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Forcing Bids – Persuasive bidding for the strong silent type!
Recall in our last issue we learned that when we make a call, our
partner determines if our bid is forcing, invitational, or a
signoff attempt. For our newsletter series we will use the modern
Standard American system with 5 card majors, takeout and negative
doubles, preemptive weak two opening bids and briefly touch on
cuebids. Here again is a brief review of bidding basics:
Signoff: Either partner bids or rebids Notrump at the lowest
available level.
Signoff: Either partner rebids either their own suit or partner’s
suit at the lowest level.
Forcing: One partner opens the bidding and the other partner
responds with a new suit (unless partner already passed the
bidding).
Invitational: Including a jump bid in partner’s suit or a raise to
2 Notrump after partner’s opening 1 Notrump bid.
It’s
probably worth restating some basic thoughts on how to be a good
partner:
1. Learn the basics of what bids are forcing, invitational, and
signoff.
2. Be aware of who’s “captain” (in control) – the partner of the
bidder limiting hand.
3. Avoid making confusing bids that will torture partner – don’t
“get creative” at the table.
4. Consider all strange bids as forcing.
5. When a bid could be interpreted as natural, take that
inference.
6. Never mastermind the bidding – bid your values.
7. New bids show new values – suit rebids should show extra length
(don’t repeat yourself).
8. Never pass a known forcing bid by partner. Even if you think
you know the bid as right, your partner may not trust you again.
9. When an opponent makes an intervening bid after a forcing bid
by partner, you may temporarily pass knowing partner will not
pass. Freebids generally show extra values unless signing off in
game.
10. When partner made a forcing bid and you are forced to make a
difficult call, consider making the cheapest available
non-conventional suit bid (not notrump).
11. For mortal partners, avoid psyches (false bids). Your partner
may neither understand nor appreciate the “joke.” If you elect to
psyche, take full responsibility for the false bid and be prepared
to apologize to partner.
12. Do not make bids that punish your partner, such as passing and
then pushing the bidding after partner made a balancing bid in the
passout seat.
Also recall that both the opener and responder hand strengths come
in three varieties:
maximum, medium, minimum. According to partner’s bid and our hand
strength, partner’s bid takes one of three forms: forcing,
invitational, signoff.
Opener: 12-15 minimum, 16-18 medium, 19-21 maximum (22+ super
maximum).
Responder: 6-9/10 minimum, 10-12 medium, 12/13+ maximum.
Game is at the 4 level in a major suit or 3 Notrump game,
requiring 25/26 playing points. Figure on adding 4 points to go up
each bidding level, so a 5 level minor suit game requires 29
playing points; a small slam at the 6 level requires 33 or more
points with a 7 level grandslam requiring 37+ points with all the
attendant Aces and Kings.
Okay, let’s jump into bidding some challenging auctions and their
meanings:
1C – 2N; Game forcing (denies a four card major) according to the
Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC). However, today many play
this call as invitational when playing the modern Standard
American system. As always, be sure you and your partnership
agree on your methods before you sit down at the
table.
1H – 4N; Most play 4 Notrump as Ace asking Blackwood
convention.
2N
– 4C;
Many play 4C as Ace asking Gerber convention over partner’s
Notrump call.
1H – 1S; Responder could rebid 2 or 3 Notrump with a
stopper. For most bidding
2D – 3C; systems, bidding the fourth suit is a forcing bid
asking opener for a further
3N – ?; hand description. But after this auction
where opener rebids 3 Notrump,
partnership agreements are needed how to ask
for Aces (4C, 5C, 4N?)
1D
– 2S;
Typically a strong jump shift by responder, game forcing (16-18
points) with a great self-sustaining suit and interest in slam in
the specified suit (setting trump suit).
1S – 1N; Strong jump shift by opener – game forcing, showing
19+21 points.
