Page 5 - BB201111

B B
5 BETTER
VOL. 16, NO. 2
BRIDGE
N OVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
By the time responder has to
make a second bid, responder
has heard two bids from
opener, providing a good idea about
the strength and distribution of
opener’s hand. It would seem that
this should make it much easier for
responder to decide HOW HIGH and
WHERE to place the contract, or
whether to get more information
from opener.
The irony is that even though
responder has a lot of information,
the choices that responder has to
make are not always easy. One of the
biggest challenges comes from the
concept of preference:
OPENER RESPONDER
1 1
2 2
Pass
After opener shows two suits,
responder gives preference back to
opener’s first suit, diamonds, with
equal length in both the suits opener
has shown. It’s the length in partner’s
suits, not the strength that is important.
2 is only a seven-card fit, but it’s
better than playing in a six-card club
fit. This is the basic idea behind
giving preference.
Returning to opener’s first suit when
holding more cards in the second
suit is called false preference. It’s a
common thing for responder to do.
OPENER RESPONDER
1 1NT
2 2
Pass
Even though responder prefers
diamonds to spades, the guideline
suggests returning to spades—false
preference. There are a number of
reasons for this.
Opener has at least five cards in
the first suit and may have as few as
four in the second. Opener will be no
worse off in the 5–2 fit than a 4–3 fit.
In fact, if opener has to play in a
seven-card fit, having five trumps in
one hand will usually be better than
only four trumps. If the defenders’
six trumps divide 4–2, as might be
expected, declarer will have no trumps
left after drawing trumps with a 4–3
fit. Declarer will still have a trump
left with a 5–2 fit.
Opener might also have six cards
in the first suit and only four in the
second. So going back to the first
suit will put the partnership in it’s
eight-card fit.
Opener’s bid of a second suit covers
a wide range of strength, anywhere
from about 13 up to 18 points, just
short of the strength needed for a
jump shift. If responder passes the
second suit, opener won’t get a chance
to show the extra strength. By giving
false preference, opener gets another
opportunity to bid.
O PENER RESPONDER
1 1NT
2 2
2NT 3NT
If responder passes 2 , the auction
is over. By giving false preference
back to 2 , opener can show the top
of the 13–18 point range with an
invitational bid of 2NT. Responder
accepts, and the excellent game
contract is reached.
Giving preference back to opener’s
first suit also gives opener a chance
to further describe the distribution:
OPENER RESPONDER
1 1NT
2 2
3 4
By giving false preference back to
2 , opener has a chance to further
describe the hand by rebidding hearts
to show a five-card suit, along with
some interest in reaching game. With
a minimum hand, opener would have
simply passed the preference back to
2 . Responder now knows WHERE
the partnership belongs, and with
some useful cards in partner’s suits,
accepts the invitation.
Giving the appropriate preference is
especially important if the partnership
plays 2/1 Game Force. Responder’s
1NT response is forcing after a major-
suit opening. Opener’s 2 or 2
rebid could be only a three-card suit:
OPENER RESPONDER
1 1NT*
2 2
With only five hearts, opener has to
bid a three-card minor after the forcing
1NT bid. By giving false preference
back to 2 , the partnership avoids
playing in a six-card trump fit.
by
Audrey Grant Preference — True or False?
GIVING P REFERENCE
If opener bids two suits, responder
should always give preference back
to the first suit with equal length,
and usually give preference back
to the first suit with one or even
more cards in the second suit.
OPENER RESPONDER
K Q 10 8 3 J 4
A 3 10 7 4 2
K 8 4 3 Q 7 5
9 3 A 8 6 5
OPENER RESPONDER
K 4 Q 10 3
A K J 8 2 Q 6
7 3 J 10 8 5 2
K Q J 5 A 6 2
OPENER RESPONDER
K 4 2 Q 6 5
A Q 10 6 3 J 2
5 3 J 7 6 4 2
A 9 4 Q 6 2
OPENER RESPONDER
A Q 7 4 2 K 3
K Q J 6 3 A 10 4
K 3 10 8 6 2
4 Q 7 5 3
OPENER RESPONDER
4 J 9 7 5 3
A 6 2 9 7 5 3
K Q 10 7 3 J 4
K J 6 2 A 5