. This is the one auction that Responder needs a five card suit to respond.

Answer 2:
You have a fit with Partner's ♥. You can now count shortness since you are Dummy. Give yourself 3 points for the singleton ♦ and 1 point for the doubleton ♣. Now you are up to 15 points. Partner has at least 10 HCP. Bid game (4 ♥). Don't wimp out and bid 3 only ♥ because you opened light. Partner can "PASS" 3♥!

Even more importantly do NOT PASS 2♥ because you opened light!!! 2♥ is a FORCING bid.

Decision Time

Here is your hand:

♠AK853
♥KJ864
♦5
♣T5

Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) is Dealer and Passes. Will you open? What will you open?

Show Answer

You don't have the 13 HCP (High Card Points) you need to open the bidding (or even 12!) but this is still a good opener.

You have a VERY good suit and you also have a VERY good rebid. All your High Card Values are located in your two suits.

So you can certainly open the bidding. With two five card suits ALWAYS bid the HIGHER RANKING suit first.

Open 1♠.

Hey, they are bidding MY suit!

Here is your hand:

♠KQJ72
♥942
♦JT64
♣6

You are Dealer. You decide to "Pass". LHO says also "Pass". Partner opens the bidding 1♣. Your RHO bids 1♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

Just "Pass".

I know. YOU were going to bid 1♠. But now the opponents did. You can no longer bid 1♠. You also don't want to bid 2♠. Sure your trump are better than their trump but guess what? If you "Pass" you might get to DEFEND against 1♠! If you thought you could get eight tricks with ♠ being trump then the opponents won't do so well.

When you have the opponents suit you just want to stay out of the auction.

Define your NT Range

Ah, No Trump. Why must you be so defined?

So Partner can place the contract obviously!

It would be easier if we could bid any number of NT and Partner could just read our minds to know how many High Card Values we have. But they can't. Therefore your NT bid must show a certain range of values. These values differ depending on the auction. Let's put you to the test.

Note that some of these ranges are agreements between you and your Partner. You do NOT have to play the standard way. Just make sure you and Partner agree on the values.

Opener opens NT

Auction 1:

Opener

1NT

Auction 2:

Opener

2NT

Auction 3:

Opener

3NT

Auction 4:

Opener	Responder
2♣	2♦
2NT

Auction 5:

Opener	Responder
2♣	2♦
3NT

Opener Rebids NT

Auction 6:

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
1NT

Auction 7:

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
2NT

Auction 8:

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
3NT

Responder Shows more Values

Auction 9:

Opener	Responder
1♦	2♣
2NT

Auction 10:

Opener	Responder
1♦	2♣
3NT

Responder bids NT

Auction 11:

Opener	Responder
1♦	1NT

Auction 12:

Opener	Responder
1♦	2NT

Auction 13:

Opener	Responder
1♦	3NT

Auction 14:

Opener	Responder
1♦	1♠
2♦	2NT

Auction 15:

Opener	Responder
1♦	1♠
2♦	3NT

Auction 16:

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
1♠	1NT

Auction 17:

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
1♠	2NT

Auction 18:

Opener	Responder
1♣	1♦
1♠	3NT

Just to Mess Things up the Opponents get Involved!

Partner makes a One Level Suit Overcall

Auction 19:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♦	1♠	Pass	1NT

Auction 20:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♦	1♠	Pass	2NT

Auction 21:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♦	1♠	Pass	3NT

Just to Mess Things up the Opponents get Involved!

Partner makes a Two Level Suit Overcall

Auction 22:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♠	2♦	Pass	2NT

Auction 23:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♠	2♦	Pass	3NT

Just to Mess Things up the Opponents get Involved!

Partner Makes a NT Overcall

Auction 24:

Opener	Overcaller
1♠	1NT

Auction 25:

Opener	Overcaller
1♠	2NT

Auction 26:

Opener	Opponent	Responder	Overcaller
1♦	Pass	Pass	1NT

Just to Mess Things up the Opponents get Involved!

Partner Doubles

Auction 27:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♦	Double	Pass	1NT

Auction 28:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♦	Double	Pass	2NT

Auction 29:

Opener	Overcaller	Responder	Advancer
1♦	Double	Pass	3NT

How do I show this Monster?

