Bidding Question

Hi Heidi,

We came across a hand that we didn't know how to bid today:

EW Vulnerable, N is dealer:

	North ♠QT82 ♥4 ♦K976 ♣Q764
West ♠A7 ♥Q7 ♦A53 ♣AKT985		East ♠95 ♥KT85 ♦QJ42 ♣J32
	South ♠KJ643 ♥AJ9632 ♦T8 ♣

N	E	S	W
Pass	Pass	2♥	3♣
Pass	Pass	???

Question: Should South have bid 3♠?

Heidi's Answer

"6-5 Come ALIVE! Bid until you are Doubled, Game or Slam!" was one on my mom's favourite sayings. This hand certainly qualifies!

I would say the South hand is just TOO good to open a weak 2 with that distribution. They should either open at the 1 level (which is fine since they are in third seat) or potentially "Pass" and come in later. Since they are in 3rd seat I would open the bidding for sure. (If Partner wasn't a passed hand I still might open at the 1 level but I also might "Pass" and hope to show a distributional hand with majors later on. Depends on my mood. Certainly the colours are right for bidding.)

But in third seat open at the 1 level. You are allowed to (even encouraged to!) open weaker hands in third seat.

But what to open?

If you open 1♥ you risk not being able to show your ♠ suit. If Partner bids 1NT, bidding 2♠ is a reverse showing a strong distributional hand.

Another option is to open 1♠ and rebid 2♥ showing a 5-4 or 5-5 hand depending on the auction. But this will never get across to Partner you have longer ♥.

Unfortunately you have to make a choice. But fortunately I think either bid works here.

If South opens 1♥, West will probably bid 2♣. Now North can Double to show ♠ and ♦ (Negative Double). East will bid 3♣ but South can now bid either 3♠ (minimum) or 4♠ (if they realize the potential of their 6-5.) After a 3♠ bid by South the Opponents might compete with 4♣ -- West is very strong -- but that just might push N/S into their 4♠ game.

If South opens 1♠, West will probably bid 2♣. Now North will show some sort of ♠ raise. Either a limit raise (with a 3♣ bid) or a simple raise with a 2♠ bid. After a limit raise South should bid game on their distribution alone. After a simple raise of 2♠, East will bid 3♣ and South can make a game try with 3♥. West might bid 4♣ but even if they don't, North should bid 4♠ since they can help stop the ♥ losers with their singleton and extra trump.

If West bids to 5♣ North should certainly DOUBLE them. PENALTY.

South might have some stressful moments with the Double (after all they don't have many points and/or tricks with all their bidding) but should trust their partner and sit for it. Partner should only count on them for having a distributional hand with the majors which is exactly what they have.

If South leads a ♠ the Defence will certainly take this contract down three for 800 points. Even a lead of their singleton ♥ should take the contract down two for 500. Either one makes up for the NS game (420).

Suggested Auction

I think South should just open 1♠ in third set. You plan on telling Partner you have the majors and let them choose which one to play in. I'd hate to give up on the ♠ suit by opening 1♥.

North will probably just give a simple raise to 2♠.

South can now show their ♥ suit looking for a potential game. 6-5 Come Alive!

North should bid the game with their singleton ♥ and extra trump.

West will probably be in there since they do have quite a strong hand. Sometimes points do not equal tricks unfortunately! I assume they will try to defeat the Opponents rather than bidding 5♣. If they do decide to bid 5♣ North should DOUBLE and West will be sorry.

	North ♠QT82 ♥4 ♦K976 ♣Q764
West ♠A7 ♥Q7 ♦A53 ♣AKT985		East ♠95 ♥KT85 ♦QJ42 ♣J32
	South ♠KJ643 ♥AJ9632 ♦T8 ♣

N	E	S	W
Pass	Pass	1♠	2♣
2♠	3♣	3♥	4♣
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass