Theory question

No hand this time. Just a bidding question. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) opens the bidding 1♣. You "Pass" with your hand and your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) bids 1♠.

Now Partner bids 2♠. The same suit your LHO bid! What suit or suits does Partner have?

Show Answer

They have ♠!

This is a natural bid by Partner. They should have at least six really good ♠. (They do know LHO has at least four of they so they probably won't bid with only a five card suit...)

(If Partner had the other two suits that weren't mentioned they probably would have made a Take Out Double.)

Rebid

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠32
♥KQJ8742
♦54
♣AJ

Partner opens the bidding 1♦. The Opponents are silent during the auction. We decided last post to respond 1♥. Now Partner bids 1NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

How about 4♥?

You should have a fit for ♥ -- Partner did rebid 1NT so they should be balanced. Balanced hands do not have singletons or voids. So Partner should have at least two ♥.

As for values, Partner opened. They have an opening hand. You don't QUITE have the high card values but you do have a super duper long suit so that counts for a little something.

Rebidding 2♥ is weak and Partner is supposed to "Pass".

Rebidding 3♥ is invitational and Partner could (and will on this hand) "Pass".

Playing in ♥ you can take 11 tricks.

Respond

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠32
♥KQJ8742
♦54
♣AJ

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

Show Answer

1♥.

You are too strong for a weak jump shift and too weak for a strong jump shift so you can't bid 2♥!

Besides, Partner will bid again and hopefully describe their hand. Then you can better judge what to do.

Last Chance

Playing matchpoints. Neither you not the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠
♥AKJ53
♦A54
♣AQJ84

You are Dealer. You decided to open the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner responded 1♠. Last post we decided to now bid 3♣. Over 3♣ Partner bid 3NT. What is your call?

Show Answer

Just "Pass". You warned Partner you were distributional and didn't want to play in NT.

They listened. They just don't want to play in your suits and think 3NT is the best spot.

Now What?

Playing matchpoints. Neither you not the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠
♥AKJ53
♦A54
♣AQJ84

You are Dealer. You decided to open the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. Partner responds 1♠. (See? I told you last post someone would!) What is your call?

Show Answer

3♣.

This is a JUMP SHIFT telling Partner you want to get to a game now that you know they have six points (so you must have at least nineteen or the equivalent in distribution) and you have ♥ and ♣.

What to Open

Playing matchpoints. Neither you not the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠
♥AKJ53
♦A54
♣AQJ84

You are Dealer. What is your call?

Show Answer

1♥.

These hands are just so much easier to bid if you open them naturally. Someone is going to bid ♠.

You could open a strong 2♣ bid but then you commit yourself to game if Partner doesn't have any points and you are not strong enough to do that.

Another Rebid!

Playing matchpoints. Neither you not the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K764
♥96
♦QJ83
♣T52

Partner opens the bidding 1♥. The Opponents are silent during the auction. We decided last post you were going to respond 1♠. Over your 1♠ bid Partner bids 3♣. What is your call?

Show Answer

3NT.

Partner made a JUMP SHIFT. They have a very strong, unbalanced hand with the round suits.

You want to be in a game (well, YOU don't think you do but Partner says you do!) but you have the pointy suits. You have no fit. But you are balanced and have the other suits stopped so 3NT is probably the best game to be in.