Hand 18 - 1NT vs 1 Major

This is chapter 18 in the story of my attempt to determine if it is better to open 1♠ or 1NT with 15 to 17 HCP and a five card ♠ suit.

The journey started with this post:
Later On

Here is the eighteenth hand I generated:

	North ♠J642 ♥K82 ♦J3 ♣Q743
West ♠9853 ♥J64 ♦T864 ♣82		East ♠AKQT7 ♥75 ♦A95 ♣KJ5
	South ♠ ♥AQT93 ♦KQ72 ♣AT96

Dealer is East and N/S are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
5♥ can make by N
4♥ can make by S
4♣ can make by N/S
2NT can make by N

Analysis

If East opens up 1NT I think South will find a bid. But what?

They have a very strong hand -- do they start with a Double?

With a void perhaps not.

Let's say South bids their ♥ suit. Will North raise? Unlikely.

However I did say that East would come in with their suit if it was good. So East will now bid 2♠.

South will probably now bid a minor.

North will go back to the ♥ suit but will they bid game?

If North doesn't bid game will South?

Maybe but maybe not. North has not shown ANY encouragement.

What happens if North opens 1♠?

South could overcall 2♥. North will raise to 3♥ and South will bid the game knowing Partner has a little bit of something.

How does ♥ do realistically?

I think it will do just fine. East has opened the bidding and is likely to have the K♣ so Declarer just has to get themselves to Dummy and play the Q♣. East can cover with the K♣ but Declarer will win the A♣ and let the Defence have their J♣. One ♣ loser.

However they do have to be worried about knocking out the A♦ in addition to the ♣. If Declarer takes out trump they could lose control. But since East is always getting in that J♠ in Dummy will help.

So I am going to give 1NT the win because it is easier for N/S to get to game if East opens the bidding 1♠.

To see the table where all the hands are listed click HERE!

What do I do over 1NT?

Hi Heidi,

What do you suggest South respond to North's 1NT and what would be the rest of the auction?

All vulnerable, West is dealer:

	North ♠J8 ♥AK98 ♦A92 ♣K854
West ♠T963 ♥JT97643 ♦Q7 ♣A		East ♠7542 ♥52 ♦T643 ♣J72
	South ♠AKQ ♥Q ♦KJ85 ♣QT963

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1NT	Pass	???

Heidi's Answer:

I think this can go a few different ways.

Option 1:
South can look at their hand and just say "You know I think we have a slam. But since we don't QUITE have the values (maybe) I should just check for Aces."

If they do that South can bid 4♣ (Gerber) to ask. North will show two Aces and South will bid 6NT.

This is breaking one of the rules about asking for Aces. You are not supposed to do this unless you have first or second round control of all the suits. But you are stuck here and have to take a chance.

Option 2:
If South just wants to invite slam on high card values alone they can bid 4NT. North will "Pass" since they are minimum.

Option 3:
More experienced players have ways to show their distribution but I don't think anyone reading this blog will be able to do that.

Should South be concerned about their singleton Heart?

Ideally "yes" they certainly should be concerned. They have no idea they are not off the cashing Ace and King of ♥.

Is there any way to find out about either one of those cards?

No. I thought not.

The same with the ♣ suit. You could be off the Ace and King of ♣. But again, HOW do you find out?

So in reality don't worry about that -- if it happens, it happens. I'd be more worried I'd missed a slam. That is the big worry for me.

Recommended Auction (which is not really recommended since it does contain some flaws!):

I think that South should just count extra for their extra distribution and ask for Aces. When they find out the partnership is only missing one Ace take a chance on 6NT.

North will have to set up that ♣ suit. If East leads a major or a ♣ it would be easy. They will win a major suit lead in Dummy and play a ♣. West will have to win their A♣ and now North has 12 easy tricks.

On a ♦ lead North will have a harder time since they will probably win the trick in their hand. Who knows what will happen then.

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1NT	Pass	4♣	Pass
4♠	Pass	6NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

Reverse

Note: This post contains some VERY COMPLICATED BIDDING.

Hi Heidi,

We ran into another hand below that we would appreciate your guidance.

EW vulnerable, North is dealer:

North
♠
♥AK842
♦KQ
♣QJ9765

South
♠KT95
♥Q
♦A62
♣AKT42

With five ♥ and six ♣, should North open with 1♥ or 1♣?

How should NS bid the rest of the auction?

Heidi's Answer:

I like to open my LONGEST suit first unless I am worried I might not get a chance to bid my other suit because I am so weak.

Here I am definately strong enough to show both suits. I am planning on opening 1♣ and, if forced, later on reverse into my ♥ suit.

Normally this shows 17+ HCP but here I am VERY strong distributionally so I don't mind I am a couple of points short.

South will first respond 1♠ and then after North's reverse, game force with 3♣.

North can just raise ♣ and South can start to cue-bid. Once North hears about the A♦ all they care about is the AK♣. Bidding 5NT asks about those. This does involve getting to the 6 level minimum. North must hope that South has at least one of the two top honours.

South will bid 7♣ to say they have them.

Suggested Auction:

Note that this auction involves reverses, cue-bids, Grand Slam Force and a little bit of hoping for the best. You really have to play all of these to get to the grand legitimately.

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1♣	Pass	1♠	Pass
2♥	Pass	3♣	Pass
4♣	Pass	4♦	Pass
5NT	Pass	7♣	Pass
Pass	Pass

For more on Reverses check out this link:
Simple Reverses
Reverses Part II
Reverses Part III
Reverses IV - Responding to a Reverse
Reverses V - Responding with FIVE in your Original Major
Reverses VI - Openers rebids when Responder has shown a five card Major
Reverses VII - Responding with SIX in your Original Major or Bidding 3NT

For more on Grand Slam Force check out this link:
Grand Slam Force

How to get to Slam?

Hi Heidi,

In the hand below, North has a strong hand and partner made a preemptive bid. How should North bid? Should North explore slam with this hand below? If so, how?

None vulnerable, South is dealer:

	North ♠KQ ♥AQT54 ♦AQ7 ♣A87
West ♠ ♥J72 ♦K4 ♣QJT96432		East ♠T763 ♥963 ♦J832 ♣K5
	South ♠AJ98542 ♥K8 ♦T965 ♣

N	E	S	W
		2♠	3♣
???

Heidi's Answer:

First of all South is just TOO strong to open 2♠. This shows a six card suit only. South has a seven card suit and a nice outside void. They should be opening 3♠ at a minimum.

Second of all West has a pretty bad overcall. But kids these days don't seem to realize that a three level overcall shows values. To be fair the ♣ suit is really long and West is short in the ♠ suit.

However North knows nothing about that. I would trust my Partner had six ♠ to the Ace at least. What are they going to lose? I also would assume West for their three level overcall probably has the red suit Kings so all my red suit finesses will win. That means Partner can set up my ♥ suit for winners. We shouldn't lose any tricks!

To be sure I might bid 4NT asking for Aces. Partner will show me one Ace and now I will just bid 7♠. Parter might have to finesse the ♥ but again I'm pretty sure West has the King since they did make that 3 level overcall.

On this hand Partner has the King so it all works out.

Suggested Auction over 2♠:

N	E	S	W
		2♠	3♣
4NT	Pass	5♦	Pass
7♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Experts Opinion

Hi Heidi,

How do you recommend NS bidding this hand below?

EW vulnerable, West is dealer:

	North ♠AKJ2 ♥J8742 ♦AJ ♣Q6
West ♠9863 ♥AK6 ♦KT92 ♣A9		East ♠75 ♥T953 ♦Q84 ♣J532
	South ♠QT4 ♥Q ♦7653 ♣KT874

N	E	S	W
			1♦
???

Heidi's Answer: Options

What a brutal hand North has to bid! WOW!

I really have no idea what the best bid is -- or even if there is a really good bid.

I can see several options. Here they are:

North can overcall 1♥. This shows a good five card suit. Is North's suit good enough?

North can overcall 1♠. This shows a good five card suit. They only have a four card suit but isn't their four card suit better than their five card suit?

North can overcall 1NT. This shows a balanced hand with 15 to 18 HCP and a ♦ stopper. The hand is a little unbalanced and the stopper isn't great...

North can Double. This would be a Take Out Double asking Partner to bid their LONGEST suit. With only a doubleton ♣ club what will this hand do if (when) Partner bids 2♣?

North can bid 2♦ which is a convention called "Michael's" saying (in this auction) Partner I have five cards in both majors. But this hand only has four ♠...

