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                             A Bidding Dilemma!

One would normally be more than happy to hold a 21 hcp hand. However, there are some drawbacks with the one we hold below. The first is the shape, 4441, not an easy shape to evaluate as we hold no long suit. Then, one of our opponents opened the bidding showing 12-14. That does not leave very many high card points for our partner.

So, should we try to play the hand and if so at what level? After all, the opponents’ bidding has already ruled out one of our suits as trumps. Or should we defend, maybe pick-up +200 in a part-score deal?

Some tough decisions to make. Let’s call on The Panel for help. 

 

1NT is 12-14 and 2 a transfer showing 5+spades. Would you take a bid at this point? What is your plan?

It is common to double a transfer bid (2) above as a penalty double, probably lead directional for hearts. Matt has a different approach:

Matt Brown “ Double first. Over a weak 1NT I play this as a hand that would have penalised 1NT which is a very suitable agreement for this hand. This way if partner can muster up a take-out double, I can pass, and if not, I will likely make a take-out X myself. This at least keeps 4 in the picture. If partner makes their expected club bid, I'll be bidding 3NT.”

Agreeing with the interpretation of the first double is:

Michael Cornell “ Double 2 Pretty easy. This shows a penalty X of 1NT.

Now when partner passes 2 with a shortage, I know he has limited values and if I needed a top, I would be tempted to pass and just play for a plus!

However, under normal circumstances, I will bid 2NT which is approx19-21(22).

I am good for my bid but I will make very little opposite nothing but partner can stayman and I would love to play 4 opposite a 4- card suit and just say the J.”

Others seem to have a more standard approach to a double of 2.

Bruce Anderson: Double: doubling a transfer bid usually shows length and strength in the suit bid and the values to compete at the two level. I do not have length in hearts but I can see no other way of trying to describe this hand. 2NT would be a take-out to the minors; passing and doubling over 2 sounds like a balancing take out.

After 2 is passed back to me, I will bid 2NT. Pass could be considered, thereby trying to get a good result by defending, but if partner has length in hearts, game is almost certain. After my 2NT, 3 by partner should be Stayman and 3 a transfer, just as if I had doubled and bid 1 or 2 NT’s over an opening bid. If I am left to play 2NT, partner, who is short in spades, is likely to have a club stop.”

Nigel Kearney “Double is fine the first time. Over 2 it is not easy. We probably get 200 by passing so we want to bid when we have a game and not otherwise, but that depends on whether partner has a bad hand or a very bad hand, and either is possible. In a strong field I might pass, but in a normal Pairs field I would bid 2NT because the room will be bidding and at least I can avoid a bottom and try to play it better than them.”

Pam Livingston “Double (lead directing) and pass.  Aargh! Best hand of the day and it’s very hard to find a bid.  I will tell partner I have some hearts (and some values) by doubling 2.  With four hearts, partner will usually compete to 3 unless they have next to nothing and I can raise to 4.  Otherwise I am going to pass 2 and hopefully take a positive.

Peter Newell “Double – particularly if I know that West will pass with a doubleton spade. There are only 5-7 points between partner and East: so not much. If partner has singleton or possibly a spade void, then it is likely that we have a red suit fit:  e.g. 4 card red suit,5 card club suit. It will play well in a red suit as we will be able to ruff spades in partner’s hand, and West will have to follow to 3 rounds. However, if partner has a doubleton spade, then I think game is odds against – maybe 3NT but that will need some useful clubs in dummy.

So, my plan is Double. Then if West passes and East bids 2,  I’ll pass. I doubt we can make game in this scenario: so I’ll defend.  If West passes and partner bids 3, I’ll bid 3NT. If West bids 2 and it is passed around to me, I will double again as partner very likely has short spades. If partner bids 3, I will probably bid 3/ which gives partner a chance to raise, bid 3, or pass.”

That is the mainstream approach to an initial double though Stephen has other ideas:

Stephen Blackstock “Firstly I double, which for me is take-out of hearts (yes, hearts!), or any strong hand.

After they retreat to 2, I can either (a) bid 2NT, now natural, or (b) pass.

Obviously 2NT is not ideal, West may have 5 or 6 clubs to run, and I am well short of 8 tricks. But it more or less describes the shape and values, and we have the full range of system available as over a 2NT opening, so we will not miss a heart fit.

Pass is the interesting option at match-points. Clearly, we expect to beat 2; +200 would not be a surprise. If we can’t make a game (or anything for that matter), or if the right contract is difficult to bid, then ANY plus could well be a good score. I suspect this is the practical, percentage approach.

Alas we play match-points for fun (it’s hardly bridge!), so I’m not sure that I could bring myself to defend 2 at the table. We hold enough dross where pass throughout is inevitable, without doing the same holding one of our few good hands.

  One left field suggestion: if partner doesn’t bid a minor or 2NT scramble over 2, the chances he has some heart length is increased. So 3 is not such a wild shot opposite an understanding partner!”

So, an interesting range of ideas including of the immediate double, and also of the subsequent 2NT showing the point range held and whether we should pass the hand out and score +200. At the table, South doubled initially to show hearts and then doubled 2 ostensibly for take-out (though 2NT would have worked too as long as North could bid 3 to show both minors). It was left for North to take an unexpected action:

 

West showed 3+ spades with 2 and when North volunteered 2NT for the minors, South went the whole way and was not to be disappointed when there was a favourable diamond break. 3NT was also destined to make, 9 tricks on the high club lead and J continuation.

Defending 2 was not such a good idea…only +100 this time.

   keep

                                                        ding

A Cunning Plan.

 

After two passes, South had a thought. It would be nice to open 1, hear partner bid 1, raise to 3 and see partner receive a club lead, an unbid suit, to 4, with diamond losers able to be discarded on high clubs. Oh, yes, partner would hold the K. 

Well, dreams sometimes come true. That was indeed the bidding and East did lead a medium club….and North did hold the K…and did the plan work? Almost. There was just one problem. What was it?

Until tomorrow.

Richard Solomon

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