Sunday, August 30, 2020

Hand 4 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 4 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 fourth hand I generated:

North
♠82
KJ76
QT6
♣KT63
West
♠KQT65
AT3
A4
♣QJ9
East
♠J973
Q985
53
♣852
South
♠A4
42
KJ9872
♣A74

Dealer is West and everyone is vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
1NT can make by N/S!!!
2♠ makes by E/W
3 makes by N/S

Analysis

If West opens up 1NT, North will pass and East will pass. Will South come in?

If South does come to show West will probably bid 2♠. North can raise to 3. Will East compete with 3♠? Will they feel this shows more values? Perhaps not but let's say they do. N/S are unlikely to double so down 1 (minus 100) is better than letting the opponents make 3 (110).

If West opens 1♠ again North and East will pass. Will South come in?

If South does come to show West will either pass or potentially Double to say "Bid Partner". I don't think they are strong enough to do this but whatever West does North will raise to 3. Will East compete with 3♠? They are more likely to do so in this auction since they have already denied having any useful values at all with the original "Pass". Plus East knows they do have a nine card fit and this is their LAW level. N/S are unlikely to double so down 1 (minus 100) is better than letting the opponents make 3 (110).

So all things are pretty much even (I am slightly favouring 1♠ because East's original pass will show a much weaker hand over a 1♠ opening bid vs a 1NT opening bid) IF South comes in.

What if South does NOT come in?

What happens then?

If South passes West's opening bid (whatever that might be), West will go down in 1NT but make 1♠.

So this one I think is better to open 1♠ because if South does not bid you are better off playing in ♠.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Hand 3 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 3 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 third hand I generated:

North
♠Q43
8
AJ9432
♣QT3
West
♠AJ62
QT3
K7
♣A842
East
♠5
J97652
T86
♣J65
South
♠KT987
AK4
Q5
♣K97


Dealer is South and E/W are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
3NT can make
4♠ makes

Analysis

If South opens 1NT the partnership is unlikely to find their ♠ fit. North will probably get the partnership to game but most players don't have the tools to ask if their Partner has a five card major when they open 1NT.

If South opens 1♠, North might show a three card limit raise and South will certainly accept the game try with their 15 HCP.

If North instead forces to game all is good.

4♠ (420) scores better than 3NT (400).

So this hand is better to open 1♠.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Hand 2 - 1NT or 1 Spade?

This is chapter 2 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 second hand I generated:

North
♠AT63
83
T86
♣T965
West
♠J2
AT954
K2
♣J743
East
♠Q9854
KQJ
AQ4
♣K8
South
♠K7
762
J9753
♣AQ2


Dealer is East and N/S are vulnerable.

Double Dummy:
3NT can make
3 makes

Analysis

If East opens 1NT West will transfer to their suit and then bid 2NT to invite game.

East will accept the game try since they have 17 HCP and will no doubt bid 4 since they have a fit.

4 can go down.

You can see right away the Opponents can take two ♠ tricks and two ♣ tricks. Even if they don't take them right away it will be hard for East to get enough winners.

3NT will be much easier to make. Declarer has 8 tricks right off the top and they can easily set up a 9th trick in ♠.

If East opens 1♠ then it will be hard for them to find their fit. West is too weak to bid 2 so they must bid 1NT. East with 17 HCP might just invite with 2NT now. West will probably just raise to 3NT.

So this one I think is better to open 1♠ because you don't find the 5-3 fit which doesn't make.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Strong Balanced Hand Bidding

Here are some ways to bid (or investigate) slams over any NT opening hand.

Note that these bids all mean the same whether or not Opener opened the bidding:
1NT to show a balanced hand with 15 to 17 HCP
2NT to show a balanced hand with 20 or 21 HCP
3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP
2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP or
2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

If your NT ranges are slightly different then just change the points Responder needs to make the bid. If Opener has more points, Responder needs fewer points -- that just makes sense.

Note that some people will open 3NT with a balanced 25 to 27 HCP but others start with a 2♣ bid. Both work so it really doesn't matter which one you use.

