Bid?

Playing matchpoints. Neither side is vulnerable.

Here is your hand:
♠K32
♥T7
♦KQ743
♣932

Partner opens the bidding 3♠. Your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) says "Pass". What is your call?

Show Answer

I hope you bid 4♠! Raise Partner to their LAW level! (Partner has seven trump -- you have three. That's ten trump. Ten tricks is the four level.)

Think about it. Partner is weak (they opened with a pre-empt) and you've only got eight points. That means the OPPONENTS probably have enough to make a game!

If you "Pass" you make it easy on your LHO (Left Hand Opponent). They will come in with their suit (or maybe "Double"?) and they will bid the game.

If you bid 4♠ now your LHO has to make a FIVE LEVEL OVERCALL.

That takes not only a really good hand but a certain amount of guts to do that. Maybe they will chicken out and let you have the contract for 4♠.

Even if Partner goes down seven or eight tricks (unlikely!) it is better to do that then have the Opponents bid their game.

Turns out your Partner will even make 4♠ if they guess everything right!

But guess what? The Opponents can make a small slam in ♣ and also a small slam in ♥.

Most players bid 4♥ if they were allowed to.

Only one player bid 5♥.