Here is your hand:

♠42
♥AKQ65
♦AJ7
♣A43

You are Dealer. You decide to open 1♥. The opponents Pass throughout. Your Partner says 1NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

Bid 2NT.

This should show a balanced hand with 18 or 19 HCP. Which is exactly what you have.

Don't worry too much about the ♠ suit. The opponents would have bid it by now if it was going to be a problem.

Responding to a Take Out Double

Here is your hand:

♠AJT3
♥Q73
♦985
♣J42

You are Dealer. You decide to "Pass". Your LHO opens the bidding 1♠. Your Partner says "Double". Double here should be TAKE OUT. Partner is saying "Bid your LONGEST suit. I have everything BUT ♠. What is your call?

Show Answer

Bid 1NT.

You have strength in ♠ but not LENGTH. You really need both to "Pass" a 1 level take out double.

1NT shows about 8 to 10 HCP with the ♠ stopped.

Do you really HAVE to complete the Transfer?

Here is your hand:

♠AJ52
♥A8
♦AT75
♣AK3

You are Dealer. What will you open the bidding?

This one is pretty easy. Bidding 2NT shows a balanced hand with either 20 or 21 HCP. Perfect!

You and Partner have agreed to play Stayman and Jacoby Transfers over both a 1NT and 2NT opening bid.

Now Partner bids 3♦. What is your call?

Show Answer

Bid 3♥.

Do NOT bid 3NT.

I know you don't really like their ♥ suit. I know you would prefer not to play there. But remember, you have NO IDEA what Partner has! They could have seven incredibly small ♥ in their hand with no points. Do you really want to play in 3NT then? No.

Partner gets ANOTHER bid once you bid 3♥. They won't let you play in 3♥ unless it is right to do so.

Sure enough over your 3♥ bid Partner says 3NT. Now they are letting you choose what game you want to play in. You can "Pass" now. You do not have a fit.

What to Respond?

Here is your hand:

♠K4
♥Q9732
♦Q94
♣T98

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 2NT. The Opponents are silent throughout the auction. What will you respond? You and Partner have agreed that you are playing Jacoby Transfers over a 2NT opening bid as well.

This one is pretty easy. Respond 3♦.

Now Partner bids 3♥. After all you did force them to! What is your call?

Show Answer

Bid 3NT.

First of all you have to realize that you have a nice enough hand to get the partnership to game. Partner should have 20 or 21 HCP. This measly little 7 count should just be enough.

But you do not KNOW you have a ♥ fit. Partner was forced to say 3♥. It does NOT mean Partner has three of them. Partner is allowed one doubleton. It could be in ♥.

3NT gets the partnership to game. You have already shown five ♥ when you transferred. If Partner has three or more ♥ they can take you out of 3NT and bid 4♥. You will have found your fit.

Tough Rebid Question

Here is your hand:

♠QT
♥J
♦AKQT32
♣K432

Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♣. The Opponents are silent throughout the auction. What will you respond?

This one is pretty easy. Respond 1♦. Don't do anything crazy like jumping to 2♦. That will only confuse things.

Now Partner bids 1♠. It is your turn to bid. What is your call?

Show Answer

This is a VERY difficult bid.

First of all you have to realize that you have a very nice hand and need to get this partnership to at least a game.

What are your choices?

2♦?
This bid is NON FORCING and shows a weak hand with six ♦. You have TOO STRONG a hand to make this bid.

3♦?
This bid is also NON FORCING and shows an invitational hand (about 11 or 12 points) with six ♦. You have TOO STRONG a hand to make this bid.

1NT or 2NT or 3NT?
Any NT bid would show a stopper in the unbid ♥. That's probably the suit the Opponents are going to lead. You cannot promise you will win a ♥ trick. This bid is out.

You cannot bid any number of ♠. You have no fit.

2♣?
This bid is NON FORCING and shows a weak hand with ♣. You have TOO STRONG a hand to make this bid.

3♣?
This bid is NON FORCING and shows an invitational hand (about 11 or 12 points) with ♣. You have TOO STRONG a hand to make this bid.

