SEO Version
B B
6
B
ETTER
V
OL
. 16, N
O
. 2
B
RIDGE
N
OVEMBER
/D
ECEMBER
2011
Point of View
Henry Francis
Hall of Fame member
and editor of
T
HE
O
FFICIAL
E
NCYCLOPEDIA OF
B
RIDGE
.
Sean Quinn
Top-ranked
female player.
Andrew Robson
European and North
American Champion.
Fred Gitelman
Gold medalist and
Bill Gates’ coach.
1. V
UL
: N
ONE
D
LR
: W
EST
Fred:
Pass — While it is possible that we belong in
game, in some other trump suit, or in notrump, experience
dictates that it is best to get out low on potentially
misfitting hands. Besides that, diamonds is the only suit
in which I know we have at least seven combined
trumps, and it is not as if there are any especially
attractive alternatives.
Andrew:
2 — We may play the wrong partscore if
partner’s pattern is 5–1–4–3, but bidding 2 may get us
to a good game if partner is 5–3–4–1.
Shawn:
Pass — Assuming we aren’t playing the 1NT
response as forcing, I would pass for sure. If we are
playing that the 1NT response is forcing, partner could
have only three diamonds, making the decision a close
one between pass and 2 . I’d bid 2 if I were sure that
partner would bid again when holding a singleton heart.
Otherwise, pass is likely to work out best.
Henry:
Pass — 2 could be right, but we already know
that nine of partner’s cards aren’t hearts. 2NT is a
second choice, but it’s a bit too aggressive. 3 might
work, but we could be on a 4–3 fit. We want a plus
score, and our best hope is to pass.
Summary:
A typical dilemma for responder. With a
singleton in opener’s first suit, responder prefers
opener’s second suit. However, with only three-card
support, passing might leave the partnership in a 4–3
fit. Even worse, if the patronship is playing that a 1NT
response to a major is forcing, opener could have only
three diamonds. Should responder look for a better
trump fit by bidding the five-card heart suit. While there
is some support for bidding 2 , the majority prefers to
take their chances in 2 . The danger in bidding 2 is
that partner will likely pass with one or no hearts, hoping
responder has six or more. Now we’re worse off.
2. V
UL
:
E-W
D
LR
: N
ORTH
Fred:
2 —Given what I know about partner’s hand so
far, it is far from obvious whether spades or hearts rates
to be the trump suit of choice. But the problem with
passing 2 is that it is too final. 2 gives partner a
chance to bid again with extra values or a lot of
distribution—a development I would welcome. I don’t
like 3 because we’re missing a trump and I don’t like
2NT because we’re missing a club stopper, even though
these calls do a better job of showing my values than my
wide-ranging 2 preference.
Andrew:
2 — This is a big hand with its three huge
cards, the Q, A, and A. It’s much too big to pass 2 .
Not nearly enough undergrowth in the minors for 2NT
so the false preference, giving partner the chance to bid
on with extras, is best. Don’t be surprised to miss a
game though, as partner may pass with 15 or 16 points.
Shawn:
2 — Hopefully partner will bid again after I
give preference to 2 . If so, I’ll then take the partnership
to game.
Henry:
2NT — If partner bids 3 , I will go to
game—all my honor cards are working. If partner bids
3 , showing a 6–4, again I’ll go to game—same reason.
If partner passes, we’re probably in the right spot.
Summary:
Responder has more hearts than spades, but
most of the panel give false preference (
see page 5
) back
to 2 . Why? The spades will be at least as long as the
hearts, perhaps even a six-card suit. More importantly,
it doesn’t end the auction. With 10 high-card points, all
of the panel are hoping that opener will bid again. With
such useful cards in partner’s suits, they want to get to
game if opener has anything more than a bare minimum.
The simple preference back to 2 could be based on two
low spades and 5 or 6 high-card points. This hand is much
better. Hence one panelist’s invitational bid of 2NT.
N
W E
S
5
A Q 9 7 3
K 8 4
9 7 6 3
D
1 2
1NT
?
Pass Pass
Pass Pass
N
W
E
S
Q 5
A 5 3
A 8 6 2
7 6 5 3
Pass
Pass Pass
1NT
?
1 2
D
Powered by FlippingBook Publisher