The bids in this post all assume that Responder does NOT have a four card major (then they would bid Stayman) or a five+ card major (then they would make a Jacoby Transfer).

Point count needed to bid a slam


With a balanced hand opposite a balanced hand you need:
33 HCP to bid a Small Slam
(You should not have only 32 HCP -- Missing 8 HCP you could be missing two Aces! Not good at the 6 level.)

37 HCP to bid a Grand Slam
(You should not have only 36 HCP -- Missing 4 HCP you could be missing one Ace! Not good at the 7 level.)

Quantitative 4NT


If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 4NT right away is asking Opener to bid 6NT if they are at the top of their range and "Pass" the 4NT bid if they are at the bottom of their range.

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 16 or 17 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 12 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 6 or 7 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 9 or 10 HCP to bid 4NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 6 or 7 HCP to bid 4NT.

5NT


If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 5NT right away is asking Opener to bid 6NT if they are at the bottom of their range and bid 7NT if they are at the top of their range. Note that this bid is 100% FORCING!!!

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 20 or 21 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 16 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 10 or 11 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 13 or 14 HCP to bid 5NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 10 or 11 HCP to bid 5NT.

6NT


If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 6NT right away is just setting the contract. Responder wants to play in a small slam and no higher. Opener must "Pass".

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 18 or 19 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 13 to 15 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 8 or 9 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 11 or 12 HCP to bid 6NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 8 or 9 HCP to bid 6NT.

7NT


If Opener opens the bidding ANY number of NT (see the five possibilities above), a bid of 7NT right away is just setting the contract. Responder wants to play in a gram slam. Opener must "Pass".

Responder's values will differ for this bid because it totally depends on what range Opener has.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 1NT showing 15 to 17 HCP

Responder would need 22 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2NT showing 20 or 21 HCP

Responder would need 17 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 3NT showing 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 12 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 2NT to show a balanced hand with 22 to 24 HCP

Responder would need 15 or more HCP to bid 7NT.

Point count Responder needs if Opener opens 2♣ followed by 3NT to show a balanced hand with 25 to 27 HCP

Responder would need 12 or more HCP to bid 7NT.


Do you need to memorize all these point counts?


No! That is hard work. Just remember what the each of the different bids ask Partner and memorize how many points you need for a small slam and a grand slam. Then do the math.

4NT -- asks Opener to "Pass" with a MINIMUM and bid 6NT with a MAXIMUM
5NT -- asks Opener to bid 6NT with a MINIMUM and bid 7NT with a MAXIMUM
6NT -- asks Opener to "Pass" since you want the partnership to be in a small slam only
7NT -- asks Opener to "Pass" since you want the partnership to be in a grand slam

25 or 26 to 33 HCP -- Game only
33 HCP -- Small Slam
37 HCP -- Grand Slam

A) You know how many points Partner (Opener) has -- their opening bid told you. Perfect!
B) You know how many points you have in your hand. Just count them.
C) Do the math to see where you belong if Partner (Opener) has the MINIMUM of their range.
D) Do the math to see where you belong if Partner (Opener) has the MAXIMUM of the range.

If the answer is the same -- just make that BID!
If the answer is different -- you need to ASK!

Example 1

Here is my hand:
♠AQ3
K9
QT65
♣QJ63

My Partner opens up the bidding 2NT. I know they have 20 or 21 HCP.

I count my HCP. I have 14 HCP.

If Partner has 20 HCP (their minimum), that together with my 14 HCP means the partnership has 34 HCP. This is enough to bid 6NT but not enough to bid 7NT.
If Partner has 21 HCP (their maximum), that together with my 14 HCP means the partnership has 35 HCP. This is enough to bid 6NT but not enough to bid 7NT.

So not matter how many points Partner has I know the contract belongs in 6NT.

I bid 6NT.

Example 2

Here is my hand:
♠KQ3
97
QT65
♣T643

My Partner opens up the bidding 3NT. I know they have 25 to 27 HCP.

I count my HCP. I have 7 HCP.