This leaves one bid. 2♥. This is the ONLY forcing bid you can make.

This shouldn't show ♥. Remember, over your 1♦ bid Partner bid 1♠. They do not have four ♥. They bid four card suits up the line just like you do.

If you bid 2♥ then Partner will bid 2NT. Now you can raise to 3NT and get to your game.

Responding to Responder

Here is your hand:

♠AJ876
♥J98
♦AKJ
♣43

You are Dealer and open the bidding 1♠. The Opponents are silent throughout the auction. Partner responds 2♥. What is your call?

Show Answer

You have a fit with Partner. Bid 3♥.

Remember this is the ONE auction where Responder promises a FIVE card suit. Normally when Partner responds to your opening bid they only promise a four card suit. But when Opener opens the bidding specifically 1♠ and Responder responds specifically 2♥ Responder will have a FIVE card suit.

Opener Rebids or Do They?

Here is your hand:

♠AK543
♥A5
♦J4
♣J965

You are Dealer and open the bidding 1♠. The Opponents are silent throughout the auction. Partner responds 1NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

Bid 2♣.

This is NOT Stayman. Stayman is only used over a 1NT (or 2NT) opening bid (or overcall). This is a 1NT RESPONSE. Partner is showing 6 to a bad 10 HCP with no fit for ♠. You are unbalanced. Partner could be also. You need to take Partner out of their 1NT bid and bid a LOWER RANKING four card suit. Even if it is this bad.

For more information please read this post:
Opening 1 of a FIVE card suit and taking Partner out of 1NT by now bidding a lower ranking FOUR card suit

P.S. Partner had this hand:
♠-
♥J9742
♦KT96
♣A874

2♣ plays much better than 1NT does!

What to bid Over a Weak 2?

Here is your hand:

♠KQ5
♥A742
♦A4
♣A763

You have 17 HCP with a balanced hand. You are about to open 1NT but Dealer is to your right. You have to wait your turn. Sadly your RHO opens the bidding 2♥. You ask your LHO what the bid means and the answer is "weak 2". This means that your RHO has six ♥ and a weak hand (about 6 to 10 HCP). Now it is your turn to bid. You can no longer open the bidding 1NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

Bid 2NT.

A 2NT bid opening bid means you have 20 or 21 HCP with a balanced hand. But over a weak 2 bid it is unlikely you will have this many points. A much more common hand to have is a 1NT opening bid. But since the weak 2 made it so you couldn't open 1NT you have to be content overcalling 2NT. This shows the exact same hand as a 1NT overcall. 15 to 18 HCP with a balanced hand and a stopper in the opponent's suit.

A good thing to discuss is whether or not you would play systems on over this overcall. Do you know? Discuss with Partner. Would 3♣ be Stayman? Would Jacoby transfers be on?

What to do?

Here is your hand:

♠5
♥AT
♦87632
♣AKJ93

You are Dealer. What is your bid? You are playing match points and nobody is vulnerable.

Show Answer

I hope everyone opened the bidding at least.

You do only have 12 HCP but you have really nice shape -- TWO five card suits!!! You've got to open this hand or you'll be walked over by the Opponents most days.

The bad part is WHAT you will open.

If you open, unfortunately you have to open the bidding 1♦. With two five card suits bid the HIGHER RANKING suit first. Not the best suit.

If you open 1♦ you have a nice rebid (♣).

If you chose to open 1♣ guess what happens?

Your LHO bids 1♥ and Partner bids 1♠. Now there is no way to show your other suit. If you opened 1♦ you can now rebid 2♣.

Simple Declarer Play - 3NT

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

You are playing 3NT after a simple auction of 1NT (by you, the Declarer), 3NT (by Partner, the Responder). The Opponents did not bid at all.

Contract:3NT Opening lead:5♦
Dummy:
♠92
♥KT4
♦T964
♣AKJT

Declarer:
♠AJ
♥QJ97
♦AQ2
♣Q532

First let's count winners.

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



Hmmmm. Doesn't look like you have enough winners. What is your plan? What card do you play at trick 2?