Conventions and Special Sequences
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard & Pro)
In this column we describe conventions (Std) and Special Sequences (Pro).
Jump-shift Responses
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Bidding a new suit with a single jump shows a gameforcing hand with a
very good suit, and a slam chances. A very good suit would need just a
singleton honor in partner’s hand to solve what the question of trumps should be.
Quiz 1
++
Partner opens 1
♦.
What do you bid with these hands ?
♠AQ9765 ♥A3 ♦K4 ♣K32 |
1♠. The suit is too weak to jump. A singleton honor in ♠
with partner does not mean ♠ should be trumps (yet). |
♠K7 ♥A3 ♦Q4 ♣AQ108743 |
3♣. If partner has the singleton King or Jack of ♣ the
trump suit has been found. If partner has the Jack, and we have
a loser (king), we can find it out via RKC. |
♠K7 ♥A3 ♦32 ♣AQ108743 |
2♣. The hand is a bit too weak in honor strength to jump.
It requires too much in partner’s hand to think about slam.
|
♠AQJ104 ♥A3 ♦KQ2 ♣432 |
2♠. Then later support ♦. If
partner has the King of ♠, then it is easy to count the tricks
for slam. Give partner:
♠K3 ♥432 ♦A107654 ♣A5
and there are 13 tricks in NT. |
♠AQJ976 ♥AKJ3 ♦2 ♣Q3 |
1♠. Don’t jump with a good side suit. It may be better to
play in ♥. |
♠AQJ972 ♥A ♦32 ♣Q932 |
2♠. If partner bids 2NT, rebid ♣. But not
to play ♣! Just to complete your distribution for
partner. |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
What do you bid with these hands ?
♠Q32 ♥J3 ♦AQ876 ♣K32 |
3♠. Spade fit, encouraging hand. |
♠Q3 ♥A3 ♦AJ876 ♣K987 |
3♠. A doubleton Queen is a fit. And the Aces/Kings – these
partner needs for slam. |
♠J87 ♥QJ ♦KJ865 ♣KJ65 |
4♠. Minimum opening, and there is nothing to lure partner
with. |
♠103 ♥2 ♦AQJ87 ♣KQ654 |
3♣. Natural. |
♠3 ♥AJ3 ♦AQJ1076 ♣J65 |
3♦. “Maybe ♦ are better than ♠, partner?” |
♠Q ♥KJ3 ♦A108765 ♣Q65 |
2NT. Waiting. ♦
are too weak to rebid. |
RKC and Exclusion Blackwood both can be used, and the jumped suit is trumps.
Rebidding the jump suit sets that suit as trumps.
(---)
Fourth Suit Forcing
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Fourth suit forcing is a cheap bid in the only unbid suit.
It is not a natural bid, nor does it promise any length or strength in the suit.
The goals of 4
th suit are:
- Find out whether partner has a stopper in the suit for
NT;
- Ask for more information about partner’s strength and distribution;
- Set partner’s suit in a forcing manner,;
- Set another specific suit in a forcing manner.
Examples of the Fourth Suit Forcing:
Fourth suit is not gameforcing after a 1-over-1 response. But only the player
who bid the 4
th suit may Pass below game.
Fourth suit is gameforcing over a 2-over-1 response.
Continuation over Fourth Suit Forcing
++
In response to Fourth Suit Forcing:
- A jump shows extra strength;
- Opener shows a 3 card fit for partner if he has it;
- With 5-5 shape opener rebids his second suit;
- With 5-4 shape without a fit for partner, opener bids:
2NT |
Minimum hand with at least a half-stopper (Qx) in the
fourth suit; |
Rebids the opened suit |
Minimum hand without a half-stopper; |
3NT |
Maximum hand and a stopper in the fourth suit; |
Three of the fourth suit |
Maximum hand without a half-stopper in the fourth
suit. |
(---)
Quiz 1
++
How should the bidding proceed with these hands ?
W |
E |
W |
E |
Comments |
♠AQ1087
♥KQ876
♦32
♣2 |
♠J3
♥AJ3
♦1054
♣AQ986 |
1♠
2♥
3♥
Pass |
2♣
3♦ (1)
4♥ |
(1)
4th suit |
♠AQ1087
♥KQ87
♦Q32
♣2 |
♠J3
♥AJ3
♦1054
♣AQ986 |
1♠
2♥
3NT |
2♣
3♦ (1)
Pass |
(1)
4th suit |
♠AQ1087
♥KQ87
♦32
♣J2 |
♠J3
♥AJ3
♦1054
♣AQ986 |
1♠
2♥
3♠ (2)
Pass |
2♣
3♦ (1)
4♠ |
(1)
4th suit
(2)
Does not promise 6 ♠. |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
How do you plan the auction with these hands ?
♠AQ432 ♥K97 ♦J97 ♣J7 |
3♥. Invite with
♥ fit. |
♠AQ432 ♥K97 ♦A97 ♣K7 |
2♦. And on the next round raise
♥, which would be gameforcing. |
♠AQJ987 ♥6 ♦K32 ♣J32 |
3♠. Invite to 4♠. |
♠AQ9876 ♥6 ♦AK2 ♣K32 |
2♦. And on the next round rebid ♠,
forcing to game. |
(---)
Third Suit Forcing
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Third suit forcing is when there are two unbid suits – responder’s rebid in one
of them is 3rd suit forcing. Third Suit Forcing does not require 4 cards in the
suit, and is forcing to game.
Quiz 1
++
Is the last bid Third Suit Forcing ?
1♥
2♥ |
2♣
2♠ |
Yes. Responder does not need to have 4 ♠ at
all. |
1♦
2♣ |
1♥ |
No. 2♣ is a completely natural bid. Third Suit Forcing
is used by responder, not opener. |
1♣
2♥ |
2♦
2♠ |
Yes. We do not consider 1♣ a natural bid, thus this is
Third (not Fourth) Suit Forcing. |
1♦
2♦ |
1♠
2♥ |
Yes. Responder has either 5 ♠ and 4
♥, or wants to force the auction
without bypassing the 2-level. |
1♦
1♠ |
1♥
2♣ |
No. The last bid by responder is
4th Suit Forcing. |
1♥
2♥ |
1♠
3♣ |
Yes. 3♣ is forcing, not necessarily real ♣. |
(---)
What are the uses of Third Suit Forcing ?
- To find out if there is a fit in this suit;
- To show worry about the unbid suit;
- To set partner’s suit in a forcing manner;
- To set one’s own suit in a forcing manner.
How does Opener proceed ?
As naturally as possible – with one exception:
Jump to 3NT shows four cards in the Third Suit and the
stopper in the unbid suit.
Quiz 2
++
How should the bidding proceed with these hands ?
W |
E |
W |
E |
Comments |
♠KJ107
♥A1095
♦K2
♣J54 |
♠AQ65
♥J6
♦AQ1087
♣32 |
1♣
2♥
3♠ (2)
Pass |
2♦
2♠ (1)
4♠ |
(1)
Third Suit
(2)
Four ♠ without a ♣ stopper good for NT. |
♠KJ107
♥A1095
♦K2
♣J54 |
♠AQ6
♥QJ6
♦AQ1087
♣32 |
1♣
2♥
3♠ (2)
Pass |
2♦
2♠ (1)
4♥ (3) |
(1)
Third Suit
(2)
Four ♠ without a ♣ stopper good for NT.
(3)
'OK, let’s try ♥.' |
♠KJ107
♥A1095
♦K2
♣KJ4 |
♠AQ6
♥QJ6
♦AQ1087
♣32 |
1♠
2♥
3NT (2) |
2♦
2♠ (1)
Pass |
(1)
Third Suit
(2)
Four ♠ and a ♣ stopper! |
♠K10
♥A1095
♦J32
♣KJ104 |
♠AQ7
♥QJ6
♦AQ1087
♣32 |
1♣
2♥
2NT (2)
Pass |
2♦
2♠ (1)
3NT |
(1)
Third Suit
(2)
Promises a ♣ stopper, denies 4 ♠. |
(---)
2NT Forcing
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
2
NT Forcing is yet another gameforcing bid by responder.
2
NT applies after a 2-over-1 response, or
reverse.
Quiz 1
++
Is the last bid 2N Forcing ?
1♥
2♥ |
2♣
2NT |
Yes. |
1♥
2♥ |
1♠
2NT |
No. The initial response was at the 1-level |
1♥
2NT |
2♣ |
No. 2NT Forcing applies to responder’s bid,
not opener’s. (the bid is forcing by common sense, not by
convention) |
1♠
2♥ |
2♦
2NT |
Yes. Responder wants to find out more about opener’s
hand. |
1♦
2♥ |
1♠
2NT |
Yes. Over a reverse, 2NT is
forcing. |
1♥
2♣ |
1♠
2NT |
No. 2♣ was not a reverse. |
(---)
What are the uses of 2NT Forcing?
- To find out more about partner’s hand, before we decide what suit to set
as trumps;
- To find out more about partner’s hand at the lowest level possible,
even when we know what trumps will be.
See the next quiz to check if you can make the proper use of
2
NT Forcing.
Quiz 2
++
Partner has shown minimum (12 -14) with at least
5
♥.
How do you bid with these hands ?
♠A103 ♥J2 ♦K62 ♣AJ1087 |
2NT. If partner has 6 ♥,
then you will play in ♥. If he has a
four card ♣ fit, then maybe you belong to ♣. Else
3NT. |
♠AK3 ♥J3 ♦642 ♣AJ1087 |
2♠. Third Suit. You can’t play in 3NT
if partner has no ♦ stopper. |
♠A65 ♥Q4 ♦K32 ♣AKJ83 |
2NT. You only really want to think about
slam if you find an 8-card fit. So hope to hear 3♣ or
3♥ now. |
♠AJ3 ♥32 ♦AK3 ♣AJ9865 |
2NT. 3♣ would be nonforcing. |
♠1087 ♥3 ♦AK3 ♣AK9765 |
3♦. Third Suit. “Partner, do you
have a ♠ stopper?” |
♠75 ♥KJ3 ♦AQ52 ♣AKJ5 |
2NT. You don’t have to have a spade stopper
if you have no plans on playing 3NT (there is a
heart fit). With 2NT you hope to hear more about
the layout of partner’s hand. |
(---)
Continuation over Forcing 2NT
Further bidding is assumed natural.
Quiz 3
++
You |
Partner |
1♥ |
2♣ |
2♦ |
2NT |
? |
|
So far we have shown 5-4 with 12 – 17 HCP.
How do you bid with the following hands ?
♠32 ♥AQ765 ♦KQJ86 ♣7 |
3♦. Five diamonds. |
♠32 ♥AQ765 ♦KQJ8 ♣32 |
3NT. Don’t worry about the weak ♠ as partner bid
2NT so he should have a stopper (or plan). |
♠KJ3 ♥AQ654 ♦K1087 ♣2 |
3♠. Partner wants to know our distribution. |
♠K3 ♥AQ6542 ♦K1087 ♣2 |
3♥. True, ♥ are pretty weak but we you to show your sixth
card. |
♠K2 ♥AQJ87 ♦KQ102 ♣Q5 |
4NT. Partner didn’t expect that!
If you go down one when partner was just looking for a sixth
♥ you can apologize. |
(---)
Quiz 4
++
How should the bidding proceed with these hands ?
W |
E |
W |
E |
Comments |
♠2
♥AKJ65
♦K542
♣J42 |
♠KQ10
♥Q7
♦AQ3
♣A7653 |
1♥
2♦
3♣ (2)
Pass |
2♣
2NT (1)
3NT |
(1)
Forcing 2NT.
(2)
Three clubs. |
♠2
♥AKJ652
♦KJ54
♣32 |
♠KQ10
♥Q7
♦AQ3
♣A7654 |
1♥
2♦
3♥ (2)
4♦ (4)
Pass |
2♣
2NT (1)
3♠ (3)
4♥ |
(1)
Forcing 2NT.
(2)
Six ♥.
(3)
Cue for ♥.
(4)
♦ cue, no ♣ cue. |
♠32
♥AKJ652
♦KJ54
♣2 |
♠KQ10
♥Q7
♦AQ3
♣A7654 |
1♥
2♦
3♥ (2)
4♦ (4)
5♥ (6)
Pass |
2♣
2NT (1)
3♠ (3)
4NT (5)
6♥ |
(1)
Forcing 2NT.
(2)
Six hearts.
(3)
Cue for ♥.
(4)
♣ cue.
(5)
RKC for ♥.
(6)
2 KC, no ♥Q. |
♠J32
♥AK652
♦KJ54
♣3 |
♠KQ10
♥Q7
♦AQ93
♣A765 |
1♥
2♦
3♠ (2)
4♥ (4)
5♥ (6)
Pass |
2♣
2NT (1)
4♦ (3)
4NT (5)
6♦ |
(1)
Forcing 2NT.
(2)
Three spades.
(3)
Sets ♦.
(4)
Cue.
(5)
RKC for ♦.
(6)
2 KC, no ♦Q.
|
(---)
Magister
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Magister is an artificial 2♣ ask by responder after having responded at the
1-level in a major.
Quiz 1
++
Which of the following sequences’ final bid is Magister ?
1♥
1NT |
1♠
2♣ !! |
Yes. Most common. |
1♣
1NT |
1♦
2♣ !! |
No. Responder’s first response was not in a major.
This is Stayman. |
1♦
1♠ |
1♥
2♣ !! |
No. The exception. 2♣ here is Fourth Suit
Forcing. |
(---)
Meaning of Magister
Magister asks about support and strength, and is at least invitational
to game.
Note ! Responder’s 3♣ bid in Magister’s position is a signoff.
Quiz 2
++
How do you bid with these hands ?
♠KJ976 ♥106 ♦AQ65 ♣J3 |
2♣. Asking for three card ♠ support with an
invitational hand. |
♠KJ976 ♥A6 ♦AQ65 ♣J3 |
2♣. Asking for three card ♠ support with a gameforcing
hand (the same). |
♠AKJ87 ♥106 ♦AQ1076 ♣3 |
3♦. Showing 5 ♠, 5 ♦. Partner should be able to tell where we
should play. Perhaps even a 7 card ♠ fit. |
♠A543 ♥76 ♦2 ♣QJ8765 |
3♣. (!) Signoff in ♣. As 2♣ is artificial, you need to put
the signoff somewhere else. |
♠AKJ87 ♥106 ♦3 ♣AQ1076 |
2♣. You have to start with 2♣ since partner would Pass
3♣. |
♠KJ943 ♥QJ654 ♦43 ♣2 |
2♥. Natural, nonforcing. |
♠KJ943 ♥AQJ6 ♦K32 ♣2 |
2♣. If partner does not have a ♠ fit, you can still
discover a ♥ fit. |
♠A543 ♥76 ♦42 ♣KQJ86 |
2NT. The system does not have a way of
inviting with a 5 card minor. Those who are dissatisfied with
the solution should refer to PCI Pro. |
(---)
Continuation over Magister
Opener’s bids follow this scheme:
2♦ |
Minimum (12-13) without three card support for responder’s
major; |
2 of partner’s suit |
Minimum with three card support; |
2 of the other major |
Maximum with three card support; |
2NT |
Maximum without support. |
Quiz 3
++
You |
Partner |
1♦ |
1♠ |
1NT |
2♣ |
? |
|
How do you bid these hands ?
♠3 ♥KJ76 ♦AQ65 ♣QJ32 |
2♦. Minimum, no fit. A singleton in
partner’s suit decreases the value of this hand. |
♠103
♥KJ5
♦KQ1087
♣A103 |
2NT. Maximum without a fit. The good
♦ suit increases the value of the
hand. |
♠103 ♥KJ97 ♦AQ1076 ♣A2 |
2NT. Partner did not ask about hearts –
2♥ would show a ♠ fit. |
♠KJ3 ♥76 ♦AQ1076 ♣K105 |
2♥. Maximum with a
fit. |
♠Q87 ♥Q6 ♦AQ1076 ♣K105 |
2♠. Minimum with a fit.
|
(---)
The Magister bidder has choices on the following round:
- Rebidding his own suit at the 2 level – nonforcing;
- Bidding a game – partner has nothing more to contribute;
- Bidding a new suit or 2NT – forcing.
Quiz 4
++
Partner |
You |
1♣ |
1♠ |
1NT |
2♣ |
2♥ |
? |
Partner has shown 12-13 with ♠ support.
How do you plan the rest of the auction with these hands ?
♠AJ976 ♥6 ♦2 ♣KJ9765 |
4♠. Why to show ♣? You are going to play 4♠
anyway. |
♠AQ765 ♥A3 ♦32 ♣AQJ3 |
2NT. 4♠ is easy, but if partner bids
3♣ now, we can think about slam. |
♠AQ87 ♥K3 ♦AJ107 ♣AJ2 |
2NT. Does partner have four
♦? Then there is a chance of
a slam. |
♠KQ10873 ♥3 ♦AQ3 ♣KJ5 |
4♥. Splinter
for ♠. |
(---)
Drury
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Drury refers to an artificial 2♣ response by a Passed hand to a
1
♥/♠ opening by partner.
This response promises at least a 3-card fit for partner’s suit with at
least a good 9 HCP.
We also use this convention in response to partner’s major suit overcall –
in this case the condition of being a Passed hand is not needed.
Continuation over Drury
The major-suit opener has the following bids available:
2♦ |
A hand slightly better than an immediate return to the suit; |
Rebidding his suit |
Sub-minimum, game highly unlikely; |
Any other bid |
Natural game try. |
Personally, in response to Drury I recommend giving away the least
information:
- Rebidding the suit with a weak hand,
- Bidding game with a wide range of strengths, and
- 2
♦ - counter-try.
Bidding a side suit game try is a double-edged sword – on one hand it adds
precision to game-bidding, but on the other it gives the opponents information.
Slam Conventions
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
The "Slam Conventions" section consists of two parts.
First comes an overview of the principles (in this "Conventions" Menu).
In the second part I propose a method: “Learning from the Mistakes of the
Masters”. You can find it in the "Slam Bidding" Menu. The context is the Polish
contingent in the 2000 Maastricht Olympiad quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
In each of the cases, one pair made a mistake in the bidding, reaching the wrong
contract. The task of the reader is to find the proper sequence in Polish Club
International. Then your solution will be compared with that proposed by myself
and Krzysztof Martens.
Examples were selected by Krzysztof Martens, whom I thank for providing some
of his training materials.
Martens also verified my proposed sequences as correct for Polish Club and
suggested improvements and corrections.
The final solution is that agreed upon by both of us.
Blackwood etc.
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
This menu entry and the entries below cover Slam Conventions.
RKC 1430
++
RKCRoman Keycard Blackwood
asks for five keycards: the four Aces and the King of trumps. The trump suit
has usually been set, but if not, it is taken to be the last-bid suit.
Responses:
5♣ |
1 or 4 keycards; |
5♦ |
0 or 3 keycards; |
5♥ |
2 or 5 keycards without the Queen of trumps; |
5♠ |
2 or 5 keycards with the Queen of trumps. |
(---)
Asking for the Queen of trumps, and Kings
After the
RKCRoman Keycard Blackwood
responses (5♣ and 5♦), the next cheap step not trumps asks for the Queen of
trumps. Responses are the following:
- Cheap step = I do not have the trump Queen;
- Next step = I have the trump Queen.
The ask for Kings is the next cheapest step outside of trumps:
Spades is trumps:
5♦ |
Do you have the trump Queen?; |
5♥ |
How many Kings do you have? |
For examples of RKC in action I encourage you to continue on to “Learning from
the Mistakes of the Masters”.
(---)
Exclusion Keycard Blackwood
++
After trumps have been set, a jump in a side suit at the 5-level (or 4♠ when
♥ is trumps) is Exclusion Keycard Blackwood – it shows
a void in the bid suit and asks for the number of keycards not counting the Ace
of the void suit.
(---)
5NT RKC
++
When a competitive auction (or cuebidding sequence) has pushed the level past
4
NT, the ask for keycards is 5
NT.
Responses are analogous to those after 4
NT (6♣ = 1 or 4, etc).
(---)
5NT Trump Ask
++
If 5
NT is not RKC, then it is a Trump Ask. Responses:
6♣ |
0 top honors in trumps; |
6♦ |
1 top honor; |
6♥ |
2 top honors; |
7 of trumps |
3 top honors. |
(---)
See also:
http://www.bridgebum.com/roman_key_card_blackwood.php
Trump Invite
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
A trump invite is a jump to 5 of the agreed major suit: “Partner, Pass with weak
trumps, bid slam with good trumps.”
Cuebids
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
A cuebid is a slambidding tool that indicates slam interest and shows first- or
second-round control.
First- and Second-round Control cuebids
A cuebid in a suit with an Ace or void is first-round control.
A cuebid in a suit with a King or singleton is second-round control.
Honor cuebids and Shortness cuebids
A cuebid in a suit in which we have an Ace or King is an Honor cuebid.
A cuebid in a suit in which we have a singleton or void is a Shortness cuebid.
Preference of Shortness cuebids
When we have shown 9 cards in 2 suits we give preference to Shortness cuebids
(with no shortness we may bid 3
NT as a general slam try).
Splinters
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Splinter
++
A splinter is an artificial jump to the 3- or 4-level (rarely 5-level).
It shows shortness in the bid suit, and sets the last-bid suit as trumps
(if not set already).
You can find description of this convention in the Standard
1♥ Opening section.
(---)
Six of a Splinter
++
This convention asks for a void in the splinter suit.
We use this by bidding 6 of the suit partner made a splinter in.
Responses are simply:
- grand slam in trumps = I have a void;
- small slam in trumps = I have a singleton.
(---)
Mini-splinter
++
The mini-splinter occurs over a 1♥/♠ opening:
1♥-3♠ |
Mini-splinter, unknown shortness; |
1♠-3NT |
Mini-splinter, unknown shortness. |
This convention is discussed in the section on the
1
♥ opening.
(---)
Autosplinter
++
The autosplinter is the same as a normal splinter, except it sets the
splintering side’s suit as trump, and not partner’s.
This situation occurs only when partner has not shown any suit.
(---)
Handling Interference in Slam Auctions
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Over RKC
If over our RKC the opponents enter the auction, we use steps (DOPI):
Pass |
One keycard; |
Double |
Zero keycards; |
Next step |
Two keycards; |
Following step |
Three keycards; |
etc. |
... |
If for example over RKC the opponents bid 5
♦,
5
♥ shows two keycards, 5♠ – three, and
5
NT – four. The reason we do not combine answers (1/4, 0/3) is
that partner cannot be sure what partner has and cannot make the final decision.
In an uncontested sequence, asker when not sure can assume the pessimistic view
and sign off, leaving partner to bid on with the greater number.
The opponents double an RKC response
XX |
Penalty (“Don’t mess around with us.”); |
other |
As if no double (Pass does not exist). |
The opponents double a cuebid
If the opponents double partner’s cuebid, then:
- Redouble shows Ace of the suit;
- Cuebidding another suit shows we will not lose two fast tricks in the
suit (we have a singleton or Queen);
- Pass asks for clarification.
Double
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Negative Double
++
The negative double is used after partner opens and one of the opponents
overcalls anything up to and including 4
♦.
The aim is to find a trump suit from the suits not bid by overcaller or partner.
A negative double implies no fit for partner’s suit.
The purpose of a negative double may be:
- Showing the possibility of playing in one of the two unbid suits.
1♣ |
1♦ |
X !! |
Both four card majors |
- Showing four cards in the unbid major:
1♦ |
1♠ |
X !! |
Four ♥, says nothing about ♣ |
- Forcing with a side five card suit (when direct suit-showing bid would
be NF):
1♣/♠
1NT |
1♠
Pass |
X
2♥ !! |
Pass |
Five ♥, forcing (direct
2♥ is NF in PCI) |
1♥
2♥ |
2♣
Pass |
X
2♠ !! |
Pass |
Five ♠, forcing (direct 2♠ is NF in PCI) |
In both cases, rebidding the major suit after doubling initially is
forcing for at least one round.
- Double as an invite to 3NT:
1♥
2♣ |
1♠
Pass |
X
2NT !! |
Pass |
An immediate 2NT would have shown a gameforcing raise.
2NT after double shows an invite to 3NT.
(---)
Support Double
++
We use a support double after we open at the 1-level, partner responds in a
major, and our right-hand opponent overcalls below two of partner’s suit.
This shows a 3 card fit for partner and an offensive hand.
Quiz 1
++
Does the double show support ?
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
Comments |
1♥
X !! |
Pass |
1♠ |
2♦ |
Yes. |
1♥
Pass |
Pass
Pass |
1♠
X !! |
2♦ |
No. This is a cards double: extra HCP without
short ♦. |
1♣
X !! |
Pass |
1♥ |
2♦ |
Yes. Double promises a fit. (see: Third Seat
Interference over 1♣) |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
You |
Them |
Partner |
Them |
1♣
? |
Pass |
1♥ |
2♦ |
What do you bid with these hands ?
♠KJ7 ♥J32 ♦KQ97 ♣A87 |
Pass. Don’t make a support double with a trump
stack behind the opponents. |
♠A107 ♥K97 ♦32 ♣KJ1076 |
Support Double. Not showing extras, but
an offensive hand. |
♠A107 ♥KJ7 ♦3 ♣AKJ1076 |
Support Double. Let’s hope partner doesn’t
Pass. |
♠A107 ♥KJ7 ♦AQ3 ♣KJ103 |
Support Double – may be strong (see: Handling
Interference by 4th seat). |
(---)
(---)
Trap Pas
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
The Trap Pass is a consequence of the takeout double and negative double.
With a hand with which we would like to penalize the opponents, we are forced to
Pass. Partner is aware that the meaning of our Pass is ambiguous: either weak,
or the desire to punish the opponents (though sometimes it’s a hand with HCP
but no good call).
This knowledge means that partner should keep the bidding alive somehow.
Trap Pass over an Opponent’s Opening
++
Them |
Us |
Them |
Us |
1♥
Pass |
Pass
? |
Pass |
X |
Pass |
Trap Pass – strength unknown. |
2♥ |
13-16 – I don’t have a trump stack, and I couldn’t make a
takeout double because I didn’t have three ♠. |
Them |
Us |
Them |
Us |
1♥
XX |
Pass
Pass |
Pass |
X |
Pass over the redouble indicates the desire to defend
♥ redoubled (“I have a Trap Pass”).
Pass of redouble by the player behind the doubled suit is to play.
Pass by a player in front of the doubled suit indicates,
“I have no clear preference which suit to play”.
(---)
Trap Pass over an Opponent’s Overcall
++
We use the Trap Pass over an opponent’s overcall at the 2-level below
partner’s suit.
We expect partner to re-open the bidding without any strength extras if
we can still stop at the 2 level in his initial suit.
Quiz 1
++
What is your plan ?
♠7 ♥5432 ♦KJ975 ♣432 |
Pass. If partner reopens the bidding with a double, Pass.
Let’s hope they go down – even one. |
♠7 ♥AJ32 ♦KJ975 ♣KQ2 |
Pass. If partner balances with a double – Pass.
They should go
for a number. Let’s hope that the penalty will be more than
our game score. |
♠KJ97 ♥3 ♦KJ975 ♣Q32 |
4♠. Experience shows that with a great fit for partner,
it does not pay to Trap Pass. |
♠J6 ♥AJ73 ♦A1032 ♣J103 |
Double. Negative. Declaring seems more lucrative
than trying to penalize the opponents. |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
Unfavorable vulnerability.
What is your plan ?
♠7 ♥5432 ♦KQ975 ♣432 |
Pass. If partner reopens with a double, Pass. And if it
Passes out, well, they will go down undoubled. |
♠7 ♥AJ32 ♦KQ975 ♣KQ2 |
3NT. You have no assurance partner
will reopen, as the opponents are at the 3-level.
And undoubled, their penalty will still be a horrible score
for us. |
(---)
Quiz 3
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♠ |
2♦ |
Pass |
Pass |
? |
| | |
What is your plan ?
♠AQ1087 ♥KQ64 ♦6 ♣QJ3 |
Double. This does not promise extras. |
♠AQ1087 ♥KQ6 ♦62 ♣QJ3 |
Double. A doubleton diamond is still justification
for balancing. |
♠AQ1087 ♥K4 ♦1063 ♣AJ3 |
Pass. Without shortness in the opponent’s suit,
don’t reopen. (If partner has a Trap Pass,
tough luck). |
♠KQJ87 ♥KQJ32 ♦6 ♣43 |
2♥. The huge offensive
potential makes the double less attractive. |
♠AQ1087 ♥KJ3 ♦-- ♣KQ1072 |
3♣. It may turn out better to have doubled, but with
a void it’s better to seek an alternative. |
♠AQ1087 ♥KJ32 ♦-- ♣K1087 |
Double. The void is a strike against, but by doubling
we might get to either of the unbid suits, playable
contracts. |
(---)
(---)
Western Cue
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
The Western Cue is a bid in a suit bid previously by an opponent with the goal
of finding out whether partner has stopper in the suit.
In response to this bid, partner bids
NT, if he has a stopper
in this suit, and bids something else without one, e.g:
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
Comments |
1♦
2♦ |
1♥
Pass |
X
2♥ !! |
Pass |
Asks for a ♥ stopper. |
Let’s look at a situation where the opponents have shown two suits, e.g.
Us |
Them |
Us |
Comments |
1♦ |
2♦ (1) |
? |
(1)
Majors. |
2♥ |
(the opponent’s cheapest suit) – “Partner, can you stop
♥?”
With stoppers in both majors, opener bids NT.
With a ♥ stopper but no ♠ stopper, he can
bid: 2♠ = “I can stop ♥, but not ♠.
Where do you stand in ♠?”. |
2♠ |
(the opponent’s higher suit) – “Partner can you stop ♠?
I have ♥ covered”. |
Over a Double of our Western Cue
If the opponents double a Western Cue, it becomes possible to specify our
holding further:
- Redouble shows the Ace and nothing else:
- NT shows a stopper that is not just the Ace;
- Bidding a suit shows shortness in the opponent’s suit;
- Pass shows at least a doubleton in the opponent’s suit.
Half-stopper
By a half-stopper we mean a holding that by itself cannot take a trick in the
suit, but in combination with a half-stopper in partner’s suit provides
sufficient defense.
When we talk about a half-stopper we refer to these types of holdings:
K Qx
Jxx 10xxx
So when combined with another such holding in partner’s hand,
we stop the suit, e.g:
K
K
Qx
Qx
Qx Jxx Jxx
10xxx
There are two ways to show complementary half-stoppers for
NT:
- With the help of an opponent who doubles our stopper-ask:
W |
N |
E |
S |
1♥
Pass
Pass |
2♣
3♥
XX |
Pass
X
Pass |
3♣
Pass
3NT |
South’s Pass of the double denies shortness in hearts.
North – with the redouble – shows a half-stopper (note that a XX shows
the Ace only immediately over the double).
South bids 3NT to confirm possession of another
half-stopper.
- Without the opponents’ help.
This situation can occur when the opponents’ suit is not spades, e.g:
W |
N |
E |
S |
1♥
Pass
Pass |
2♣
3♥
3NT |
Pass
Pass |
3♣
3♠ |
North asked for a heart stopper, and South did not rule out
3NT – bidding 3♠ (in this case the only suit available
below 3NT) showing a half-stopper in
♥. North confirmed possession of a half-stopper
himself with 3NT.
Example
++
BIDDING CONTEST, “Bridge World”, Sept. 2009
W |
E |
♠KJ63
♥J2
♦K106
♣9853 |
♠Q
♥10965
♦A7
♣AKQJ42 |
Auction suggested by editor(s) of Bridge World:
W |
N |
E |
S |
3♣
3♠ |
1♥
Pass
Pass |
2♣
3♦
4♣ |
Pass
Pass |
It’s difficult to agree with this suggested auction.
3
♦ should be a natural bid.
