Monday, October 29, 2018
Another Bid
Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.
Here is your hand:
♠K7
♥KJ7
♦Q3
♣AKQJ98
Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1NT. What is your call?
Show Answer
Friday, October 26, 2018
Responding to a Negative Double which shows Hearts when RHO raises 1 level
This post builds on the knowledge learned in previous posts. Please read them first:
Introducing the Negative Double - Auctions showing Spades
Responding to a 1 Level Negative Double when RHO passes
Responding to a Negative Double when RHO raises 1 level
Negative Doubles to show Hearts
Responding to a Negative Double with Hearts RHO Passes
After your Partner makes a Negative Double, sometimes your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) raises their partner's overcall and you are no longer forced to bid. In an auction where Partner has shown four ♥ and you have four ♥ you still want to tell Partner. But now the level you respond at will change since your RHO took up a level. If the bid you wanted to make is lower than the bid your RHO made you might be wiser just to "Pass". Don't let the Opponents force you into making bids you don't want to make. "Pass"ing does NOT say you do not have a fit. "Pass"ing just says you have nothing to say right now. If Partner is strong they can always bid again.
Let's look at this auction:
and here is your hand:
♠92
♥KQJ2
♦KT84
♣A84
You want to compete. You have a ♥ fit. If the Opponents did not interfere and Partner had responded 1♥ you would have raised to 2♥. But you can no longer do that. RHO took that bid away from you. You must "Pass" and hope that Partner can bid again.
What if your hand was stronger? What do you do then?
With a VERY stong hand, say this one:
♠J9
♥AK82
♦AKT4
♣A84
just like before you can just go right to game. Bid 4♥. Partner is supposed to have at least 8 HCP to make the Negative Double. You have 19 HCP! That should be enough to make a game.
Remember you can add Dummy points to your hand even though you will be Declarer.
With a more medium type hand you can support Partner at the 3 level. Compete with 3♥ with a hand like this:
♠95
♥AK82
♦AKT84
♣84
That's quite a bit of information. Let's practice! That might make things a bit more clear.
On the following hands YOU opened the bidding 1♦. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) overcalled 1♠. Partner doubled. You have agreed to play Negative Doubles and this is one! Partner has at least 8 HCP and at least four ♥. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bids 2♠. It is your bid. What will you bid and what does that bid show?
So the auction was:
With a minimum opening hand just Pass. This just shows you have nothing to say right now. Don't let the Opponents force you into making a bid you did not want to make.
With a medium opening hand (and a fit!) bid 3♥. This should show a good 15 or 16 points.
With a maximum opening hand (and a fit!) bid 4♥. This should show at least 17 points. Partner has at least 8 remember.
(Remember to count Dummy points!)
Hand 1
♠ QJ
♥ 7543 ♦ AK53 ♣ QJ9 ♠ KT9
♥ AQ62 ♦ Q986 ♣ Q8 ♠ 7
♥ A875 ♦ AKQ973 ♣ 93 ♠ 54
♥ AQ63 ♦ KT52 ♣ KJ8 ♠ J9
♥ AQ63 ♦ QJ542 ♣ AT ♠ 9
♥ K643 ♦ AQ64 ♣ KJ65 ♠ K2
♥ AQT7 ♦ AK987 ♣ K2 ♠ 4
♥ AKJ6 ♦ QJ74 ♣ Q976 ♠ 3
♥ AQ64 ♦ AK84 ♣ 8532 ♠ 6
♥ A973 ♦ AKQ76 ♣ QJ2 ♠ A3
♥ J953 ♦ AJ986 ♣ A7 ♠ T76
♥ K654 ♦ AQ86 ♣ AT ♠ AQ8
♥ AT32 ♦ KQ983 ♣ 2 ♠ K2
♥ AQ53 ♦ K974 ♣ QT3 ♠ A7
♥ 9763 ♦ AKQ2 ♣ AQT ♠ 42
♥ AT52 ♦ AQ54 ♣ QJ4 ♠ 7
♥ AQJ5 ♦ AQJ62 ♣ J95 ♠ 764
♥ AT72 ♦ AKT7 ♣ K8 ♠ 87
♥ AQ95 ♦ AKT63 ♣ 97 ♠ KT9
♥ AKQ7 ♦ JT93 ♣ T3 ♠ K
♥ QT43 ♦ AJT9 ♣ KQ95 ♠ A97
♥ Q642 ♦ AK853 ♣ 5 ♠ AJ52
♥ AJ85 ♦ QJ93 ♣ T ♠ QJ2
♥ A654 ♦ AQ75 ♣ T7 ♠ J
♥ AKJT ♦ AKQJ96 ♣ 84 ♠ K8
♥ AJT6 ♦ AQJ54 ♣ T6 ♠ A
♥ K732 ♦ AQT97 ♣ 762 ♠ AQ
♥ KJ65 ♦ AJ32 ♣ A92 ♠ Q
♥ QJ42 ♦ AQT5 ♣ KQ75 ♠ 93
♥ AK93 ♦ T765 ♣ AK9 ♠ QJ
♥ AT53 ♦ K543 ♣ K95 ♠ 8
♥ Q832 ♦ AQT73 ♣ KQ6 ♠ 4
♥ AQ72 ♦ AQT5 ♣ K984 ♠ J
♥ J842 ♦ AK54 ♣ A732 ♠ AK5
♥ AQ96 ♦ QJ92 ♣ Q8 ♠ 72
♥ A943 ♦ AK975 ♣ KT ♠ A
♥ AKJ9 ♦ AJ82 ♣ 8543 ♠ A3
♥ 9854 ♦ AQJ52 ♣ Q8 ♠ ♥ QJ86 ♦ AJT862 ♣ AJ2 ♠ A9
♥ AK93 ♦ KQ973 ♣ 53 ♠ Q2
♥ J632 ♦ AQT82 ♣ A2 ♠ 7
♥ A842 ♦ QJ83 ♣ AQ83 ♠ K964
♥ K743 ♦ AT97 ♣ A ♠ 642
♥ AQJ7 ♦ AJ94 ♣ Q5 ♠ AQ8
♥ AQJ9 ♦ A865 ♣ J8 ♠ Q6
♥ K765 ♦ AKQ852 ♣ 7 ♠ K9
♥ AQ42 ♦ AK764 ♣ Q3
| YOU! | Your Left Hand Opponent | Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | Double | 2♠ |
| ??? |
| YOU! | Your Left Hand Opponent | Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | Double | 2♠ |
| ??? |
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Responding to a Negative Double with Hearts RHO Passes
This post builds on the knowledge learned in previous posts. Please read them first:
Introducing the Negative Double - Auctions showing Spades
Responding to a 1 Level Negative Double when RHO passes
Responding to a Negative Double when RHO raises 1 level
Negative Doubles to show Hearts
Once Partner makes a Negative Double you (as Opener) are basically forced to bid. It's a little bit like a Take Out Double. If you "Pass" the Negative Double, the Opponents are playing at a low level contract and neither you, nor Partner, has very many trump. So you NEED to respond. Let's look at hands where Partner made a Negative Double at the 1 level to show that they have ♥.
So the auction would be:
and here is your hand:
♠92
♥KQJ2
♦KT84
♣A84
If you "Pass" right now your LHO is playing in 1♠ Doubled and you only have two trump. Partner doesn't have to have any! So you cannot "Pass".
Partner's Double told you that they have at least four ♥ in their hand. Perfect! You have four ♥! You have a ♥ fit!
You need to tell Partner that you have a fit. But you don't want Partner thinking you have much in the way of points. You are minimum for your opening bid. Bid 2♥. That tells Partner that you have a fit, but you only have a minimum hand.
What if your hand was stronger? What do you do then?
With a VERY stong hand, say this one:
♠J9
♥AK82
♦AKT4
♣A84
you can just go right to game. Bid 4♥. Partner is supposed to have at least 8 HCP to make a Negative Double forcing you to the 2 level. You have 19 HCP! That should be enough to make a game.