If Partner has 25 HCP (their minimum), that together with my 7 HCP means the partnership has 32 HCP. This is enough to be in a game but NOT enough to bid 6NT. We can't quite make the small slam.
If Partner has 27 HCP (their maximum), that together with my 7 HCP means the partnership has 34 HCP. This is enough to bid 6NT but not enough to bid 7NT.

So if Partner is MINIMUM I want be playing in a game only.
However if Partner is MAXIMUM I want be playing in 6NT.

How do I ask Partner to stop below 6NT if they are MINIMUM but bid 6NT if they are MAXIMUM?

That is the 4NT bid.

I bid 4NT to ask Partner if they are MINIMUM or MAXIMUM for their range.

Want some practice on slam bidding?

First of all you need a Partner. Grab your favourite Partner and ask them to bid with you.

To start with you click on the link to get to the North hands. Click HERE to get the North hands!

Tell your Partner to click on the link to get to the South hands. Click HERE to get the South hands!

North will start the bidding. They can open whatever they want. (Hint: Since these are balanced hand slams North will be opening some number of NTs if they play the same ranges as above.)

Once North bids, South will make a bid.

Back to North to make another bid

Back to South to make another bid

and so on until ONE person says "Pass"

the auction ends and you have arrived in your contract.

If you would like to see the auction I suggest please click HERE.

Enjoy!!!

Please leave a comment if you find the bidding hands useful. I can make more if people are enjoying them.

