SEO Version
3. V
UL
:
N-S
D
LR
: W
EST
Fred:
3 —Bidding over a ‘reverse’—like partner’s 2
rebid—is a difficult subject, and I am not sure if there
is any standard in this area. What I think—and hope!—
partner will assume is that the reverse promises another
bid. If so, then partner won’t pass 3 . A good thing since
my hand is easily strong enough to force to game opposite
a reverse. I like the idea of showing my support for
partner’s primary suit immediately, while leaving open
the possibility of playing in either spades or in notrump.
Andrew:
2NT — An awkward hand. That’s the reason
many partnerships use conventional methods after opener
makes a reverse bid. Without such an agreement, I think
the most practical bid is 2NT, givenmy holding in the unbid
suit, clubs. Partner can still show three-card support for
spades by bidding 3 , so a spade fit won’t be missed.
Shawn:
3 — I have enough to force to game, and I
want a further description of partner’s hand. We may
have an eight-card spade fit, or partner may have six
diamonds, or perhaps four clubs. We may even have a
slam if partner has no spades. So I will force with 3
and await developments.
Henry:
3 — This deal has all the earmarks of a
notrump contract, so should we bid 3 ? No! We are in
slam territory if partner has a true reverse. It’s much
more important to show the fit. Partner could easily
have:
2
A K 8 5
K Q J 8 5
A 9 4
—a typical reverse that would produce an easy slam.
Summary:
Opener’s bid of a second suit at the two level
that is higher-ranking than opener’s first suit is a reverse.
Why is this sometimes referred to as the ‘dreaded’
(
see page 15
) reverse? Even our expert panelists have
differences of opinion on what happens next.
Opener’s reverse shows either a medium-strength
hand of about 17–18 points, or a maximum-strength
hand of about 19–21 points. The modern style is that it
is forcing for at least one round. Responder can’t pass.
So what are responder’s priorities? Opener is known to
have at least five cards in the first suit, so some of the panel
want to let opener know about the fit. Is the preference
to 3 forcing? Most experienced partnerships would
treat it that way, but this is probably a good area for a
discussion in our own partnerships.
B B
7
B
ETTER
V
OL
. 16, N
O
. 2
B
RIDGE
N
OVEMBER
/D
ECEMBER
2011
4. V
UL
:
B
OTH
D
LR
: N
ORTH
Fred:
3 — This might be the last of the various calls
—such as 3 , 3NT, and 4 —that the readers may
consider, but I think it is the correct call. 3 has the
advantage of slowing the auction down and leaving
plenty of room for partner to show spade support, bid
notrump, rebid clubs, or emphasize the hearts. My next
call will be an easy one no matter what. Partner should
not expect three-card heart support here. 3 is simply a
preference, not a raise.
Andrew:
4 —An honest raise, prepared to pass 4 or
4 from partner. There’s no need to muddy things with
3 , given our primary support for clubs. After all, we
could easily belong in 6 facing a hand such as:
3 A K 7 5 4 A 8 3 A K J 9.
Shawn:
3 — I don’t want to raise clubs just yet. It
would take us beyond 3NT. Let’s see what partner bids
over 3 , and that will determine my next bid. Partner
may rebid hearts, showing a six-card suit, or show spade
support, or rebid clubs.
Henry:
4
— Show the fit. Partner has a huge hand,
and it’s important to tell partner about the fit before
examining slam possibilities.
Summary:
Here opener has made a jump in a new suit,
a jump shift. That shows a maximum-strength hand of
about 19–21 points, and the general agreement is that it
is forcing to game. Responder can’t pass, but what are
responder’s priorities?With four-card support for opener’s
second suit, some of the panel is willing to tell partner
about the fit. However, that takes the partnership beyond
3NT, and it’s possible that opener has ‘manufactured’ a
3 rebid on a three-card suit with a strong hand but no
reasonable alternative. Half the panel is wary of all this
and prefers to bide time by giving false preference or
simply bidding yet another suit.
As can be seen from both this deal and the previous
one, responder’s task is not necessarily made any easier
when opener shows a strong hand, as well as something
about the distribution. Responder may need more
information before determining H
OW
H
IGH
and W
HERE
the partnership belongs. Here, raising partner’s second
suit tells opener about the fit, but will it make things any
easier when we hear opener’s next bid?
N
W E
S
J 10 7 6 3
6 4
A 9 7
K Q 8
D
1 2
1
?
Pass Pass
Pass Pass
N
W
E
S
Q J 10 7 4
J 8
K 7
Q 8 6 3
Pass
Pass Pass
1
?
1 3
D
Powered by FlippingBook Publisher