Can you count extra points somehow?
Say you had this hand:
♠2
♥AK82
♦AK92
♣K862
You opened the bidding 1♦. If the Opponents had not interfered Partner would have responded 1♥. You have a fit and you will be Dummy. You can now add Dummy points to your hand. So now rather than 17 HCP in your hand you have 20 points because you get to count three points for your singleton ♠. It seems unfair that when the Opponents interfere with a 1♠ overcall you no longer get those points.
It is unfair. Give them to yourself!
So add Dummy points to your hand even though you will be Declarer.
So that 17 HCP hand now becomes a 20 point hand. You can now jump to game!
With a more medium type hand you can jump one level. Since Partner is promising a little more values with their bid (8 or more HCP rather than 6 or more HCP) a medium hand is about 15 or 16 points.
So with this hand:
♠92
♥AK82
♦AK982
♣86
you would jump to 3♥. That tells Partner that you have more than just a minimum opener, but not quite enough to bid a game. About 15 or 16 points. But remember to count Dummy points!
That's quite a bit of information. Let's practice! That might make things a bit more clear.
On the following hands YOU opened the bidding 1♦. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) overcalled 1♠. Partner doubled. You have agreed to play Negative Doubles and this is one! Partner has at least 8 HCP and at least four ♥. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". It is your bid. What will you bid and what does that bid show?
So the auction was:
With a minimum opening hand (and a fit!) bid just 2♥. This should show up to 14 points.
With a medium opening hand (and a fit!) jump to 3♥. This should show 15 or 16 points.
With a maximum opening hand (and a fit!) bid 4♥. This should show at least 17 points.
(Remember to count Dummy points!)
Hand 1
♠ 93
♥ AK93 ♦ T765 ♣ AK9 ♠ A3
♥ 9854 ♦ AQJ52 ♣ Q8 ♠ 7
♥ A842 ♦ QJ83 ♣ AQ83 ♠ Q
♥ QJ42 ♦ AQT5 ♣ KQ75 ♠ 42
♥ AT52 ♦ AQ54 ♣ QJ4 ♠ K9
♥ AQ42 ♦ AK764 ♣ Q3 ♠ 764
♥ AT72 ♦ AKT7 ♣ K8 ♠ K964
♥ K743 ♦ AT97 ♣ A ♠ QJ
♥ AT53 ♦ K543 ♣ K95 ♠ AQ
♥ KJ65 ♦ AJ32 ♣ A92 ♠ J
♥ J842 ♦ AK54 ♣ A732 ♠ 7
♥ AQJ5 ♦ AQJ62 ♣ J95 ♠ 4
♥ AQ72 ♦ AQT5 ♣ K984 ♠ 642
♥ AQJ7 ♦ AJ94 ♣ Q5 ♠ 72
♥ A943 ♦ AK975 ♣ KT ♠ ♥ QJ86 ♦ AJT862 ♣ AJ2 ♠ 9
♥ K643 ♦ AQ64 ♣ KJ65 ♠ 54
♥ AQ63 ♦ KT52 ♣ KJ8 ♠ A3
♥ J953 ♦ AJ986 ♣ A7 ♠ A9
♥ AK93 ♦ KQ973 ♣ 53 ♠ KT9
♥ AQ62 ♦ Q986 ♣ Q8 ♠ QJ2
♥ A654 ♦ AQ75 ♣ T7 ♠ 6
♥ A973 ♦ AKQ76 ♣ QJ2 ♠ J9
♥ AQ63 ♦ QJ542 ♣ AT ♠ Q6
♥ K765 ♦ AKQ852 ♣ 7 ♠ KT9
♥ AKQ7 ♦ JT93 ♣ T3 ♠ A
♥ AKJ9 ♦ AJ82 ♣ 8543 ♠ 3
♥ AQ64 ♦ AK84 ♣ 8532 ♠ A7
♥ 9763 ♦ AKQ2 ♣ AQT ♠ 4
♥ AKJ6 ♦ QJ74 ♣ Q976 ♠ K2
♥ AQT7 ♦ AK987 ♣ K2 ♠ AJ52
♥ AJ85 ♦ QJ93 ♣ T ♠ 7
♥ A875 ♦ AKQ973 ♣ 93 ♠ J
♥ AKJT ♦ AKQJ96 ♣ 84 ♠ 87
♥ AQ95 ♦ AKT63 ♣ 97 ♠ K2
♥ AQ53 ♦ K974 ♣ QT3 ♠ QJ
♥ 7543 ♦ AK53 ♣ QJ9 ♠ K
♥ QT43 ♦ AJT9 ♣ KQ95 ♠ K8
♥ AJT6 ♦ AQJ54 ♣ T6 ♠ A97
♥ Q642 ♦ AK853 ♣ 5 ♠ AQ8
♥ AT32 ♦ KQ983 ♣ 2 ♠ T76
♥ K654 ♦ AQ86 ♣ AT ♠ AQ8
♥ AQJ9 ♦ A865 ♣ J8 ♠ Q2
♥ J632 ♦ AQT82 ♣ A2 ♠ A
♥ K732 ♦ AQT97 ♣ 762 ♠ AK5
♥ AQ96 ♦ QJ92 ♣ Q8 ♠ 82
♥ AJ32 ♦ AQT83 ♣ K3
| YOU! | Your Left Hand Opponent | Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | Double | Pass |
| ??? |
| YOU! | Your Left Hand Opponent | Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | Double | Pass |
| ??? |
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Negative Doubles to show Hearts
This post builds on the knowledge learned in previous posts. Please read them first:
Introducing the Negative Double - Auctions showing Spades
Responding to a 1 Level Negative Double when RHO passes
Responding to a Negative Double when RHO raises 1 level
Doubling to show ♥ is a slightly different auction than doubling to show ♠ at the 1 level. Here you COULD have 5 or more ♥ but because you need 10 or more HCP to bid a new suit at the 2 level you might not have the values to show your long suit.
BIDDING the suit (rather than Doubling) shows a FIFTH card in the suit (you could have more) and guarantees the values needed to bid at the level you are bidding at. Bidding a new suit at the 2 Level would still show 10 or more HCP. Bidding at the 3 Level would be a game forcing bid. Therefore, you must have an opening hand yourself!
DOUBLING (rather than bidding the suit) shows either only a FOUR card ♥ suit OR more length in the ♥ suit BUT lacking the values to bid at the level you must bid at. You are also supposed to have the unbid minor but as long as you have at least one other place to play in (either in NT or in the minor Partner opened) you are good. To make a Negative Double in this situation shows at least eight or more HCP since you are forcing Partner to the 2 level. (Some players play that Double in this situation still shows only six or more HCP but I think if you are new to this Double you should still keep it old school and have at least 8 HCP. You are just that much safer with the extra values.)
Double here IS a Negative Double. This tells Partner you have ♥ and ♣ but as long as you have another place to play in no one really cares if you have ♣.
Here is a very similar auction:
Bidding 2♥ also tells Partner you have ♥.
So what is the difference?
In the above auction, if you make a Negative Double to show ♥ you have either:
EXACTLY FOUR ♥
or
Five or more ♥ but less than 10 High Card Points
and along with that either ♣ or another spot to play in if Partner does not have a ♥ fit. (NT? Partner's minor? Ax extra long ♥ suit?)
So let's look at some hands:
Partner opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) overcalls 1♠. You can "Double" on the following hands:
♠92
♥AJ82
♦A4
♣KQ764
This is a "perfect" Negative Double. You have the other two suits. You have at least eight HCP. You have exactly four ♥.
♠92
♥AJ82
♦AQT4
♣864
This is maybe not the textbook definition of a Negative Double since you don't have the other minor but it is a Negative Double. You have at least eight HCP. You have exactly four ♥. If Partner thinks you have ♣ (since you do kinda promise them) and bids ♣ you can always go back to ♦. You should have a ♦ fit.