3D
1D – (X) – 3D; For many classic bidders, 3 Diamonds in a limit
raise. However, the modern style is to play skip bids after
opponents’ takeout double as a weak jump raise (preemptive with
less than 6 points). Incidentally, while a weak jump raise is not
alertable in this auction, it may be “kosher” for opener to alert
your opponents of such treatment when playing in a friendly social
game.
1D – (X) – 2S; Ditto here – the modern style considers a jump in
a new suit as a weak jump shift. With 6+ points, responder can
simply bid their 4+ card suit (forcing), signoff in 1 Notrump with
8-10 points, invite 2 Notrump with 11-12 point, or redouble with
10+ points and lacking a clear suit bid.
1N
– 2C;
Making a 2 Notrump rebid is not a proper Stayman response;
responder is
2N captain so opener must either bid 2 of a
four card major suit or 2 Diamonds without a four card major. The
only exception is when an opponent intervenes before opener’s
rebid.
1C
– 2D;
Partnership agreement, possibly strong jump shift or a
conventional bid.
1D
– 3C;
Partnership agreement, possibly strong jump shift or a similar
conventional bid.
1N – 3C/D; Partnership agreement – one popular treatment uses
responder’s minor suit jump here to invite 3 Notrump game with
good 6 cards in minor suit (invitational). Opener passes or
accepts the 3 Notrump invitation with help in the minor suit
(usually 3 cards in the minor).
1N – 3H/S; Partnership agreement, classically slam interest in
the major suit.
1N
– 2C;
Partnership agreement – probably game forcing as well as a slam
try in the minor
2x – 3C; suit (legacy treatment was a signoff bid).
1H
– 3C;
Likely a strong jump shift, but some use special conventions –
partnership agreement.
1C – 1S; Generally, responder’s new suit rebid is forcing one
round (but see below).
2C – 2H;
1C
– 1S;
A challenging auction – opener’s 1 Notrump rebid shows a balanced
12-14 points.
1N – 2H; But unlike the above auction, after opener
rebids 1 Notrump then responder’s rebid in a lower suit is not
forcing. Yes, at first this is subtle difference is confusing!
Many emerging players are not aware that this bidding scenario
“should be” non-forcing, figuring any new suit bid by responder
should be forcing. Regardless, it’s far more important to be in
tune with partnership methods than be technically right according
to generally accepted Bridge standards.
1H
– 1S;
For most, responder’s jump in new suit is game forcing. However,
some advanced
1N – 3C; players prefer to play this auction as
non-forcing (when playing
New Minor Forcing).
1C – 1H; A
reverse rebid by responder is game forcing, promising 12+
points.
2C – 2S; Okay, what’s a reverse you ask? A reverse is when a
player “breaks the barrier” from one bidding level to a higher
level and also rebids in a higher ranking suit (the second suit is
always shorter). In this example, responder indeed made a
reverse by both raising the bidding from the one to two level and
bidding a higher ranking suit at the higher level – from 1 Heart
to 2 Spades. If this is a bit much to remember, consider the
challenge of opener’s next bid. In most situations, opener will
not have a fit with responder’s second suit. At this point opener
must make a difficult 3 level bid to support responder’s first
bid. Thus, a reverse bid is forcing – game forcing by responder
and at least one round forcing when opener makes a reverse. Now
let’s look at opener’s reverse.
1C – 1H; Here it’s the opener that is making a reversing call,
first bidding 1 Club then
2D both breaking the barrier into the 2 level and
rebidding a higher ranking Diamond suit. Again note partner, here
the responder, must rebid at the 3 level to support either of
opener’s suits. And since responder may only hold 6 HCP, it makes
sense that opener should hold 17 or more points to ensure the
partnership can make a 3 level contract.
1H – 1S; Classically responder’s new minor suit rebid is at
best invitational after opener
1N – 2D; rebids 1 Notrump, with responder showing an apparent
misfit after opener’s Notrump rebid. However, advanced players use
the new minor suit as an artificial (forcing) treatment, known as
the
New Minor Forcing convention.