If East wants to ask for a
♥ stopper,
he should bid 3
♥. The author commentary states:
In Poland most pairs play differently, the opponent’s suit as a
Western Cue. Surprisingly this would have solved the problem much better,
namely:
W |
N |
E |
S |
3♣
3♠ |
1♥
Pass
Pass |
2♣
3♥
3NT |
Pass
Pass |
The reasoning above is a bit stretched. Namely, the doubleton Jack is not
a half-stopper. Still with the doubleton Queen, the Bridge World action
would remain the same and the “Polish action” would surprisingly bring
us home without stretching.
(---)
Bidding Over an Opponent’s Takeout Double
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Meanings of bids over the opponent’s takeout double
Over an opponent’s double of our opening, new suits are forcing at the 1-level,
and nonforcing at the 2-level.
Over an opponent’s double of our opening, a single jump-shift is
a fit- showing jump:
1♥ |
X |
3♣ !! |
♣ and at least 3 ♥. |
Over an opponent’s double of our opening, a double jump-shift is a
Splinter:
Note: Over an opponent’s double we don’t use
minisplinters and
strong
splinters. Most important is to name the short suit in case the
opponents wish to join us in the auction:
1♥ |
X |
3NT!! |
Good raise for ♥. |
The point of 3
NT is to set up a forcing Pass if the opponents
outbid us.
Over the opponent’s double of our 1♣ opening – 1♦
is a natural nonforcing response, with no lower limit of strength.
1♣ |
X |
2♣ !! |
Natural, nonforcing, up to 10 HCP. |
Over the opponent’s double of our 1
NT opening, we bid as if
there was no double.
Redouble
Redouble shows a hand with at least 10 HCP.
1♣
Pass |
X
Pass |
XX !!
? |
2♦ |
2♠ |
Shows about 10 HCP with at least a doubleton ♠. |
3♠ |
Shows a gameforcing ♠ fit. |
3♦ |
Shows a gameforcing hand without a ♠ fit (asks for stopper). |
Bidding over a redouble
An immediate rebid by opener at or below two of the opened suit shows a
minimum hand.
An immediate rebid by opener above the 2-level in the opened suit shows
extra strength and distribution.
2♥ |
Minimum hand, 4+♥. |
2♠ |
Minimum hand, 6 ♠. |
3♣ |
5 ♠, 4(+) ♣, extras. |
In the above sequence 3♣ is forcing (with a weaker hand she would have bid
2♣ the previous round).
Raises after a 1♥/♠ Opening and Double
Quiz
++
Explain the meanings of the bids in these sequences:
Bid |
Meaning |
Redouble |
If with a fit then:
10 HCP balanced; then support partner at the cheapest level,
or:
Gameforcing with a fit; then we jump-raise partner. |
1NT |
7-11 HCP with a 3-card fit. |
2♥ |
4-7 HCP with a 3-card fit. |
2NT |
Invite to game with a 4-card fit. |
3♣/♦ |
Fit-showing jump with at least a 3-card fit. |
3♥ |
Preemptive with a 4-card fit. |
3♠/4♣/4♦ |
Splinters. |
3NT |
Strong raise with a fit (sets a forcing Pass). |
4♥ |
Preemptive. |
(---)
Bidding Over an Overcall
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
In the PCI Pro I propose a method of transfers which is becoming more and more
popular – I hope they soon become standard.
Here let’s recall the standard general bidding rules in PCI:
A new suit is forcing at the one and three level, and nonforcing at the
two level.
1♠ |
Forcing. |
2♣/♦ |
Nonforcing. |
3♣/♦ |
Forcing. |
In order to force in a new suit you must either jump or start with a negative
double.
What is your bid ?
♠A2 ♥KQ964 ♦Q2 ♣432 |
2♥. Nonforcing |
♠5 ♥QJ10765 ♦32 ♣KJ32 |
2♥. Nonforcing. |
♠A2 ♥KJ964 ♦32 ♣AJ2 |
Double. Bid ♥ in the next round.
(Direct 2♥ would be
non-forcing). |
♠5 ♥AQJ1076 ♦32 ♣KJ32 |
3♥. Forcing with good
♥. |
A jump-raise of partner’s suit to the 3-level is preemptive:
Us |
Them |
Us |
|
1♥ |
2♣ |
3♥ !! |
Preempt. |
Strong bids with a fit for partner’s suit
Cuebidding the opponent’s suit shows a limit raise.
2
NT is gameforcing with a fit.
3♣ |
Invite to game with a heart fit. |
2NT |
Gameforcing with a heart fit. |
After a 1♣ opening, a jump cue at the 3-level is a transfer to
3NT:
1♣ |
1♠ |
3♠ !! |
“Bid 3NT; I have a stopper, but NT
plays best from your side” |
Handling Interferences
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Handling Interference Over our 2NT or Higher Openings
++
Doubles are penalty.
(---)
Balancing by Opener
++
A reopening double below two of opener’s suit does not promise extras:
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♥
X !! |
2♣ |
Pass |
Pass |
In the above sequence opener has at most a doubleton ♣, but he need not
have extras.
A reopening double above two of opener’s suit shows extras:
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
Comments |
1♥
X !! |
2♠ |
Pass |
Pass |
At most two spades, extras. |
(---)
Handling Interference by Fourth Seat
++
Here we refer to the situation where opener’s right-hand opponent
enters the auction after partner’s response.
After a 1N Response
++
Pertinent auctions:
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣/♦/♥/♠ |
Pass |
1NT |
2♣/♦/♥/♠ |
Double is penalty over a major suit overcall.
Double shows extra strength after a minor suit overcall.
The reasoning is thus: 1NT implies responder has most
of his cards in the minors. With extra strength but no special
distribution, opener offers a cards double to take advantage of the
situations when responder has a stack in the opponent’s minor.
After a major suit overcall, it’s opener that threatens to have
the stack. Responder over a Pass would usually just let the auction
die there, so immediate action is needed.
(---)
After a 2-over-1 Response
++
After a 2-over-1 the auction is forced to three of responder’s suit.
Based on this, we use the following treatment:
After a 2-level overcall, Pass is forcing, and double is penalty.
After an overcall above three of responder’s suit, Pass is nonforcing,
and double shows extras.
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♠
? |
Pass |
2♦ |
2♠ |
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♠
? |
Pass |
2♦ |
3♥ |
Pass |
Nonforcing. |
X |
“I have enough for game, please do something
intelligent”. |
(---)
After a 1♦ Response to a 1♣ Opening
++
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣
? |
Pass |
1♦ |
1♥ |
1♠ |
Strong ♣ with 5 ♠. |
X |
Takeout (or gameforcing hands). |
1NT |
18-20. |
2♣ |
Natural, 15+ |
2♦ |
Natural, strong with ♦. |
2♥ |
Michaels – strong with 5 ♠ and a 5 card minor. |
2♠/3♣/3♦ |
“Close to game, with a very good suit”. |
2NT |
21-23. |
Note:
When you open 1♣ and partner responds
negatively (1♦ or Pass after overcall)
you should not interfere with opponents’ auction unless you are
strong.
(---)
After a 1♥/1♠ Response to a 1♣ Opening
++
Even regular partnerships often have problems after interference in
1♣ auctions. We propose some clear simple rules:
- If the overcall is at the 2-level below responder’s suit,
then X shows a fit for partner – either weak or strong club
variants.
- 2♦ is still Odwrotka.
- A cuebid of the opponent’s suit through
3♥ shows a strong ♣ without a fit
for partner.
- Starting from 3♠ and above cue bid is a splinter
raise:
shortness in the suit and 4 card support.
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣
? |
Pass |
1♥ |
1♠ |
X |
3 ♥, 12-17 (with 18+ use
Odwrotka). |
2♣ |
5 ♣, 15+ (usually without three ♥). |
2♦ |
Odwrotka. |
2♠ |
Strong ♣ without a ♥ fit. |
3♣ |
5 ♦, 4 ♣ (as without the overcall),
strong. |
3♠/4♣/4♦ |
Splinters.. |
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣
? |
Pass |
1♥/♠ |
2♦ |
X |
Fit of at least 3 cards, weak or strong variants
(including 18+ with a 4 card fit). |
2NT |
Natural, strong ♣. |
3♦ |
Strong, no fit. |
4♦ |
Splinter. |
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣
? |
Pass |
1♥ |
2♠ |
X |
Strong ♣, with fit (even 4 cards), or without. |
2NT |
Strong ♣, stopper in ♠. |
3♠ |
Splinter. |
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣
? |
Pass |
1♠ |
3♥ |
X |
Strong ♣, (may have 4 ♠ without short ♥). |
4♥ |
Splinter. |
(---)
(---)
Forcing Pass
(
PCI Polish Club International
Standard)
Forcing Pass is one that says, “Partner I don’t know if we should outbid the
opponents, so I’ll leave the decision to you, but you cannot Pass.”
In recent years may be noted a tendency to restrict the number of Forcing Pass
situations. This is probably due to the fact that in this age of
computer-generated hands there often are high-level contracts based on
distribution which, when doubled, just make easily.
Currently the general treatment is that Pass in a competitive auction just
shows uncertainty as what to bid, but does not require partner to do anything.
However, certainly there are still a few situations where Pass should be forcing,
and here we will discuss them.
- Unfavorable vulnerability, and the opponents bid to the 5-level, e.g:
|
Them |
Us |
Them |
Us |
a. |
3♣ |
4♥ |
5♣ |
Pass |
b. |
3♣ |
3♥ |
5♣ |
Pass |
c. |
3♣ |
X |
5♣ |
Pass |
In all the above sequences, Pass is forcing.
- On the way to game, a Forcing Pass situation is created when we bid
a side suit or NT.
Unfavorable vulnerability.
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♥
? |
Pass |
2♥ |
2♠ |
4♥ |
Tactical; further Passes are not forcing. |
2NT/3♣/3♦ (et al) |
Natural, creates a forcing Pass if our game is
outbid by the opponents. |
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
Comments |
1♥
? |
Pass |
2NT(1) |
3♠ |
(1)
Invite raise.
|
4♥ |
Tactical; further Passes are not forcing. |
4♣/♦ |
Natural, sets up a forcing Pass if the opponents outbid
Us. |
- Pass is forcing at the 2-level after our 2-over-1
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♥
? |
Pass |
2♦ |
2♠ |
- The opponents didn’t want to be in game, but did so only after we
bid game, e.g:
Us |
Them |
Us |
Them |
1♣
3♥
Pass |
1♠
Pass
4♠ |
Pass
4♥
Pass |
2♠
Pass |
The opponents were willing to let us play 3♥,
but over 4♥ they pushed on.
This last agreement can lead to confusion.
An example is this hand from the US Nationals, San Diego, 2009.