How about this hand?
♠KJ2
♥AJ82
♦J64
♣Q86
This is maybe not the textbook definition of a Negative Double since you don't have the other minor but it is a Negative Double. You have at least eight HCP. You have exactly four ♥. If Partner bids ♣ you have the values to bid 2NT to show 11 or 12 HCP and ♠ stoppers.
How about this hand?
♠92
♥AQT32
♦42
♣Q974
This is another example of a Negative Double. You have at least eight HCP. You want to bid. You do have five ♥ but you cannot bid 2♥ since you do not have enough values. You need 10 or more HCP to bid a new suit at the 2 level.
A similar hand:
♠92
♥AQT32
♦Q942
♣74
This is maybe not the textbook definition of a Negative Double since you don't have the other minor but it is a Negative Double. You have at least eight HCP. You have ♥ that you cannot bid because you do not have enough values. If Partner thinks you have ♣ (since you do kinda promise them) and bids ♣ you can always go back to ♦. You should have a ♦ fit.
So when would we NOT make this bid when we have ♥?
What if you held:
♠92
♥KJ82
♦84
♣87642
Here you have ♥ and ♣ but you do NOT have the values to respond. You need eight or more HCP to make a Negative Double in this situation. Just "Pass" with this hand.
Here's another hand that is tough. Remember Partner opened the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) overcalled 1♠. You hold:
♠KJ92
♥KJ82
♦84
♣876
Here you DO have four ♥ and enough values to respond. You could make a Negative Double. The problem is that Partner MUST bid over the "Double" (or else your RHO is playing in 1♠ Doubled!) and Partner might not have four ♥. What is Partner supposed to do? They might have to support your ♣ suit. But you don't have ♣. Or ♦. You also don't have the values to bid 2NT over Partner's 2♣ response. You need 11 or 12 HCP to do that.
This is an occasion where you would NOT make a Negative Double.
You still want to bid. But you need to make another bid. 1NT in this case. That will show about 6 to 10 HCP with a balanced hand and ♠ stoppers. It would be nice to show your ♥ suit but you have the values for one bid and one bid only. Take the safe route and don't get your partnership into trouble.
What will you bid and what does that show?
Hand 1
♠ AQ2
♥ AQT83 ♦ 9653 ♣ 7 ♠ A753
♥ AK43 ♦ Q8 ♣ T42 ♠ A8
♥ AQJ43 ♦ T3 ♣ T743 ♠ ♥ AJ9872 ♦ A95 ♣ KQJ5 ♠ T2
♥ T9742 ♦ AQ8 ♣ 763 ♠ J84
♥ KT876 ♦ AK72 ♣ 8 ♠ J54
♥ KQ986 ♦ 5 ♣ Q854 ♠ 9872
♥ 7653 ♦ K7 ♣ AJ8 ♠ AT8
♥ AQ86 ♦ KQJ84 ♣ 8 ♠ AQ3
♥ A974 ♦ T3 ♣ J543 ♠ KJ72
♥ T984 ♦ 87 ♣ QT5 ♠ ♥ AJ9873 ♦ J932 ♣ Q53 ♠ QJ5
♥ KQT98 ♦ Q97 ♣ K2 ♠ A4
♥ QJT2 ♦ 2 ♣ KJ8543 ♠ J96
♥ A853 ♦ AT63 ♣ 84 ♠ AT
♥ AJT872 ♦ KT74 ♣ 4 ♠ A3
♥ 9865 ♦ KT98 ♣ A42 ♠ K64
♥ AT75 ♦ KT932 ♣ J ♠ A876
♥ A7642 ♦ A8 ♣ KJ ♠ QJ9
♥ Q743 ♦ T9 ♣ AK92 ♠ QT7