North can just "Pass" and see what happens. Maybe they can come in again later. But with 16 HCP does one really want to "Pass"?

Heidi's Answer: Auctions with Different Options

Option 1: Overcalling 1♥

East will certainly "Pass".
South has nothing to say and will also "Pass".
Back to West who will also "Pass".
North will play in 1♥.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
1♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Option 2: Overcalling 1♠

East will certainly "Pass".
South can raise their Partner to 2♠ to show about 6 to 10 points and at least three ♠.
The auction will end there. I don't think North will bid anymore since they don't have a five card suit!
North will play in 2♠.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Option 3: Overcalling 1NT

The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
North will play in 1NT.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
1NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

Option 4: Double and "Pass" what Partner bids

Over a Double South will be forced to say their LONGEST SUIT. This will be ♣. What will North now do? In this scenario they will "Pass" The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
South will play in 2♣.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
Double	Pass	2♣	Pass
Pass	Pass

Option 5: Double and bid 2♥ if Partner bids 2♣

Over a Double South will be forced to say their LONGEST SUIT. This will be ♣. What will North now do? In this scenario they will bid 2♥. This shows a hand that was TOO STRONG to just overcall 1♥.

(I do not like this auction AT ALL. You should have a MUCH BETTER suit to make this bid!)

However the auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
North will play in 2♥.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
Double	Pass	2♣	Pass
2♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

Option 6: Bidding 2♦ (Michaels)

North is showing at least 5-5 in both majors and asking South which major they prefer. South will prefer ♠. The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
South will play in 2♠.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
2♦	Pass	2♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

Option 7: Pass

The auction will end there. I don't think anyone will have anything to say after that.
West will play in 1♦.

N	E	S	W
			1♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

Heidi's Answer: Choices

There is no clear cut "good" bid on this hand.

My choice would probably be to overcall 1NT. I don't mind bidding 1NT with a 5-4-2-2 hand and I don't like Doubling with only an outside two card suit. That tends to be the one Partner ALWAYS picks.

But this hand was so EXTREMELY horrific I decided to ask a bridge group that I am involved in to see what they would bid.

Here are some of their choices of what they would bid and why:

Ottawa Expert #1

I would Double. Worst case is pard bids 2♣. If this happens, I think you are strong enough to bid 2♥. Pard should realize you are looking for the majors and with any luck, you’ll hear her 4-card suit and find a fit.

Ottawa Expert #2

I would bid 1NT - if pard transfers or staymans all is good. If pard passes, it might even make. Even if we go down it might be a good “sac”.

Ottawa Expert #3

I would Double as pard should expect that one is looking for a major suit. If clubs bid I would pass as pard probably has at least 5 clubs. Double also allows pard to bid 1NT with diamonds expecting pard to have majors. 1NT would be second choice but it may very well be passed out. 1♥ is not appealing with such a poor suit.

Ottawa Expert #4

I think you have to bid something. If you pass and there's a preemptive 3 diamonds passed back to you are you going to now double back in?
I think 1NT is best as it allows pard to make an informed decision should your LHO take any action. You might even have a game !!

Ottawa Expert #5

I guess the first question you are asking is should you bid? With 16 high card points it is a definite yes! So, if you are going to bid, what should it be? With 5, 4, 2, 2 I would reject 1NT. I could overcall 1♥, but I may be stumped for a second bid. I would select 2♦, Michaels. Yes, it should be 5-5, but if you wait for the perfect hand every time you would frequently not be bidding. Besides, the 4 card suit is pretty good. Even if pard has just 3 spades and you end up playing there, it is still ok. Sometimes you have to lie a bit, and I think the smallest lie here is 2♦.  

Ottawa Expert #6

When White I overcall 4-card suits with my partner all the time so 1♠ wouldn't be terrible but I prefer length to strength and the AK will take tricks regardless ( A concept another player calls "Ins and Outs"). If LHO passes you might hear 1♠ from partner. If LHO passes and partner passes you aren't missing anything. If LHO bids 2♦ partner might show heart support or bid showing spades.
Also, is a rebid of 2♠ by you a reverse (Overcaller reverses?)? If not then the following auction is playable. You can't leave them in 2♦
(1♦)-1♥-(2♦)-p
(p)-2♠
You don't really want a heart lead agaisnt a suit contract but as Mike Lawrence says, partner needs to be on lead for that to be a problem.
Pass is too timid for my taste. What is your next bid if you pass and LHO bids 3♦?
(1♦)-p-(3♦)-p
(p)-?

Ottawa Expert #7

Of the 4 reasonable options, I would not Double (only 2 clubs), or bid 1♠ (4 card suit) I think both 1♥ and 1NT are very reasonable bids, and either one would be acceptable.  

Ottawa Expert #8

My preference is to double for takeout.
Why - the least of all evils.
If partner bids 2♣ they will often have a 5 card suit since they should always try to bid a major
If they bid a major, I will raise. It should show around 15-16 HCP

Why not other bids:
1. 1NT - with a minimum I prefer at least 1.5 tricks in their suit
2. 1♥ - as you said, a lousy suit and you may lose a ♠ fit
3. 1♠ - a very good suit but now you'll never find the ♥ fit if you have one
4. Pass - cowardice

Ottawa Expert #9

I agree with Ottawa Expert #8. You have a values showing double and to pass is cowardice!!

Ottawa Expert #10

You are right Heidi, this is a brutal hand. I think, like Ottawa Expert #8, I'd Double. You risk missing a 5-3 heart fit but bring in the possibility of a 4 4 spade fit. If, unfortunately, pard has a yarborough with 5 diamonds, hopefully he doesn't have 4 clubs and will bid his 3 card major (which brings the possibility of playing in our 8 card heart fit😁). Maybe my LHO will rescue us by bidding over my double.

Ottawa Expert #11

I love 5 card suits. I would bid 1♥.

Ottawa Expert #12

I like 1NT. It shows your point count and that you have a stopper in the opener's suit. And I'd keep my fingers crossed that Pard has enough points for Stayman.

Ottawa Expert #13

I like 1NT. It is a reasonably valid description of your hand (I would open 1NT in 1st seat). If partner has something in a major you may hear about it and end up in the right major suit strain. You only need a partial diamond stopper from partner to have them double stopped.

Ottawa Expert #14

To me there are two best bids available; it depends on your style which one you choose.
Bid #1: 2♦ Michaels...your 4 card ♠ suit is strong enough to be considered a 5 bagger. Since your partner has not bid, even a game is possible. Playing a Moysian fit in ♠'s is OK too since you have good hand strength.
Bid #2: 1NT shows a 15-18HCP overcall. Since you do not have 5♠, your ♥ suit suit is mediocre and you have a ♥ stopper it tells your partner what your high card strength is and that you have a diamond stopper. With systems on, several different contracts can be reached.
In either case your hand is behind the opening bidder.
Having said all that, my personal preference is Bid #2 since it passes captaincy to your partner and allows your unpassed partner more choice and more information on which to base a decision.

Ottawa Expert #15

I like 1NT as well. Point count is right, and you have a diamond stopper, although I would like it better if I had AJx. If partner bids Stayman, you are away to the races. If partner passes or raises NT, you should still be okay.

Ottawa Expert #16

I would, personally, double: I have more than an average opener and reasonable rebids. Between us, opener and I have at least 29 HCP (West surely will have a “real” opener, so on average, pard has about 5 HCP; on that measure, we’re even strength or better). We can probably make any 2 level bid or at most down 1. I’m prepared to bid 2♥ over 2♣ by partner and passing ops, can pass any one-level major and raise any two level major [showing 8+] to three (inviting). I can also risk leaving in a 1NT response. Against that, Opponents may well be able to make one or even 2♦ with about even HCP. Therefore, it’s either -70/-90 if I don’t bid vs. -50/+90/+110/=140 if I do. Probably.

Yes, there are days when we wind up on the short end at even worse scores – or make games we don’t bid.

Life isn’t perfect. It’s a competitive game.

Ottawa Expert #17

Jerry Helms argues for finding the least bad bid when no option fits perfectly. Between the choices of Double, 1Major, 1NT, or Michaels, I would choose 2♦ and let the blame fly!!

Ottawa Expert #18

I would bid 1NT. It is not perfect but I believe that it better describes my hand than the other options.

Ottawa Expert #19

Double. If Partner bids 2♣ I'll just "Pass".

Ottawa Expert #20

Double.

