Responding

Playing matchpoints. Neither you nor the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K862
♥9432
♦AJ93
♣7

Your Partner is Dealer and opens the bidding 1♦. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass".

What is your call?

Show Answer

1♥

Four card suits UP THE LINE.

Yes, your ♥ are pretty bad.

Yes, your ♠ are better.

However if you respond 1♠ Partner is NOT allowed to tell you they have four ♥ unless they are very strong. So they must rebid 1NT.

Now you cannot show your ♥ and you missed your best fit!

Responding to Stayman

Playing matchpoints. Both you and the Opponents are vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠KQT
♥543
♦KJ73
♣AQT

You are Dealer and decide to open the bidding 1NT. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) says "Pass". Your Partner bids responds 2♣. This is Stayman. Partner is asking if you have a four card major. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bids 2♥.

What is your call?

Show Answer

Just "Pass".

You don't have four ♠ and Partner might even have four ♥! Though doubtful.

"Pass" and see what Partner can do. If they have values (which they should have to bid Stayman) they will make a bid.

Terms Bridge Players use

I use quite a few sayings and acronyms on this Blog. I'm going to try to list them all on this post for easy reference! Black suits -- ♠ and ♣ -- named for their colour
HCP -- High Card Points
LHO -- Left Hand Opponent
Pointy suits -- ♠ and ♦ -- named for their shape
Red suits -- ♥ and ♦ -- named for their colour
RHO -- Right Hand Opponent
Round suits -- ♥ and ♣ -- named for their shape
Ruff -- to trump something
Ruff/Sluff -- to trump something in one hand and throw away a loser in another hand