3C – 3H; One round forcing. If responder’s rebid is yet
another new suit after opener’s rebid, the bid is game forcing
(more common when opener begins with a preemptive weak two bid).
1H – 2H; Opener is making a
game try after reaching a suit agreement; typically opener is
3C seeking help in rebid suit.
1D – 1S; Bidding the fourth suit at the 2 or 3 level
may be an artificial bid.
2C – 2H; At the 2 level, bidding the fourth suit is one
round forcing (or game forcing, with partnership agreement).
1D – 1S; After partnership finds a major suit fit, responder’s
new suit bid is game forcing.
2S – 3C;
A partnership should also discuss methods when partner is a passed
hand or conventional bids are made in a competitive auction.
Now let’s explore situations when an opponent overcalls with a
double:
1D – (X) - P With a balanced 6-7 points and no 4+ card major
or combined 8 card fit with partner, responder may temporarily
pass. Playing Standard American 5 card major suit opening bids,
responder requires 3 cards in the major suit to respond in
opener’s suit. However, when opener begins with a minor suit,
it’s a good idea for responder to hold 5+ cards in the suit since
opener may have begun with a 3 card minor, e.g. a “convenient
minor.”
1S – (X) – XX One level suit redoubles by responder promises 10+
points. The opponents may begin squirming with adverse
vulnerability. In fact, your side may enjoy more points when
opponents are set when vulnerable at the 2 level than if your side
mad a non-vulnerable game. But be careful if the opponents have a
long trump suit or your side has the makings of a slam.
1D – (X) – 2N Invitational, some play as showing a fit in
opener’s suit (the
Jordan convention).
For those who are comfortable with responder redoubling with 10+
points and bidding Jordan 2 Notrump as a limit-plus raise in
partner’s opening bid suit, they may wish to play the advanced
treatment below. For the rest of us mortals, we will stick to
classic methods.
1C
– (X) – 1S
Most classic players adhere to the theory that any new suit
bid by responder is forcing at least one round, showing a 4+ card
suit. However, some advanced (duplicate) players play a peculiar
treatment where responder’s 1 level overcall shows a 5 card suit
but is not forcing. Playing matchpoint scoring where making a
Notrump contract enjoys a premium, these duplicate players bypass
a four card major figuring it would be unlikely to find a major
suit fit after RHO’s double.
1D
– (X) – 2C
Here again, the classic treatment is that responder’s new suit bid
is forcing, always showing 5+ at the two level. But here again,
some advanced (duplicate) players play responder’s 2 level bid as
not strictly forcing (less than 10 points after takeout double).
But unless you are playing special methods with an advanced
partner, it’s best to consider partner’s 2 level bid as forcing
for one round.
When an opponent makes an intervening call after partner opens 1
Notrump:
1N – 2C Recall 2C
Stayman is conventional, asking opener to bid a major or 2D.
1N – (2C) – X A convenient method is to play responder’s double
of the intervening 2C overcall is “Stayman” promising a 4 card
major suit. While this treatment is fairly common, it’s still an
alertable bid since technically the double of 2 Clubs a
conventional response.
1N
– (2D) – ? How should responder show Hearts – bid 2H or double the
intervening 2D ovecall as a “stolen bid,” implying a
Jacoby Transfer to the next higher suit? While either method
has merits, playing “shadow
doubles” as a stolen bid is both forcing and alertable by
opener since the call is conventional and not for penalty. More
on Jacoby Transfers below.
1N – (P) – 2C – (X); With an intervening call by opponent,
opener may pass without a better bid.
1N – 2D/2H/2S Playing
Jacoby Transfers, responder bids are conventional requiring
opener to bid higher ranking suit bid.
1N – (P) - 2D/2H/2S – (X) Playing Jacoby transfers, opener may
pass without a fit.