Ottawa Expert #21

Double.

Ottawa Expert #21

When on my own in such situations - I seek balance between two thoughts - stay flexible; make the smallest lie

In this case I would consider 1♥,1♠ and 1NT as too unilateral - and I'd mis-sort a ♥ into the ♣ suit and Double.

(Heidi's note: Ha Ha! Hard to do the mis-sorting now that we are online and he's giving away all my secrets!)

I think people who 2-suit with 5-4 should be forced to play euchre

(Heidi's note: You can tell us bridge players are snobs...)

RESULT???

Just what is the best contract?

Double Dummy:
N/S can make 2♣ (for 90 points), 2♠ (for 110 points), 1NT (for 90 points) and 1♥ (for 80 points)
E/W will go down 1 trick in 1♦ (to give N/S 100 points)
If N/S get any higher than those levels above they will have to give E/W 50 points for every trick they go down.

So that means (if you want to result):
Bidding either 1♠ or 2♦ (Michaels) give you the best overall result.
Passing turns out to give you the NEXT best result.
Bidding either 1NT or Double gives the next best result.
Finally Doubling and Bidding 2♥ gives the worst result. Which out of all the bids was the one I truely disliked.

Double over 4 Spades?

Hi Heidi,

For the hand below, is bidding a Double a Takeout Double? if so, how to double opponent for penalty? How should North bid the following hand? Should North double for takeout or penalty??

All vulnerable, East is dealer:

	North ♠K7 ♥A85 ♦AK932 ♣K32
West ♠98 ♥Q9 ♦Q754 ♣AQJ87		East ♠AQJT6432 ♥7 ♦T6 ♣T5
	South ♠5 ♥KJT6432 ♦J8 ♣964

N	E	S	W
	4♠	Pass	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer:

Double by North in this auction IS penalty.

You would do this with a balanced 1NT opening bid or perhaps what you feel is four tricks. Four Aces would be an example. Careful not to count an AKQ of another suit for three tricks -- they won't all be cashing in 4♠ if Declarer has a singleton!

So on this hand North has a perfect Double of 4♠!

Hopefully South will "Pass" and 4♠ should go down -- but only by 1 trick.

With such a long ♥ suit South might think of bidding 5♥ (in which case North will "Pass") and 5♥ does make but that might take a bit of fancy footwork -- especially if West leads a ♣! So probably playing in 4♠ Doubled would probably be the best realistic place to play.

If Double is Penalty then how does one make a Take Out Double of 4♠?

After an opening bid of 4♠ one plays 4NT as a Take Out Double of 4♠. You can have all three remaining suits or even just a two suited hand.

Examples:
Hand A
♠
♥AQJ5
♦AK82
♣KQJ86

or perhaps:

Hand B
♠
♥AQJT5
♦AKJ862
♣86

With Hand B if you start with 4NT and Partner bids 5♣ you intend to bid 5♦ to show you had ♦ and ♥.

Would Double of 4♥ also be Penalty?

Most tend to play that as take out but this is up to partnership agreements as to what level you play Take Out Doubles.

So after an opening bid of 4♠ or higher, Doubles are PENALTY.

But if the opening bid is lower than 4♠ the Double is TAKE OUT.

Again discuss with Partner to make sure you have the same agreement!

New 0-50 Game at my Club!

(Click on Screen Shots to enlarge them.)

Last Thursday night we started a new 0-50 game at our club.

There were a few kinks we need to iron out for sure (Zoom link didn't work for some) but we are going to try again next Thursday night at 7pm Ottawa time.

There will also be a 15 minute Zoom lesson at 6:30pm Ottawa, Ontario, Canada time. I will finish by 6:45 or so -- plenty of time to go get a snack and then sign into the game for 7pm.

If you have played in our club before (The Bridge Connection in Ottawa) and are associated with our club we invite you to come try the game out if you have 0-50 master points. We are hoping it is a less intimidating start to BBO or duplicate in general than some of our 0-750 or 0-1250 games.

If you have never played duplicate in a club and want to try and see what all the fuss is about you should be able to play in our game.

We are allowed to have some "guests" (which are members that are not associated with our club) but these spots are limited and you'll have to contact our director each week to see if those spots have been taken up yet.

So here is all the info I think you will need. Please leave me a comment if you want more information.