Suggested Bidding for Strong Balanced Hands Bidding

Hand 1

North
♠AK82
KJT2
AT
♣AJ2

South
♠J6
A54
K965
♣KQT9

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 2

North
♠AKQ2
KJ6
AK83
♣KJ

South
♠J3
A42
QJ4
♣AQ853

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 5NT
7NT Pass


Hand 3

North
♠Q75
AJ8
AQ4
♣QT42

South
♠AK
K62
KJ982
♣KJ3

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 4

North
♠AK3
AQ42
AK8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 5

North
♠83
A87
AQ76
♣AJ85

South
♠AJ6
Q9
KJ93
♣KQ94

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 6

North
♠AQ7
QJ8
K54
♣KQ42

South
♠KT2
KT3
AQ72
♣AJT

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 7

North
♠T4
AKJ6
QJ76
♣A86

South
♠AQ6
Q2
AK3
♣KJT52

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 8

North
♠KJ
Q643
AKQ2
♣AK4

South
♠753
AK7
T93
♣QJ63

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 9

North
♠AQT5
KJ87
KQ6
♣83

South
♠K72
A6
AJ92
♣AK76

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 10

North
♠AK3
AQ42
AK8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 11

North
♠Q6
KQ32
AK43
♣AQ3

South
♠A7
AJT
Q752
♣KT74

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 12

North
♠AT5
A52
AQ75
♣K86

South
♠KQ3
KQ7
KJ6
♣AQJ7

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 5NT
7NT Pass


Hand 13

North
♠AK3
AQ42
AK8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 14

North
♠A52
KJ
Q84
♣AK872

South
♠KQ6
A63
AKT7
♣T65

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 15

North
♠AK82
KJ6
AK83
♣KJ

South
♠QJ3
A42
QJ4
♣A853

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 5NT
6NT Pass


Hand 16

North
♠AK3
AQ42
KQ8
♣AQJ

South
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 17

North
♠QJT
AQ
K832
♣AKQ6

South
♠A87
98
AQJ4
♣JT75

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 18

North
♠A2
KJT4
AK7
♣KQ72

South
♠KJ7
A98
62
♣AJT85

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 19

North
♠KQ9
KJ7
KJ54
♣AKQ

South
♠A7
63
AQ962
♣J965

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 20

North
♠KQJ
QT6
AQ65
♣K86

South
♠A96
AK4
J72
♣AJ95

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 21

North
♠AT2
AKQ8
KQJ9
♣AQ

South
♠KQ6
J63
AT5
♣J753

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 5NT
6NT Pass


Hand 22

North
♠A97
QJ8
K54
♣KQ42

South
♠KT2
KT3
AQ72
♣AJT

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 23

North
♠KQ2
KJ43
AKT
♣A92

South
♠AJ8
AQ9
QJ43
♣KJ8

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 7NT
Pass


Hand 24

North
♠AT2
AKQ8
KQJ9
♣AQ

South
♠KQ6
J63
AT5
♣J753

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 5NT
6NT Pass


Hand 25

North
♠Q4
AQ9
754
♣AK643

South
♠AKJ
J6
KJ8
♣QJ972

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 26

North
♠AQ
AKJ
Q53
♣AK987

South
♠KJ7
63
AJ4
♣QJ642

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 27

North
♠AT5
A52
AQ75
♣K86

South
♠KQ3
KQ7
JT6
♣AQJ7

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 28

North
♠AKQ9
AJ5
A9
♣AQ42

South
♠J54
Q3
QJ63
♣KJT6

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 29

North
♠QT4
AQ
K832
♣AKQ6

South
♠A87
98
AQJ4
♣JT75

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 30

North
♠J64
AQJ
AQJ2
♣AKJ

South
♠AQ3
K32
94
♣QT974

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 31

North
♠AQJ8
AQ65
K9
♣AJ7

South
♠72
AT4
KJ82
♣KQ32

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 32

North
♠A52
Q4
Q84
♣AK872

South
♠KQ6
A63
AKT7
♣T65

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 33

North
♠AJ2
AQJ
Q76
♣KT93

South
♠KQ8
K65
KJT2
♣AJ7

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 34

North
♠KJT4
A2
KQ72
♣AK7

South
♠A98
KJ7
AJT85
♣62

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 35

North
♠AKJ6
T4
A86
♣QJ76

South
♠Q2
AQ6
KJT52
♣AK3

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 36

North
♠KJ6
AKQ2
KJ
♣AK83

South
♠A42
J3
AQ853
♣QJ4

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 5NT
7NT Pass


Hand 37

North
♠KJ87
AQT5
83
♣KQ6

South
♠A6
K72
AK76
♣AJ92

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 38

North
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣AK8

South
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 39

North
♠AQ
QJT
AKQ6
♣K832

South
♠98
A87
JT75
♣AQJ4

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 40

North
♠QJ8
A97
KQ42
♣K54

South
♠KT3
KT2
AJT
♣AQ72