1N
– 2D/2H/2S If not playing Jacoby transfers, the “standard treatment” for
responders 2D/2H/2S bids are signoff. However, be certain your
partner agrees with this standard agreement. Experience shows
that even though a player does not play Jacoby transfers, a fair
number of social Bridge players have their own idea that all
responder 2 level bids are still forcing. So while you are
technically “right” that 2D, 2H or 2S ought be signoff bids if not
playing transfers, it’s still a good idea to double-check with a
new partner before sitting down to play.
This brings up an interesting question: should a partnership play
peculiar or different forcing/non-forcing methods when playing
Rubber Bridge with a part score? Bridge books and teachers would
generally say “no” but some partners have their own ideas. Know
thy partner!
When partner makes a strong 2 Club artificial bid, responder’s
methods vary. Playing 2 Diamonds as a waiting call is standard.
With 8+ points and a very good 5+ card suit, responder can respond
2H, 2S, 3C, 3D; with a balanced 8+ count, responder bids 2
Notrump. However, some play conventional treatments as point step
bids, control step bids, 2H bust, etc. Here we will focus on
responder’s 2D response as a waiting bid.
2C – 2D; Waiting, generally indicating less than 8 points.
2C
– 2D;
Opener’s 2 Notrump rebid is invitational with 22-23 points,
responder may pass
2N - ?: with a bust. Responder’s rebid should be
treated the same as when an opener began with a 2 Notrump call.
So if you are playing Stayman and Jacoby Transfers, these bids
ought to apply here as well – just be sure your partner agrees
before making these bids!
2C – 2D; Opener’s suit rebid is one round forcing.
2S
2C – 2D; Responder’s jump bid after a strong 2C opener is
game forcing.
3H
2C
– 2D;
How would responder bid Stayman or Gerber Ace asking? (4C/5C/4N)?
3N - ?; Know thy partner! Also, Jacoby Transfer
bids would apply here.
2C – 2H; Responder shows 8+ points and usually 2 of top 3 in
a 5 card suit with slam interest, absolutely game forcing.
2C – 2N; Responder shows 8-10 and interest in slam. Without
very good honors in a suit, responder should not take away strong
partner’s play of the hand. So responder’s 2 Notrump call could
be with a fair 5 card suit.
2C
– 2D;
A tough auction – many play opener’s 3H rebid as invitational but
non-forcing.
2H – 2S; But holding a Queen or better, responder
should try to bid game somewhere.
3H
2C
– 2D;
Responder’s 2D bid followed by the cheaper non-bid minor suit is
known as a
2H – 3C; “double negative” warning opener of poor
values. At this point, opener must set the final contract in
partscore or game.
2C
– 3H;
Now here’s an odd bid that responder should avoid without a prior
partnership agreement. Fundamentally, it’s considered
anti-partnership for the player with the weak hand to autonomously
steer the auction. Unlike the scenario where responder is
“captain” when opener begins with a Notrump call, the 2C opener
has a strong say on steering the auction. Some partnerships use
the irregular 3 level jump bid by responder to show a poor hand
denying game values. If so, responder is asking strong opener to
either allow responder to play in the named suit or bid game with
extras. BridgeHands does not endorse peculiar bids
that tend to confuse one’s partner or are easily forgotten, so be
extra careful when making odd bids.
2C
– (interference) - ?
When an opponent overcalls partner’s 2C strong opening bid, how
should we proceed? Many partnerships ignore the overcall, where
responder’s suit call is natural, promising a very good 5+ card
suit and is forcing beneath game-level auctions.
2C – (2x) – P Responder may pass opener’s strong 2C
call in a “freebid” seat after an overcall; opener has another
chance to make a call, such as:
2C – (2x) – P – (P); Typically responder is forced to bid
after opener’s takeout double
X - (P) - ? of Right Hand Opponent’s suit.
But if responder has a big trump stack in RHO’s suit, it’s a tough
bid that requires careful consideration of vulnerability (penalty
versus bonus points).