Who can play in the new 0-50 game?

If you have played at the Bridge Connection in Ottawa in the past you are probably connected to our club and you are most welcome to play in our game.

If you are not associated with any other club you are most welcome to play in our game. You become associated with a club by playing in that club. So if you are new to duplicate you will not be associated with another club.

If you are not sure if you can play in our 0-50 game click HERE to ask our friendly director Michael. Have your ACBL number handy to tell him.

What you need to play in the 0-50 game

1) First of all you will need an ACBL number. You can get one for free for 120 days by clicking on this link: https://acbl.site-ym.com/general/pick_username.asp

Note that you do NOT need an active ACBL number. If you have had one in the past and it has expired you can still use it. We just need the ACBL number to make sure we don't have any sharks with 5,000 masterpoints coming to our games.

2) You need a BBO username
Click HERE to see about doing that.

3) You will need some BBO$.

Click on the BBO$ Button to purchase them. You can use a credit card or PayPal. They are non-refundable so to start just get a minimum amount ($5? $10?) to see if you like the games. You can always purchase more later.

That's really all you NEED.

If you have never played in an online game at The Bridge Connection then you will need to inform our friendly director you are coming the first time you play. He needs to make sure you are "allowed" to play in the game. He would also like some contact information in case something goes wrong and he needs to call you.

Click HERE to let our friendly director know you are coming the first time.

What to do next? Play around on BBO

Bids that require ALERTS are SELF ALERTS. You need to ALERT your OWN bids -- you no longer alert your Partner's bids like in real life.

Click HERE to learn how to self alert!

How do I join your game?

First make sure you are allowed to play in any Bridge Connection game by contacting our director (see above)

Next Log onto Bridge Base

Click on Virtual Clubs

Click on ACBL - North America

You will now see a list of games running at that time.

If you see a whole bunch of games then that means you are not affiliated with any club. I only see games that I am a member of. So you will have to type in "TBC" in the Search area above and click Enter.

You can sign up for the game possibly an hour or so in advance. If you come earlier the game will not be shown. You can show up a minute before game time also. I like to sign up about 10 minutes early just in case something happens and I can't get in right away. One time I forgot I had no BB$ so I had to go purchase those.

Click game you wish to join by clicking on the "TBC Ottawa 0-50" white space area

You will get into this screen:

Here you can type in the BBO name of the person you wish to play with and click "Invite".

This will send a message to them that you wish to play with them. They can click on "Accept (5)"

5 BB$ will be taken from each of your accounts.

Now you just have to sit back and wait until the game starts. The director does all the work. You will be popped in and out of tables automatically after each round is over. Warning: the popping in and out of each round is very sudden. You don't even have a chance to say "Good Luck!" to the lovely Opponents you just met. Boom. You are gone and off to meet other wonderful people.

Where is the Zoom link?

To get to our pre-game Zoom link go to the Bridge Connection webiste: https://www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwoo/bw.cgi?pid=display_home&club=tbcottawa#home_1

and click on the Zoom link:

Self Alerts in Bridge Base Online (BBO)

(Click on Screen Shots to enlarge them.)

Online you must ALERT your OWN bids! Here how:

Here is my hand and my Partner has opened the bidding 1NT.

I have a long ♥ suit. My partner and I play Jacoby Transfers so in order to show my ♥ suit I must bid 2♦. Playing in a club game my Partner would then say "Transfer". Not online! Online I must alert my own bids.

On your bidding box there is a spot down below beside Alert: to type in what you want to tell the Opponents.

To "activate" that I first click on the "2"

Now I can type in the "Explain" section the word "Hearts".

I then complete my bid by clicking on the ♦.

A little box will pop up to tell the OPPONENTS that my bid meant I have ♥.

Note that PARTNER will NOT get your Alert. You will NOT get your Partner's Alerts. So you just have to trust your Partner DID tell the Opponents.

That's it!

Common ALERTS are Jacoby Transfers.

ACBL recently changed the Alert procedure.

Now when there is a 2♦ bid that means ♥ you no longer type "Transfer" you now say the SUIT you have -- so you type "Hearts".

Now when there is a 2♥ bid that means ♠ you no longer type "Transfer" you now say the SUIT you have -- so you type "Spades".

How to Register for Bridge Base Online

(Click on the Screen Shot to enlarge it)

Go to www.BridgeBase.com

There is a “Login/Resister” button on the top right.

Click on that.

That brings you to this screen:

Click on Register.

That brings you to this screen:

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Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

North opened 1♦. South responded with 1♠, then how should North bid? Should North have opened in 2♣??

NS vulnerable, W is dealer:

	North ♠AKQT ♥AKQ ♦QT875 ♣6
West ♠J6 ♥98762 ♦KJ6 ♣AQT		East ♠72 ♥JT53 ♦43 ♣K9874
	South ♠98543 ♥4 ♦A92 ♣J532

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
???

Heidi's Answer

When I open up the bidding 2♣ (and I am unbalanced) I am telling Partner "Hey Buddy, my hand is SOOO strong we are going to game no matter how lousy your hand is! So you'd better not pass me below game!"

This hand isn't strong enough to go to game if Partner has nothing. I like the opening bid of 1♦.

But now what? What does North bid over 1♠ to show they have ♠ support and enough to get to a game? Hmmm.

Hey how about just bidding game in ♠? So 4♠.

4♠ in NOT a shut down bid in this auction -- Partner is unlimited. 4♠ is telling Partner -- "Hey, you have six points and four ♠? We've got enough for game!" So North should have four ♠ themselves (for the fit) and about 20 points that together with South's six make enough for a game.

South is very minimum and will "Pass" 4♠. But they should make a game for sure!

(Now some partnerships have a bid called a "Splinter" that they can use on this hand to show a hand strong enough for game with ♠ support and also a singleton ♣. But that's a pretty fancy bid that most players reading this blog do not play.)

The Final Auction

	North ♠AKQT ♥AKQ ♦QT875 ♣6
West ♠J6 ♥98762 ♦KJ6 ♣AQT		East ♠72 ♥JT53 ♦43 ♣K9874
	South ♠98543 ♥4 ♦A92 ♣J532

N	E	S	W
			Pass
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

How should NS bid this hand below:

No one vulnerable, W is dealer:

a. Should North be opening with 1♣ and rebidding 3♣ with 7 Clubs but only 14 HCPs?
b. What do you recommend South bid over 3♣?
c. Is 4♣ an option for South to rebid? In general, under what condition would Responder rebid 4♣ in similar auction (Opener bid 1♣ then rebid 3♣)? Would that be a limit bid inviting Opener to go to 5♣ if Opener has a maximum hand? which is how much?

	North ♠84 ♥AK ♦86 ♣AKT9853
West ♠A953 ♥J3 ♦KJ743 ♣42		East ♠KQT7 ♥9875 ♦QT2 ♣J6
	South ♠J62 ♥QT642 ♦A95 ♣Q7

N	E	S	W
1♣	Pass	1♥	Pass
3♣	Pass	???

Heidi's Answer 1a

Should North be opening with 1♣ and rebidding 3♣ with 7 Clubs but only 14 HCPs?

This is an aggressive call by North but they have such a nice hand that I would probably have made the same bid myself.

Rebidding 2♣ can just be such an underbid considering you have all those lovely ♣!

However 3♣ will get you in trouble sometimes for sure. But life is not without risk...

Heidi's Answer 1b

What do you recommend South bid over 3♣?

South has some choices. I think all their bids work out which is nice.

South can bid 3NT. The Opponents can lead a ♠ but since ♠ are splitting nicely they can only take four tricks. N/S can easily take the other nine.

If South was worried about the ♠ suit they could bid 3♦.

Over 3♦ North might bid 3♥ and South will raised to 4♥. You'll only have a 5-2 trump fit but you should be able to take 10 tricks fairly easily.

Even if South rebid 3♥ North will raise to 4♥ which will easily make.

Note that on this hand North bidding 3♣ works out quite well for N/S. If North rebid 2♣ South would probably just "Pass" thinking Partner is just minimum.

Heidi's Answer 1c

Is 4♣ an option for South to rebid? In general, under what condition would Responder respond 4♣ in similar auction (Opener bid 1♣ then rebid 3♣)? Would that be a limit bid inviting Opener to go to 5♣ if Opener has a maximum hand? which is how much?


Playing matchpoints a 4♣ bid is NOT an option on the South hand. This goes by the ever wonderful 3NT that we always always always try to go for.