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 41

North
♠QT6
KQJ
K86
♣AQ65

South
♠AK4
A96
AJ95
♣J72

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 42

North
♠AQ
QT4
AKQ6
♣K832

South
♠98
A87
JT75
♣AQJ4

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 43

North
♠KQ32
Q6
AQ3
♣AK43

South
♠AJT
A7
KT74
♣Q752

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 44

North
♠AJ5
AKQ9
AQ42
♣A9

South
♠Q3
J54
KJT6
♣QJ63

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 45

North
♠AQ9
Q4
AK643
♣754

South
♠J6
AKJ
QJ972
♣KJ8

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 46

North
♠AQ65
AQJ8
AJ7
♣K9

South
♠AT4
72
KQ32
♣KJ82

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 47

North
♠AQJ
AJ2
KT93
♣Q76

South
♠K65
KQ8
AJ7
♣KJT2

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 48

North
♠AKJ
AQ
AK987
♣Q53

South
♠63
KJ7
QJ642
♣AJ4

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 49

North
♠Q643
KJ
AK4
♣AKQ2

South
♠AK7
753
QJ63
♣T93

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 50

North
♠KJ6
AK82
KJ
♣AK83

South
♠A42
QJ3
A853
♣QJ4

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 5NT
6NT Pass


Hand 51

North
♠KJ43
KQ2
A92
♣AKT

South
♠AQ9
AJ8
KJ8
♣QJ43

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 7NT
Pass


Hand 52

North
♠KJ7
KQ9
AKQ
♣KJ54

South
♠63
A7
J965
♣AQ962

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 53

North
♠AKQ8
AT2
AQ
♣KQJ9

South
♠J63
KQ6
J753
♣AT5

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 5NT
6NT Pass


Hand 54

North
♠Q4
A52
AK872
♣Q84

South
♠A63
KQ6
T65
♣AKT7

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 55

North
♠AKQ8
AT2
AQ
♣KQJ9

South
♠J63
KQ6
J753
♣AT5

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 5NT
6NT Pass


Hand 56

North
♠KJT2
AK82
AJ2
♣AT

South
♠A54
J6
KQT9
♣K965

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 57

North
♠A52
AT5
K86
♣AQ75

South
♠KQ7
KQ3
AQJ7
♣KJ6

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 5NT
7NT Pass


Hand 58

North
♠KJ
A52
AK872
♣Q84

South
♠A63
KQ6
T65
♣AKT7

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 59

North
♠AJ8
Q75
QT42
♣AQ4

South
♠K62
AK
KJ3
♣KJ982

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 60

North
♠AQJ
J64
AKJ
♣AQJ2

South
♠K32
AQ3
QT974
♣94

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
2NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 61

North
♠A52
AT5
K86
♣AQ75

South
♠KQ7
KQ3
AQJ7
♣JT6

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 6NT
Pass


Hand 62

North
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣KQ8

South
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 63

North
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣AK8

South
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 64

North
♠A87
83
AJ85
♣AQ76

South
♠Q9
AJ6
KQ94
♣KJ93

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
Pass


Hand 65

North
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣AK8

South
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Suggested Bidding:
North South
2♣ 2
3NT 4NT
6NT Pass


Hand 66

North
♠QJ8
AQ7
KQ42
♣K54

South
♠KT3
KT2
AJT
♣AQ72

Suggested Bidding:
North South
1NT 4NT
6NT Pass


South Hands for Strong Balanced Hand Bidding

Hand 1
♠J6
A54
K965
♣KQT9

Hand 2
♠J3
A42
QJ4
♣AQ853

Hand 3
♠AK
K62
KJ982
♣KJ3

Hand 4
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Hand 5
♠AJ6
Q9
KJ93
♣KQ94

Hand 6
♠KT2
KT3
AQ72
♣AJT

Hand 7
♠AQ6
Q2
AK3
♣KJT52

Hand 8
♠753
AK7
T93
♣QJ63

Hand 9
♠K72
A6
AJ92
♣AK76

Hand 10
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Hand 11
♠A7
AJT
Q752
♣KT74

Hand 12
♠KQ3
KQ7
KJ6
♣AQJ7

Hand 13
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Hand 14
♠KQ6
A63
AKT7
♣T65

Hand 15
♠QJ3
A42
QJ4
♣A853

Hand 16
♠QJ7
JT6
8765
♣K74

Hand 17
♠A87
98
AQJ4
♣JT75

Hand 18
♠KJ7
A98
62
♣AJT85

Hand 19
♠A7
63
AQ962
♣J965

Hand 20
♠A96
AK4
J72
♣AJ95

Hand 21
♠KQ6
J63
AT5
♣J753

Hand 22
♠KT2
KT3
AQ72
♣AJT

Hand 23
♠AJ8
AQ9
QJ43
♣KJ8

Hand 24
♠KQ6
J63
AT5
♣J753

Hand 25
♠AKJ
J6
KJ8
♣QJ972

Hand 26
♠KJ7
63
AJ4
♣QJ642

Hand 27
♠KQ3
KQ7
JT6
♣AQJ7

Hand 28
♠J54
Q3
QJ63
♣KJT6

Hand 29
♠A87
98
AQJ4
♣JT75

Hand 30
♠AQ3
K32
94
♣QT974

Hand 31
♠72
AT4
KJ82
♣KQ32

Hand 32
♠KQ6
A63
AKT7
♣T65

Hand 33
♠KQ8
K65
KJT2
♣AJ7

Hand 34
♠A98
KJ7
AJT85
♣62

Hand 35
♠Q2
AQ6
KJT52
♣AK3

Hand 36
♠A42
J3
AQ853
♣QJ4

Hand 37
♠A6
K72
AK76
♣AJ92

Hand 38
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Hand 39
♠98
A87
JT75
♣AQJ4

Hand 40
♠KT3
KT2
AJT
♣AQ72

Hand 41
♠AK4
A96
AJ95
♣J72

Hand 42
♠98
A87
JT75
♣AQJ4

Hand 43
♠AJT
A7
KT74
♣Q752

Hand 44
♠Q3
J54
KJT6
♣QJ63

Hand 45
♠J6
AKJ
QJ972
♣KJ8

Hand 46
♠AT4
72
KQ32
♣KJ82

Hand 47
♠K65
KQ8
AJ7
♣KJT2

Hand 48
♠63
KJ7
QJ642
♣AJ4

Hand 49
♠AK7
753
QJ63
♣T93

Hand 50
♠A42
QJ3
A853
♣QJ4

Hand 51
♠AQ9
AJ8
KJ8
♣QJ43

Hand 52
♠63
A7
J965
♣AQ962

Hand 53
♠J63
KQ6
J753
♣AT5

Hand 54
♠A63
KQ6
T65
♣AKT7

Hand 55
♠J63
KQ6
J753
♣AT5

Hand 56
♠A54
J6
KQT9
♣K965

Hand 57
♠KQ7
KQ3
AQJ7
♣KJ6

Hand 58
♠A63
KQ6
T65
♣AKT7

Hand 59
♠K62
AK
KJ3
♣KJ982

Hand 60
♠K32
AQ3
QT974
♣94

Hand 61
♠KQ7
KQ3
AQJ7
♣JT6

Hand 62
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Hand 63
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Hand 64
♠Q9
AJ6
KQ94
♣KJ93

Hand 65
♠JT6
QJ7
K74
♣8765

Hand 66
♠KT3
KT2
AJT
♣AQ72

Post settings Labels Published on 8/15/20, 4:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time Permalink Location Options