Example
++
N-S vulnerable.
|
♠Q83
♥75
♦Q986532
♣3 |
♠AK1076
♥92
♦J107
♣1072 |
|
♠J954
♥AJ63
♦K4
♣A94 |
|
♠2
♥KQ1084
♦A
♣KQJ865 |
W |
N |
E |
S |
1♠
Pass
4♠
Pass
Pass
|
Pass
4♥
Pass
Pass
Pass |
1♣
2♠
Pass
Pass
X |
1♥
4♣
Pass
5♣
Pass |
South felt that North’s Pass over 4S was forcing because the opponents
did not want to play in 4♠ (West Passed 4♣, which could end the
auction), and bid it only after N-S ended in game, as a defensive
move.
North, as you can see, was of a different opinion.
A poll conducted among Polish experts gave a surprising result.
One half of the experts thought that North’s Pass was forcing,
and half did not! Even regular partners differed.
The lesson from this is that every partnership should determine for
themselves the situations for a forcing Pass and stick to those
situations only.
This hand I think the Pass should be forcing (see rule 4).
(---)
Aggressive Responses
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
One of the tips I give beginning bridge players is: “If partner opens the auction
with a suit, and you don’t have a fit, and you have a weak hand, then Pass as
soon as possible.”
Experts do not listen to that advice. Experts bid whenever they have something
to show. Let’s take a look at the following hands after partner has
opened 1♦, and see what the follower of my rule
does, and what an expert does.
Hand |
My reader bids
| An expert bids
|
♠KQ10765 ♥1076 ♦6 ♣1054 |
Pass |
1♠ |
♠6 ♥Q1097654 ♦2 ♣J976 |
Pass |
1♥ |
♠65432 ♥KJ1097 ♦2 ♣32 |
Pass |
1♥
(!!) |
♠65 ♥732 ♦3 ♣QJ109876 |
Pass |
1NT (!!) |
Remember that playing Polish Club you should not respond light to a 1♣ opening
since partner can just be too strong.
What aims are the experts pursuing when they keep the auction alive with
poor hands ?
- Disrupting the opponents’ auction, which cannot be based on counting
HCP anymore
The defenders (let’s say, the pair that did not open the auction)
cannot focus solely on finding the best suit to play in at the lowest
possible level – they must also figure out whose hand it is.
Let’s suppose the auction proceeds:
Most pairs play here that double is strictly takeout for the two unbid
suits (♣ and ♥ here).
And how to bid with strong hands ? Until recently there was no problem.
The opening pair had half the deck (12 HCP for opener, 7 HCP for
responder), and therefore the defender concluded that they were fighting
only for a partscore. Today the response is often a weak hand – the
total HCP cannot be counted on.
The expert does not Pass up this hand:
♠65
♥732
♦3
♣QJ109876
He responds 1NT. If necessary he can run to ♣ –
and the opponents have no idea who should be bidding to what level.
- Lead-directing
A clinical example is:
♠65432 ♥KJ1097 ♦2 ♣32,
with which an expert over an opening 1♦ would
respond 1♥, and not 1♠, expecting that the
opponents will eventually win the auction.
- Buying the auction in a part score
Whoever enters the auction first has the initiative.
- Getting to game when the cards fit well
If we want to bid like an expert, we would have to remember the fact
that – like with opening – it pays to bid light not vulnerable.
Quiz
++
Partner opens
1♦.
How do you bid the following hands depending on vulnerability ?
♠J65 ♥K9876 ♦J2 ♣543 |
Pass. Always. The hearts are not so strong that a
lead in the suit by partner would be crucial, and they are
not long enough to rebid. |
♠KQ1097 ♥3 ♦875 ♣5432 |
1♠. Always. We preempt the opponents’ hearts, we
have no misfit (diamonds fit), and in extreme cases we may
have game in spades. |
♠7 ♥QJ109765 ♦98 ♣1087 |
1♥. Always. We have so many
♥ we aren’t afraid to play them, even
if partner bids very high. |
♠KJ876 ♥976 ♦108 ♣J53 |
The hand is limited, since while the ♠ are not bad, they are
not solid. I would decide to bid 1♠ not vulnerable,
but Pass vulnerable. |
♠J109876 ♥108 ♦1087 ♣32 |
1♠. But only at favorable vulnerability.
Any other time I would lack the courage to bid. |
(---)
Having explained all the benefits of aggressive responses, it is necessary
however to mention one big “But”. This style of bidding disturbs opener’s count
on the hand most of all, so without a good system of brakes this would not be
worth playing.
The purpose of this part of the book is to propose a mechanism with two
objectives:
- To allow aggressive one-level responses;
- To avoid disaster in almost all situations.
This mechanism cannot guarantee 100% security. But if you don’t take the risk,
you will be behind the rest of the world, which is responding aggressively.
First let’s start with a classic example where an aggressive response brings
us to a dead end. It occurs when opener jump-shifts, e.g:
1♦
3♦ |
1♥
? |
“Partner, what are you doing? I wanted just to play in
♥, at a low level.”
Oh well, now we have to Pass because
3♥ would be forcing. |
Fortunately in our arsenal we have established that 3
♦
denies a
♥ fit (see: Raising responder after a
1
♦ Opening). So the loss will be limited, just losing
a part score.
If we had bid 1♠ aggressively, and without a
♥ fit,
then misery on us. 3♠ would be forcing so we have to just Pass and pray.
Do we have 6 ♠, 2
♥, 1
♦, and
4 ♣? Then we would love to correct to
♥, but that would
be forcing, so we have to Pass and use whatever lucky charms we have available
to hope.
The advantage of Polish Club is that the openings have a narrower range of
strength that most other systems, so the jump-shift is not forcing.
And in other situations we have a solution – Cheap Transfers.
Cheap Transfers
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
Cheap Transfers is a gadget that sets into one schema a few ideas invented all
over the world.
The proposed mechanism can be described by a single principle:
After a response at the 1-level:
The second bid by responder in the cheapest unbid suit is artificial and asks
opener to bid the next higher suit.
Let us start with the example of the highest level that this convention is
used: Opener jump rebids 2NT. The cheapest bid in an unbid suit
is 3♣. For example:
The 3♣ means that responder wants to play as low as possible.
Opener is obliged to bid the next suit, in this case 3
♦.
Pass |
“I want to play 3♦” |
3♥ |
“I want to play 3♥
(unless you correct to 3♠)” |
3♠ |
“I want to play 3♠” |
3NT |
“3♣ was natural, I am not sure about 3NT” |
A consequence of this is that any other bid suit at the 3-level is forcing.
3♦ |
♦ fit, forcing |
3♥ |
Natural, forcing |
3♠ |
Natural, forcing |
Similar treatment holds if the auction starts out:
or:
Quiz 1
++
How do you plan the auction with these hands ?
♠QJ10976 ♥J765 ♦6 ♣J9 |
3♣. And over 3♦ by partner – 3♠
signoff. |
♠KJ10976 ♥KQ7 ♦5 ♣A108 |
3♠. Forcing. |
♠K108765 ♥J83 ♦1087 ♣3 |
♣3. And over 3♦ by partner
– Pass. |
♠A10876 ♥863 ♦KQ6 ♣K3 |
3♦. Forcing. |
♠AJ987 ♥3 ♦2 ♣KQJ1085 |
3♣. And over 3♦ by partner –
4♣ - forcing (an immediate 4♣ would have been a splinter
for ♦). |
♠AJ987 ♥3 ♦102 ♣J10876 |
3♣. And over 3♦ - Pass.
This should be a better contract than 3NT.
♣ are buried this time. |
(---)
Let’s take a look at Cheap Transfers at a lower level.
or:
In both above sequences our conventional rebid is 2
♥.
2
♦ is not available in the latter sequence because
it would be suit preference. 2
♥ has the following
meanings:
- Signoff in ♠, or:
- Any gameforcing hand.
An important advantage of this arrangement is the ability to rebid a 5-card ♠
suit to invite at a low level. Rebidding spades (2♠) shows a stronger hand than
signing off in spades – so opener is free to continue bidding.
Solve the quiz below to check if you can use Cheap Transfers at a low
level.
Quiz 2
++
How do you plan to continue the auction with these hands ?
♠KJ10875 ♥Q75 ♦3 ♣1086 |
2♥. And over 2♠ by partner,
a polite Pass. |
♠KJ976 ♥742 ♦2 ♣AQ104 |
2♠. Partner with a ♠ fit and good hand probably will
whisper something more. |
♠AQJ1087 ♥K103 ♦32 ♣J5 |
3♠. Invite to game with a good 6-card suit.
|
♠AQ10876 ♥AQ3 ♦J3 ♣Q2 |
2♥. And over 2♠ by partner –
3♠. Gameforcing with 6 ♠. |
♠K1075 ♥97 ♦Q108 ♣AJ65 |
3♦. Invitational. |
♠A1053 ♥A64 ♦J108 ♣A64 |
2♥. And over 2♠ - 3♦.
Forcing. If partner bids 3NT, it will play
better from his hand. |
♠KJ97 ♥QJ7 ♦J5 ♣K953 |
2NT. Natural, nonforcing. |
♠AKJ93 ♥A97 ♦J5 ♣K95 |
2♥. And over 2♠ by partner
– 2NT. Forcing: “Let’s find the right suit first,
and then think about slam.” |
(---)
Even more interesting is the Cheap Transfer at a lower level still.
The cheapest bid in an unbid suit is 2
♦ - transfer
to 2
♥: Signoff in 2
♥ or
2♠, or
any gameforcing hand.
Over the obligatory 2♥ by opener:
2♥ |
Better than transferring via 2♦ - a light
invite – may be a doubleton ♥, like a
2NT call
that has no good ♣ stopper. |
2♠ |
Invite with ♠. |
2NT |
Invite with a good ♣ stopper. |
3♣/♦/♥/♠ |
Invite. |
Quiz 3
++
How do you bid these hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠KQ976 ♥J4 ♦Q1087 ♣K3 |
2♠. Invite with 5 ♠ (with a signoff type hand you would
have bid 2♦). |
♠KQJ1087 ♥J5 ♦A107 ♣43 |
3♠. Invite with 6 good ♠ (with a GF you would have bid
2♦). |
♠KJ87 ♥Q3 ♦KJ108 ♣J76 |
2NT. Natural nonforcing with a good
♦ stopper. |
♠KJ87 ♥Q3 ♦A763 ♣J76 |
2♥ (!).
Light invite with at
least two ♥. If a doubleton,
than no great ♦ stopper. An eventual
3NT is best played from partner’s hand. |
(---)
Quiz 4
++
Partner |
You |
1♥
2♣
? |
1♠
2♦ |
How do you bid these hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠K7 ♥AQ976 ♦KJ ♣QJ98 |
2♥. If partner wants to play
2♥ or 2♠, then that’s as high as you
want to go. |
♠A ♥Q9876 ♦KQJ ♣KQJ6 |
2♥. Despite the high number of
HCP, no game will make if partner goes low. |
♠J ♥AJ10765 ♦A6 ♣AQ107 |
3♥. Even if partner wants to play
low, such a dynamic hand must try to push with
3♥. |
♠KJ3 ♥A10876 ♦3 ♣AK53 |
2♠. Even if partner was dreaming of playing
2♥, you have to let him know about your
solid extras and 3-card ♠ fit. |
(---)
Quiz 5
++
Partner |
You |
1♥
2♣
2♥ |
1♠
2♦
? |
How do you bid these hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠AJ976 ♥J6 ♦Q765 ♣J3 |
Pass. Don’t abuse the convention ! Your ♠ are too weak
to rebid. |
♠QJ10987 ♥954 ♦72 ♣J3 |
2♠. Better to play ♠ than ♥
(your ♠ are useless in a ♥
contract) |
♠AJ986 ♥KJ7 ♦A54 ♣K3 |
3♥. Forcing, if bid after a
Cheap Transfer. |
♠KQ1087 ♥Q5 ♦AJ3 ♣QJ3 |
2NT. Forcing. You will play game, but the
question is in what? ♠? ♥?
♣? NT? You have time, Forcing
2NT. |
(---)
Let’s discuss the sequence:
_b
There are various tools out there partnerships use: some treat 2♣ as Fourth Suit
Forcing, and others two-way checkback.
I propose Cheap Transfer.
Let’s discuss the sequence:
2♣ is a Cheap Transfer, preparing a signoff, or a game force.
Pass |
“I want to play 2♦”; |
2♥/♠ |
Signoff in ♥ or ♠; |
2NT/3♣/♦/♥/♠ |
Game forcing. |
In these situations, other bids at the 2-level are slightly encouraging.
2♦ |
Better than going through 2♣ (may be a 2NT bid
without a good ♣ stopper); |
2♥/♠ |
Encouraging with 5 ♥; |
2♠ |
Encouraging with a ♠ fit. |
2NT |
Invite with a good ♣ stopper; |
3♣/♦/♥/♠ |
Solid invite. |
Quiz 6
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠K876 ♥J876 ♦Q76 ♣J5 |
2♣. And over 2♦, 2♠. |
♠K876 ♥A876 ♦Q76 ♣J5 |
2♠. Better than going through 2♣. |
♠Q65 ♥KQJ87 ♦Q3 ♣J54 |
2♥. Invitational with at least
5 ♥. |
♠65 ♥KQJ765 ♦32 ♣J54 |
2♣. Preparing a signoff in
♥. |
♠Q3 ♥QJ987 ♦J987 ♣J3 |
2♣. And over 2♦ by partner,
Pass. |
♠Q65 ♥QJ87 ♦Q54 ♣A53 |
2♦ (!). Light invite – ♣ too weak for
2NT. |
♠Q65 ♥QJ87 ♦1054 ♣AQ3 |
2NT. Natural, nonforcing, good ♣
stop. |
♠653 ♥Q1087 ♦KQ76 ♣A3 |
3♦. Natural invite. |
(---)
Two-Way Checkback
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
For several years the convention known as Magister (One-way Checkback)
dominated Polish Club (described in PCI Standard).
In other systems, and among many top Polish pairs, Two-way Checkback has
become increasingly popular.
After a major suit response and 1NT rebid by opener,
2♣/♦ rebids are artificial:
2♣ shows an invite hand (or signoff in ♦),
2♦ is any gameforcing hand.
The reasons for the adoption of this treatment are as follows:
- Playing one check-back it is not possible to show an invite
hand with a 4-card major and 5-card minor;
- Invitational hands should be bid tactically differently from gameforcing
hands. Invite hands are general approximations, based on HCP. Losses arising
from lack of precision are repaid with interest from the low information
leaked to the opponents during the auction. However, when we have enough HCP
for game, we need to be more careful in order to get to the best game, or
find out if we have slam. Slam is more difficult to gauge than game, so
the camouflage argument doesn’t hold water.
When is Two-Way Checkback Used ?
This convention is used in all hands that would have used Magister
(One_way Checkback) from PCI Standard.
2♣ Checkback
++
Definition
“I want to play 2
♦, or invite to game.”
Continuation
Opener must bid 2
♦, unless he has a strong ♣.
Responder Passes (“I want to play 2♦”) or continues bidding naturally
(“invite to game”).
Special Situations
Responder bidding
NT after 2♣ is natural, but promises a
5-card major.
- 2NT is invite with 5332 distribution;
- 3NT is choice of game with 5332 distribution.
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠KJ87 ♥Q103 ♦J5 ♣KJ62 |
2NT. Totally normal. |
♠KJ876 ♥Q107 ♦Q5 ♣K93 |
2♣. And over 2♦,
2NT. Invite with 5 ♠, good hand for
NT. |
♠KQ1087 ♥105 ♦Q5 ♣K1075 |
2♣. And over 2♦, 2♠.
Invite with 5 ♠. |
♠A876 ♥96 ♦J5 ♣KQJ86 |
2♣. And over 2♦, 3♣.
Invite with 5 ♣. |
♠A876 ♥96 ♦3 ♣QJ9876 |
3♣. “If 2♣ is not available, I have to bid 3♣ to
sign off”. |
♠QJ987 ♥K109 ♦K ♣QJ97 |
2♣. And over 2♦,
3NT. “Oh, sorry partner, not 5332, I had a
♣ in with the ♦.” |
♠Q10753 ♥KJ75 ♦1075 ♣3 |
2♣. Partner bids 2♦,
and you Pass. An immediate 2♦ would
have been gameforcing Checkback ! |
(---)
Opener has a Strong Club
Opener may have a strong ♣ here. Then, instead of
2
♦ opener bids:
- 2♥ (18+), 5+ ♠,
3 ♥ (with 4 ♠ he would have used
Odwrotka);
- 2♠ (18+), 5+♠ without 3 ♥;
- 2NT (18+), Natural with 4 ♠ (without
3 ♥);
- 3♣/♦ (18+), four ♠, 5+ card minor.
Quiz 2
++
Partner |
You |
1♣
1♠
? |
1♥
2♣ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠KQ106 ♥7 ♦AQ108 ♣AKJ3 |
2NT. This leaves room for finding a
possible fit in either minor. |
♠AQ106 ♥102 ♦3 ♣AKQJ98 |
3♣. This hand does not want to play
2♦. 3♣ is forcing, so it might get
you too high (if partner intends to sign off in
♦), but you have to take the small
chance. |
♠KQ103 ♥K ♦J52 ♣AQJ65 |
2♦. If partner wants to play
just 2♦, you don’t want to go any
higher. If he continues to bid, then you will surely get
to game. |
♠AQJ106 ♥3 ♦AQJ98 ♣AJ |
2♠. An immediate 3♦ would
tell partner about the fifth ♦,
but then you would never be able to convince partner of the
fifth ♠. |
(---)
(---)
2♦ Checkback
++
Definition
Artificial game force.
Continuation
Natural, economical.
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠KJ987 ♥QJ876 ♦3 ♣J5 |
2♥. Nonforcing. Partner
selects the suit to play in at a low level. |
♠KJ987 ♥AQJ4 ♦Q2 ♣K5 |
2♦. Game force. |
♠KJ98 ♥J ♦A1087 ♣Q1053 |
3♦. Invite without
5 ♠. |
♠KJ98 ♥J ♦A1087 ♣KQ65 |
2♦. Game force. And on the
next round raise ♦. |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
Partner |
You |
1♣
1NT
? |
1♠
2♦ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠Q6 ♥KJ7 ♦J97 ♣KQ1082 |
3♣. It’s time to reveal the ♣. |
♠Q63 ♥KJ7 ♦J7 ♣KQ1082 |
2♠. We have to communicate two important pieces of
information – the ♠ fit and the fifth ♣. We choose the
cheaper of the two (we have to bid economically). |
♠Q63 ♥KJ74 ♦J7 ♣KQ108 |
2♥. Two things to show:
♥ and ♠. Economically ! |
♠Q6 ♥KJ7 ♦J974 ♣KQ108 |
2NT. Nothing new to show
(yet). |
(---)
Opener has a Strong ♣
The strong ♣ and gameforcing checkback don’t often occur at the same time.
But when the situation does arise, it does not mean you have to play in slam.
Perhaps opener upgraded for good distribution. Perhaps responder did too.
There could be a misfit of massive proportions. “Economical” bidding allows
for the full communication between partners.
Quiz 3
++
Partner |
You |
1♣
1♠
? |
1♥
2♦ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠AQ1097 ♥K4 ♦AQ107 ♣A3 |
2♠. Rebidding ♠ shows 5+♠ and the strong ♣. |
♠AQ1097 ♥K65 ♦AQ7 ♣A2 |
3♥. 5+♠ and 3
♥, strong g♣. |
♠AQ109 ♥5 ♦Q97 ♣AKJ98 |
3♣. Time to show the ♣. |
♠AKJ105 ♥5 ♦86 ♣AKJ75 |
2♠. Smells like a possible misfit – for now show
the 5 ♠. |
♠KQ108 ♥5 ♦KQ97 ♣AKQ7 |
2NT. Well, partner will not know that
you have a strong ♣. But what is the alternative ?
You will reveal strong ♣ later. |
(---)
(---)
Auctions After Opener Rebids ♣
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
This section involves the sequence:
Opener’s sequence shows a hand with at least 15 HCP and no upper limit.
This can cause problems determining the right level contract, particularly when
responder’s hand is strong.
The remedy for this situation is the Other Major convention.
Suppose that responder used the 2♦ artificial game
force over 2♣:
All bids by opener are natural and imply 15-17 HCP, with the exception of the
other major (here 2♠). This means the hand has 18+ HCP. The rest of the auction
unfolds naturally, but responder knows more about the combined strengths and can
place the contract more precisely.
Let’s take a look at a particular example:
2♥ |
18+ HCP any hand; all other bids show 15-17 HCP |
This raises the problem now of how to find a heart fit.
The solution is as follows:
1♣
2♣ |
1♠
2♦ !! |
Gameforcing, without 4 ♥. |
or:
1♣
2♣ |
1♠
2♥ !! |
Natural, forcing for one round. |
This treatment creates problem with weak responses (7-9 HCP) with 5 ♠ and 5
♥. The remedy is described in
Jumps shifts in a
major.
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠QJ9763 ♥K3 ♦J32 ♣87 |
2♠. Nonforcing. |
♠KJ976 ♥A107 ♦1087 ♣Q3 |
2♦. Forcing ask. |
♠KJ987 ♥A1074 ♦108 ♣Q3 |
2♥. One round force. |
♠KJ987 ♥K1074 ♦108 ♣32 |
2♥. Natural, forcing for one
round (if you do not use the suggested jumps shifts in
a major). |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
You |
Partner |
1♣
2♣
? |
1♠
2♦ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠QJ2 ♥Q4 ♦J2 ♣AKQJ96 |
2♠. 15-17, 3 ♠.
|
♠KJ3 ♥3 ♦K32 ♣AKJ765 |
3♠. 15-17, 3 ♠, extra tricks. |
♠KJ3 ♥3 ♦AK3 ♣AKJ765 |
2♥. 18+, for now. |
♠76 ♥AQJ3 ♦Q2 ♣AQJ52 |
2NT. 15-17 natural. Partner is not
interested in ♥. |
♠76 ♥AQJ3 ♦4 ♣AKJ987 |
3♣. 15-17, 6+ ♣. |
♠A6 ♥AQJ3 ♦4 ♣AKJ987 |
2♥. 18+, says nothing about
distribution. |
♠76 ♥4 ♦AQJ3 ♣AKJ987 |
3♦. Natural, 15-17. |
♠A6 ♥4 ♦AQJ3 ♣AKJ987 |
2♥. 18+, says nothing about
distribution. |
(---)
Odwrotka – Strong 2♥
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
The best thing about
Odwrotka is not a structure of artificial responses
for 2♦ relay bid. It is the fact that with that one bid opener informs of the
strong hand with support in responder’s suit. The other virtue is the negative
reasoning: other strong rebids of the opener deny support.
In the chapter devoted to slam bidding I showed two cases when standard
Odwrotka treatment failed. No wonder: most nice slams are bid on fitting
distribution rather than on combined strength.
In the survey for PCI Standard the voters decided to return to the
44-55-66 structure. Fine.
I present another structure that will likely be adopted because of its many
advantages, including simplicity. This can be called:
Odwrotka – Strong 2♥.
2♥ |
Strong: a hand interested in slam or opening strength.
All other responses are weak… |
2♠ |
4-card major without a 5-card minor. |
3♣/♦ |
4-card major with this 5-card minor; 9 – 11 HCP. |
2NT |
5-card major, side 4+card suit. |
3♥ |
5M(332). |
3♠ |
6+cards in the major 1-suiter. |
3NT |
“Sorry partner, my idea was to get you to play NT,
I have just a 3-card major” |
The unusual 2
NT response has two benefits:
- We can find a side fit;
- The weaker hand should bid NT only when 3NT
is unlikely to be the final contract.
After a 2♠ rebid, opener may describe his hand, or wait with 2
NT.
1♣
2♦
2NT |
1♥/♠
2♠ !!
? |
Minimum, 4-card major, no 5-card minor. |
3♣/♦ |
Natural, showing at least 4-card suit (5 cards if 7-8 HCP) |
3♠ (after 1♥) |
4-cards, natural. Rebidding the major = both 4-card minors. |
After a 2
NT rebid, opener may continue to mine for more
information, asking with 3♣:
Rebidding the major. |
4 ♣ |
Else |
Natural, 4+card suit. |
After a 2
♥ rebid (strong), opener may easily satisfy
his curiosity via a 2♠ ask. Further bidding is the same as the weak bids:
2NT |
At least a 5-card major, unbalanced; |
3♣/♦ |
Natural, 4-cards in the suit and 4 ♠ (5+card minor impossible
because it would have responded 2 of a minor originally); |
3♥ |
5(332); |
3♠ (after 1♥) |
4 ♥, 4 ♠ (here is the difference!) – after
1♠, this is normal 6+cards; |
3NT |
4333. |
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠-- ♥A1087 ♦Q8765 ♣QJ65 |
2♠. Minimum, 4 ♥, no 5 card
minor. Systemically you could bid 3♦,
but then finding a 4-4 ♣ fit would be impossible. Assume partner
will ask with 2NT, and now
3♥ will show 4 cards in both minors
(with the fifth ♦ a nice
surprise). |
♠KJ98 ♥AQ106 ♦J107 ♣32 |
2♥. Strong. This is almost
opening hand with very good ♥. |
♠J432 ♥J876 ♦AJ5 ♣KQ |
2♠. Minimum with 4 cards. 12 HCP ? Yes, but look what you
have in our primary suits: ♥ and ♠ !
Do not encourage your partner to try for slam. |
♠Q3 ♥J9765 ♦KJ ♣J432 |
3♥. I know, I’m being impish.
I’ll give full credit for 2NT, but I don’t think
bragging about a second suit does anything with all the honors
in the short suits. If partner bids 3NT, you will
happily Pass. |
♠32 ♥QJ6 ♦A876 ♣J832 |
3NT. “Partner, I was so trying not to
respond 1NT with the weak doubleton ♠, but I
shouldn’t try to fool you any longer.”
|
♠2 ♥QJ865 ♦2 ♣KJ9765 |
2NT. 5 ♥,
unbalanced. Very unbalanced !
|
(---)
Quiz 2
++
Partner |
You |
1♣
2♦
2♠ (ask) |
1♠
2♥ (strong)
? |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠AJ76 ♥K3 ♦KJ76 ♣765 |
3♦. Four
♦. And how does partner know it is not
five ? Well because you did not respond
2♦, just 1♠. |
♠AJ76 ♥KJ ♦9876 ♣KQ5 |
4NT. Don’t show this
♦ suit. On the other hand,
3NT sounds too weak with 14 HCP. |
♠K9876 ♥AQ765 ♦Q2 ♣3 |
2NT. 5 ♠, unbalanced. Even
♥ must wait their turn ! |
♠KJ8765 ♥KJ3 ♦K2 ♣74 |
3♠. With ♠, you may use this response to show 6+cards.
Had the original response been 1♥, then
this would have shown 4 ♥ and 4 ♠
(so with 6-cards, the only options would be 2NT
and 3♥ if desired). |
♠KJ8765 ♥KJ3 ♦K32 ♣3 |
4♣. 6 ♠, short ♣. |
(---)
Raising a Major Suit Response After a 1♦
Opening
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
One of the most difficult problems to solve is finding a major fit after opener
jump rebids their suit:
Some pairs like to play that 3
♦ promises 3-card support
for the major, and a 2
NT jump rebid would be the same hand without
3-card support.
Neither natural, nor wise !
What for example does
♠987 ♥6
♦AKQJ98 ♣A65
bid after:
2
♦ is far too anemic, and grabbing declarership of
NT is a mortal sin – the lead is best coming into partner’s hand
for every suit except
♦.
1♥ Response
++
Rescuing us is the feature of Polish club that the hands that use the
following sequence are rare:
In fact we see very little reason for this auction: with very strong hands
we open 1♣. Even with a solid opening, we see no reason to fear partner
Passing a 1♠ rebid with a ♠ fit, thanks to the Cheap Transfer (partner can
rebid 2♣, and over 2
♦, 2♠).
I propose the following agreement:
1♦
2♠ !! |
1♥ |
Strong hand with 3 ♥ and
6+♦ |
Thanks to this treatment, opener with 6
♦ can choose
2
NT or 3
♦ depending on the character
of the hand. In both cases, it would deny a
♥ fit.
(---)
Quiz
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠KQ107 ♥8 ♦AQJ765 ♣K3 |
1♠. Take it easy ! |
♠72 ♥AJ7 ♦AQJ765 ♣K3 |
2♠. 6 ♦ and 3
♥, maximum opening. |
♠KJ ♥43 ♦KQ10876 ♣AQ7 |
2NT. “I don’t mind playing
NT from my hand.” |
♠K32 ♥2 ♦KQJ987 ♣A54 |
3♦. “If we play in
NT, this time I’ll let you play it,
partner.” |
Continuation
We use the Cheap Transfer: 3♣ says we want to play in
3
♦ or 3
♥ and other
bids (2
NT, 3
♦,
3
♥) are forcing.
2NT asks for shortness ! Opener shows shortness if he
has it, and otherwise bids 3♦ with a good suit,
3♥ with honors in partner’s suit, or
3NT with distributed honors.
(---)
1♠ Response
++
After a 1♠ response the situation is more complicated because it’s difficult
to just give up the ability to show a good hand with
♥. On the other hand, rare is the hand that would
want to Pass a 2
♥ reverse either.
I propose that the 2♥ reverse has two
meanings:
1. |
Reverse into hearts; |
2. |
6 ♦ with 3 ♠. |
Continuation
2♠ is nonforcing, 2
NT is forcing, and 3♣ is a Cheap Transfer.
1♦
2♥
? |
1♠
2NT !! |
Forcing |
Rebids are practically natural:
3♣ |
4 ♥, 3 ♣. |
3♦ |
6 ♦, 4 ♥. |
3♥ |
4 ♥, 3 ♠. |
3♠ |
3 ♠, 6 ♦. |
3NT |
4 ♥ and two doubletons. |
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠K3 ♥KJ76 ♦Q10865 ♣A2 |
1NT. The hand is too weak for a
2♥ reverse. |
♠3 ♥AKJ7 ♦AQ1096 ♣Q92 |
2♥. Natural reverse, or
6 ♦ with a ♠ fit. |
♠KJ3 ♥6 ♦AQJ765 ♣A65 |
2♥. 6
♦ with a ♠ fit, or a natural
reverse. |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠KJ9765 ♥1076 ♦J ♣J96 |
2♠. To play.
|
♠QJ987 ♥QJ98 ♦32 ♣32 |
3♣. Cheap Transfer. Over 3♦
by partner – 3♥. If partner has
♠, he will move to 3♠. |
♠AQJ98
♥Q1098
♦32
♣32
|
4♥. “Pass, or correct to
4♠.” |
♠AK983 ♥AQ109 ♦32 ♣32 |
3♥. Strong heart raise. If
partner bids 3♠, then ♠ will be trumps instead. |
♠QJ987 ♥K8 ♦1032 ♣1032 |
3♣. And over 3♦ -
Pass. |
♠AQJ8 ♥53 ♦A32 ♣J983 |
3♦. Forcing. “Why do I have
to rush to declare NT with a doubleton
♥?” |
♠QJ987 ♥A3 ♦J76 ♣Q93 |
2NT. “Let’s see what partner has, then
figure out what to do.” |
(---)
(---)
Jump-shifts in a Major
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
The convention concerns 2
♥/♠ response to
1♣/
♦ opening. The structure is the following:
2♥ |
5 ♠, 4+ ♥, 7–9 HCP; |
2♠ |
Invite to 3NT – transferring declarer play to
partner. |
On the minus plus is abandoning strong jump-shifts. On the plus side is the
following reasoning: The first treatment comes handy when partner opens
1♣/♦ and then rebids his suit. Over 1♣ opening (and
partner’s rebidding ♣) we want 2♥ to be forcing (see:
Auctions after Opener Rebids Clubs). Over 1♦ opening
(and partner’s rebidding ♦) we need
2♥ as a Cheap Transfer.
The second treatment has two advantages. Firstly, it allows for transferring
declarer play if needed. Secondly, after 1♣ opening the treatment makes it
possible to distinguish between 2♠ - invite and 2NT
– forcing. No more do we need the worst response to 1♣: 3NT !
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠KJ976 ♥QJ765 ♦J ♣J9 |
2♥. This shows 5 ♠ and at least
4 ♥. |
♠KJ1087 ♥AJ1087 ♦32 ♣3 |
1♠. Just a bit too strong for
2♥. |
♠K107 ♥AQ7 ♦J102 ♣J974 |
2NT. Invite. No transfer needed. |
♠A32 ♥K32 ♦QJ2 ♣Q432 |
2♠. “You’d better be declarer in no trumps.” |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
Card |
Comments |
♠KJ8 ♥73 ♦QJ76 ♣KQ93 |
2NT. "Ugh. We both might be short of
♥ stop." |
♠KJ8 ♥73 ♦QJ106 ♣AQJ3 |
3NT. "I’d prefer to be dummy. Can’t we
change the system for a while?" |
♠AQJ76 ♥AQ74 ♦J102 ♣A |
3♠. Strange. If we play ♠, you will be declarer. |
♠A32 ♥K3 ♦QJ2 ♣AQ432 |
3♣. Forcing. |
(---)
Transfers After an Enemy Overcall
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
Using transfers after an opponent overcalls is gaining popularity. The reasons
are similar to those over a 1
NT opening:
- The contract is declared from a more convenient side;
- You can show your suit with a weak hand, or strong hand.
Let us discuss the first concept. If the opponent entered the auction,
it is most likely they bid for the lead. So let him make the opening lead
himself !
In the model case our hand has the Ace-Queen of a suit, and the defenders
have the King. If the King is in front of the Ace, then the lead does not matter.
But if the King is behind the Ace, then it is much better to have the lead
coming towards our hand.
Consider some other combinations:
In each of the above layouts, it’s better to have the North hand declaring,
and not the South hand.
Moreover, even with a good stopper it may be better to let partner declare:
As we will also show, transfers can also be useful for the rapid determination
of the total number of trumps, which can be crucial in competitive bidding.
In PCI we propose using transfers in the most basic situation:
The opponents overcall 1♦/♥
- transfers are played to majors and NT.
We use transfers:
X |
At least 4 ♥; |
1♥ |
At least 4 ♠; |
1♠ |
Transfer to NT; |
2♦ |
At least 5 ♥; |
2♥ |
At least 5 ♠; |
Other |
Other bids are natural. |
X |
At least 4 ♠; |
1♠ |
Transfer to NT; |
2♥ |
At least 5 ♠; |
This prompts the question: why have two different transfers to ♠?
The answer is: to help partner out if the auction heats up.
Suppose that we play standard approach:
Partner |
Opp |
You |
Opp |
1♦ |
1♥ |
1♠ |
3/4♥ |
Should partner support us with three spades ?
If you want partner to outbid the opponents with three cards in your suit,
transfer at the two-level. If not, transfer at the one-level.
Quiz 1
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠KJ76 ♥AQ92 ♦Q62 ♣84 |
X. Four ♠. You will have time to get to NT
if necessary. |
♠K9762 ♥KJ3 ♦42 ♣Q76 |
X. At least 4 ♠. Do you want partner to outcompete the
opponents’ ♥ with just three ♠?
Absolutely not ! |
♠KJ1098 ♥832 ♦K32 ♣J3 |
2♥. If the opponents jump in
♥, and partner has three ♠, it is
definitely good to hear about it. |
♠AJ1087 ♥3 ♦QJ54 ♣986 |
2♥. If the opponents bid
3♥, and partner does not raise ♠ (no
3 cards), you will raise to 4♦. |
♠QJ10876 ♥3 ♦Q87 ♣986 |
2♥. “Partner, give me a boost if
you have a ♠ fit.” |
♠J9876 ♥Q32 ♦Q65 ♣KJ |
X. ♠ are too weak for 2♥. |
♠AJ965 ♥73 ♦4 ♣KQ1093 |
2♥. If they raise to
3♥, and partner does not support ♠,
you will introduce ♣. |
Note! The transfer to
NT merely states that it is best
that this hand does not declare
NT, so transferring may or
may not show a stopper!
(---)
Quiz 2
++
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠K103 ♥AQ4 ♦J102 ♣Q1043 |
1♠. “Partner, bid NT. Maybe you have the
Jack or Ten of ♥.” |
♠AK10 ♥75 ♦J102 ♣AQ43 |
1♠. Partner will probably bid 1NT.
Then ask with 2♥, “Partner do you
actually have a ♥ stopper?” |
♠K103 ♥Q1043 ♦J102 ♣K43 |
1NT. You don’t fear playing
NT from your hand. |
♠K103 ♥K43 ♦J102 ♣Q432 |
1♠. “If, partner, you have the Queen or Jack of
♥, it is better to play
NT from your hand. If not, nothing to worry
about – I have them stopped.” |
(---)
Note ! After we open 1
♦, and they overcall
1
♥, a transfer to
NT may also be an
invite or better raise (because 2
♥ is no longer
available – it is a transfer to ♠).
Quiz 3
++
What do you plan to do with these hands ?
♠K97 ♥43 ♦Q1092 ♣Q1043 |
2♦. You have a fit, so show
it. |
♠K97 ♥3 ♦J1092 ♣Q10432 |
3♦. Preemptive with a
♦ fit. |
♠K97 ♥43 ♦Q1092 ♣AQ43 |
1♠. Transfer to NT. On the next round bid
3♦, invitational raise. |
♠A97 ♥43 ♦QJ92 ♣AQ43 |
1♠. With this hand you should get to game. Therefore on
the next round bid the opponent’s suit –
2♥: Forcing to game and asking for a
stopper. |
(---)
Continuations
(
PCI Polish Club International
Pro)
After partner’s transfer to a major at the one-level, and fourth seat Pass:
- Completing the transfer shows a 3-card fit;
- Completing the transfer with a jump shows a 4-card fit;
- 2♦ after 1♣ opening is Odwrotka.
Quiz 1
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♣
? |
1♥ |
X |
Pass |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠875 ♥K32 ♦Q9 ♣AKJ87 |
1♠. Spades played from the right side. |
♠875 ♥AKJ ♦KJ3 ♣Q987 |
1NT. Despite holding three ♠.
What use would rules be without exceptions ? |
♠Q432 ♥A32 ♦K43 ♣KJ3 |
2♠. The “pancake” shape should not lead us off the path
– we have to show a 4-card fit. |
♠KQ3 ♥A32 ♦K43 ♣AQJ2 |
2♦. Odwrotka. |
(---)
Quiz 2
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♣
? |
1♥ |
X |
2♥ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠Q103 ♥65 ♦AJ103 ♣KQ65 |
X. Support double. Suggesting a Moysian fit. |
♠Q103 ♥KJ10 ♦A876 ♣KJ3 |
Pass. Defensive hand. Let them play it. |
♠Q103 ♥AJ3 ♦A876 ♣AKJ |
X. Support double. Partner will probably bid 2♠, and we
will follow with 2NT. Showing strength and
fit. |
♠J654 ♥K32 ♦A32 ♣A32 |
2♠. Duty is duty. |
(---)
After a transfer to
NT, the bidding proceeds a little
differently after 1♣, than after 1
♦:
- After 1♣ and a transfer to NT, opener with a weak
variant must bid 1NT, and all other bids show a
strong variant;
- After 1♦ opener is free to choose a
most descriptive bid.
Quiz 3
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♣
? |
1♥ |
1♠ |
Pass |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠K32 ♥Q4 ♦Q32 ♣AJ1076 |
1NT. Happy to declare NT.
If partner has the King or Ace (or even Jack) of
♥, it is best played from our
hand. |
♠K32 ♥43 ♦Q32 ♣AJ1076 |
1NT. We have no choice. 2♣ would be a
stronger hand. If partner has no heart stopper, and wants to
bid higher, he must ask with
2♥. |
♠K32 ♥K4 ♦QJ2 ♣AKQ32 |
2NT. Strong ♣ with a
♥ stopper. |
♠KJ2 ♥32 ♦KQ2 ♣AKQ32 |
2♥. Strong ♣ without a
♥ stopper. |
(---)
Quiz 4
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♦
? |
1♥ |
1♠ |
Pass |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠KQ107 ♥J3 ♦AJ987 ♣J2 |
1NT. You have nothing new to show. Partner
does not have ♠. You are not promising a heart stopper ! |
♠K3 ♥32 ♦AJ987 ♣KQ103 |
2♣. Descriptive. Partner may have ♣. |
♠K3 ♥J2 ♦KQ10876 ♣Q32 |
2♦.Shows the sixth
♦. |
(---)
How do we bid after a two-level transfer ? If fourth seat Passes, you just
assume responder has a weak hand and complete the transfer. Anything else shows
a big hand or interesting distribution.
Quiz 5
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♣
? |
1♥ |
2♥ |
Pass |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠32 ♥AQ3 ♦KJ98 ♣KJ98 |
2♠. True, you have 14 HCP and a good
♥ stopper. But relax, partner may have
a wasteland. |
♠Q32 ♥32 ♦A76 ♣AKJ98 |
3♠. If you go one down, apologize. |
♠Q2 ♥AQ6 ♦AJ3 ♣AQ1032 |
2NT. Strong ♣. |
♠6 ♥87 ♦KQJ3 ♣AKJ976 |
3♣. “Sorry partner, I have a better suit. True, 3♣ is
forcing and we may get too high.” |
Nefarious opponents have a bad habit of getting into our auction. However,
if partner has transferred at the 2-level and we have 3-card support we
should support him.
(---)
Quiz 6
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♦
? |
1♥ |
2♥ |
3♥ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠K32 ♥Q4 ♦AJ10873 ♣K3 |
3♠. “Here come the cavalry, partner!” |
♠K32 ♥KQ ♦Q10765 ♣Q97 |
Pass. “I refuse to support you because of the honors in
♥.” |
♠K32 ♥2 ♦AJ10873 ♣KQ2 |
4♠. Might go down. But if the hand in the first example
bids 3♠, this hand is much better. |
(---)
Quiz 7
++
You |
Opp |
Partner |
Opp |
1♣
? |
1♥ |
2♥ |
4♥ |
How do you bid the following hands ?
♠K432 ♥987 ♦KJ3 ♣AJ3 |
4♠. All signs are that partner has short
♥, and you have nothing wasted. Although
your distribution is unfortunate, you have to raise. |
♠K32 ♥87 ♦A98 ♣KQ1087 |
4♠. Risky. But partner strongly suggested to outbid
the opponents, via the 2-level transfer. |
♠QJ3 ♥QJ3 ♦KJ ♣KJ1087 |
Pass. |
(---)
I wish all PCI players to let opponents buy the bidding – only when
both sides do not make any game.