♥ AK854 ♦ J9 ♣ QJ5 ♠ QT96
♥ T765 ♦ T3 ♣ AQ8 ♠ A875
♥ AK652 ♦ K ♣ Q87 ♠ K8
♥ J732 ♦ A3 ♣ K8643 ♠ 76
♥ AJT85 ♦ AQ8 ♣ 872 ♠ AKJ2
♥ AT65 ♦ K ♣ AJ95 ♠ A
♥ 76432 ♦ AKJ5 ♣ JT7 ♠ AJ8
♥ A874 ♦ K843 ♣ K8 ♠ KJ2
♥ Q864 ♦ AJT985 ♣ ♠ 8
♥ KQ9643 ♦ Q32 ♣ AT2 ♠ 85
♥ 7532 ♦ JT7 ♣ AJ95 ♠ 6
♥ AQT63 ♦ A853 ♣ K96 ♠ K8
♥ J972 ♦ AKT84 ♣ 63 ♠ QJ2
♥ KT9753 ♦ 98 ♣ J6 ♠ KJ82
♥ KJT8 ♦ 86 ♣ 754 ♠ KJ4
♥ Q542 ♦ 42 ♣ AJT8 ♠ AK
♥ AJT76 ♦ T643 ♣ T5 ♠ 97
♥ 9843 ♦ K83 ♣ AQT4 ♠ A43
♥ AT985 ♦ 8 ♣ T874 ♠ 632
♥ AQT76 ♦ Q4 ♣ K75 ♠ 86
♥ Q9854 ♦ A4 ♣ QT54 ♠ 5
♥ KJT8 ♦ Q4 ♣ KT8754 ♠ QJ
♥ JT982 ♦ AQT3 ♣ Q4 ♠ 6
♥ A854 ♦ JT87 ♣ QJ97 ♠ K5
♥ AQJ2 ♦ K2 ♣ Q9852 ♠ 83
♥ JT86 ♦ QJT9 ♣ Q92 ♠ KQ
♥ KQ943 ♦ KJ2 ♣ 972 ♠ T4
♥ Q854 ♦ A732 ♣ A94 ♠ KJT7
♥ JT92 ♦ QJ6 ♣ 92 ♠ K32
♥ AJT83 ♦ AQ7 ♣ K2 ♠ 95
♥ AK94 ♦ AK82 ♣ T87 ♠ T65
♥ QJT92 ♦ KQ94 ♣ 6 ♠ T96
♥ K6543 ♦ A ♣ AQ72 ♠ AQ98
♥ 9842 ♦ JT6 ♣ 95 ♠ AQ74
♥ AQ85 ♦ A92 ♣ J2
Negative Doubles to show ♥
Here is an auction:| Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent | You! |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | Double |
| Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent | You! |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | 2♥ |
Why play Negative Doubles?
The bonus with playing Negative Doubles is that now when Responder bids 2♥ they show at least FIVE ♥ PLUS at least 10 or more HCP. Opener can now support them with only three cards in the suit. So let's look at some hands that illustrate this: Partner opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) overcalls 1♠. Bid 2♥ on the following hand: ♠92 ♥KQT82 ♦A84 ♣Q74 You have at least ten HCP and at least five ♥. 2♥ is still a FORCING bid. Opener must respond! That's quite a bit of information. Let's practice! That might make things a bit more clear. On the following hands Partner opened the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) overcalled 1♠. It is your bid. What will you do? Keep in mind that you do need values to bid. Bid 2♥ if you have at least ten HCP and at least five ♥. If you have at least eight HCP and at least four ♥ you can make a Negative Double IF you have a place to play other than in ♥! Remember Partner might not have a fit for your ♥ suit! You should have either: A) the other minor (♣) B) a fit for Opener's minor (♦) C) the ability to play in at least 2NT (Partner will have to bid at least 2♣ so this is the lowest level possible you can rebid NT) so that means at least 11 or 12 HCP with stoppers in the Opponent's suit! If you do not have an alternate place to play you might have to avoid telling Partner about your ♥ suit. Here goes. Remember the auction was:| Partner | Your Right Hand Opponent | You! |
| 1♦ | 1♠ | ??? |
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