North Hands for Strong Balanced Hand Bidding

Hand 1
♠AK82
KJT2
AT
♣AJ2

Hand 2
♠AKQ2
KJ6
AK83
♣KJ

Hand 3
♠Q75
AJ8
AQ4
♣QT42

Hand 4
♠AK3
AQ42
AK8
♣AQJ

Hand 5
♠83
A87
AQ76
♣AJ85

Hand 6
♠AQ7
QJ8
K54
♣KQ42

Hand 7
♠T4
AKJ6
QJ76
♣A86

Hand 8
♠KJ
Q643
AKQ2
♣AK4

Hand 9
♠AQT5
KJ87
KQ6
♣83

Hand 10
♠AK3
AQ42
AK8
♣AQJ

Hand 11
♠Q6
KQ32
AK43
♣AQ3

Hand 12
♠AT5
A52
AQ75
♣K86

Hand 13
♠AK3
AQ42
AK8
♣AQJ

Hand 14
♠A52
KJ
Q84
♣AK872

Hand 15
♠AK82
KJ6
AK83
♣KJ

Hand 16
♠AK3
AQ42
KQ8
♣AQJ

Hand 17
♠QJT
AQ
K832
♣AKQ6

Hand 18
♠A2
KJT4
AK7
♣KQ72

Hand 19
♠KQ9
KJ7
KJ54
♣AKQ

Hand 20
♠KQJ
QT6
AQ65
♣K86

Hand 21
♠AT2
AKQ8
KQJ9
♣AQ

Hand 22
♠A97
QJ8
K54
♣KQ42

Hand 23
♠KQ2
KJ43
AKT
♣A92

Hand 24
♠AT2
AKQ8
KQJ9
♣AQ

Hand 25
♠Q4
AQ9
754
♣AK643

Hand 26
♠AQ
AKJ
Q53
♣AK987

Hand 27
♠AT5
A52
AQ75
♣K86

Hand 28
♠AKQ9
AJ5
A9
♣AQ42

Hand 29
♠QT4
AQ
K832
♣AKQ6

Hand 30
♠J64
AQJ
AQJ2
♣AKJ

Hand 31
♠AQJ8
AQ65
K9
♣AJ7

Hand 32
♠A52
Q4
Q84
♣AK872

Hand 33
♠AJ2
AQJ
Q76
♣KT93

Hand 34
♠KJT4
A2
KQ72
♣AK7

Hand 35
♠AKJ6
T4
A86
♣QJ76

Hand 36
♠KJ6
AKQ2
KJ
♣AK83

Hand 37
♠KJ87
AQT5
83
♣KQ6

Hand 38
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣AK8

Hand 39
♠AQ
QJT
AKQ6
♣K832

Hand 40
♠QJ8
A97
KQ42
♣K54

Hand 41
♠QT6
KQJ
K86
♣AQ65

Hand 42
♠AQ
QT4
AKQ6
♣K832

Hand 43
♠KQ32
Q6
AQ3
♣AK43

Hand 44
♠AJ5
AKQ9
AQ42
♣A9

Hand 45
♠AQ9
Q4
AK643
♣754

Hand 46
♠AQ65
AQJ8
AJ7
♣K9

Hand 47
♠AQJ
AJ2
KT93
♣Q76

Hand 48
♠AKJ
AQ
AK987
♣Q53

Hand 49
♠Q643
KJ
AK4
♣AKQ2

Hand 50
♠KJ6
AK82
KJ
♣AK83

Hand 51
♠KJ43
KQ2
A92
♣AKT

Hand 52
♠KJ7
KQ9
AKQ
♣KJ54

Hand 53
♠AKQ8
AT2
AQ
♣KQJ9

Hand 54
♠Q4
A52
AK872
♣Q84

Hand 55
♠AKQ8
AT2
AQ
♣KQJ9

Hand 56
♠KJT2
AK82
AJ2
♣AT

Hand 57
♠A52
AT5
K86
♣AQ75

Hand 58
♠KJ
A52
AK872
♣Q84

Hand 59
♠AJ8
Q75
QT42
♣AQ4

Hand 60
♠AQJ
J64
AKJ
♣AQJ2

Hand 61
♠A52
AT5
K86
♣AQ75

Hand 62
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣KQ8

Hand 63
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣AK8

Hand 64
♠A87
83
AJ85
♣AQ76

Hand 65
♠AQ42
AK3
AQJ
♣AK8

Hand 66
♠QJ8
AQ7
KQ42
♣K54

Friday, August 14, 2020

Question 5

Hi Heidi,

We encountered a number of challenging hands (to us) in bidding lately. Please provide us some insight:

How should N rebid with his hand?

Should N have opened with 1 in the third seat after partner has Passed and N has a strong hand?

NS vulnerable, S is dealer:

North
♠A
KT97
AQT4
♣AQ72
West
♠K9764
862
K765
♣5
East
♠T5
AQ4
832
♣KT642
South
♠QJ832
J53
J9
♣J98

N E S W
Pass Pass
1 Pass 1♠ Pass
???

Heidi's Answer


Absolutely North should open 1. They are too weak to open a strong 2♣ bid so must open at the 1 level.

After South responds, North knows the partnership belongs in game. They can REVERSE into their four card suit. South will rebid 2♠ to show a five card suit and North will then jump to 3NT.

Instead of making a reverse North can tell Partner they are strong by making a JUMP SHIFT. They can rebid 3♣. This now shows an unbalanced hand that wants to get to game even if South is minimum for their response.

What does South do now? They must bid.

Probably doesn't matter what they do. If South rebids 3NT then North will "Pass". If South rebids 3♠ then North will bid 3NT and South will "Pass".

Any other options over 1♠?

North can rebid 2NT. But South is allowed to "Pass" that bid and probably would since they are weak. That would not be a good bid by North especially with their singleton.

North can rebid 3NT depending on what you play that as. If you have no agreement South will probably just "Pass" out of fright.

So all roads on this hand lead to 3NT. Which should be a fine contract to be in.