(1C) – X – (P) - ? When partner makes a takeout double and
responder passes, we are forced to make a bid in a new suit. As
advancer, we make the lowest level bid to show 0-7/8 points
(signoff), jump one level with 9—11 points (invitational) and
either double-jump or cue-bid then opponent’s suit to force game.
(1C) – X – (2C) - ? When responder overcalls, the advancer is no
longer forced to make a call. In this “freebid” situation, we may
pass with lackluster values (less than about 4 points and no long
suit).
When partner makes a takeout double, advancer is generally forced
to bid.
(1D) – X – (P) – 1H; With 0-7/8 points, advancer makes the
lowest available suit bid.
(1D) – X – (P) – 2S; Advancer’s jump bid shows 9-11 points and
is invitational.
(1S) – X – (P) – 1N; With 6-8 points and at least one stopper,
advancer may bid Notrump.
(1D) – 1H – (P) – 1N; Incidentally, when partner overcalls in a
suit and advancer has around 7-10 points and no better call,
advancer may balance making a Notrump call (non-forcing). In most
situations like the above auction, we should have 1.5 – 2 stoppers
in opponents’ suit to make a Notrump bid. But here, advancer’s
Notrump call does not promise a stopper after partner overcalls
making a suit bid.
(1D) – X – (P) – 2D; Advancer’s cuebid of opponent’s suit is
game forcing (not natural).
(1D) – X – (P) – 1H; When doubler raises advancer’s minimum bid, typically it’s
invitational
(P) - 2H although some play the bid
simply as competitive.
(1C) - ? What should the overcaller bid when holding a very
good hand with 17+ points? We don’t want our partner to pass with
a lackluster 8 points, so how do we alert partner we hold a
terrific hand seeking game when partner holds 8+ points. A nice
treatment is to first double, then rebid Notrump or a long
self-sustaining suit (5+ cards with very good honors). Here’s the
theory: when advancer is asked to pick from among 3 suits and
overcalling partner then denies advancers request
for help, the advancer is alerted partner has a terrific hand.
Playing this treatment, overcaller’s double and irregular
follow-up bid is strongly invitational. Note: some partnerships
do not play this treatment – their treatment is called an
“off-shape double” (doubler does not promise a 3+ card side suit
nor promise a strong hand when rebidding a different suit than
advancer’s bid suit.
(1H) – X – (P) – 1S; When opener doubles and bids a new suit, it shows 16-21
points and is
(P) - 2C highly invitational
(1H) – X – (P) – 1S; When overcaller doubles, advancer dutifully bids a new suit,
and
(P) - 2H overcaller next cuebids the
opponent’s suit, the cuebid is game forcing.
Entire books have been written on cuebids – we won’t attempt to
cover all the permutations here. Basically, when partner bids the
opponents’ suit, pard is “cueing” with a strong forcing response.
Depending on the bidding scenario, cuebids can be used to:
Show a strong suit fit with partner.
Show a two-suited hand.
Show a control in a suit (Ace, King or shortness).
Show a stopper in a suit.
Ask for a stopper in a suit.
Show a half-stopper in a suit.
For the curious and brave Bridge players, we refer you to our
BridgeHands
Encyclopedia covering cuebidding. In
summary, without interference all cuebids are forcing, including
Limit Plus Raise,
Western Cuebid,
Eastern Cuebid,
Control Showing,
Michaels Cuebid,
Splinter Bids,
Choice of Game Cuebid,
All Purpose,
Tops and Bottoms,
Colorful,
Unassuming (exception:
Sandwich Overcall). We’ve covered some above and give you another taste test below.
When your side interferes with the bidding, the overcaller and
advancer bids take new meaning.
(1H) – 1S – (P) - ?; Without a fit, no 5+ card suit, and no
stoppers in opponents’ suit, it’s okay to pass when holding less
than 8 points. Remember, partner may have overcalled with 8
points. As we saw above, partner can first double and rebid
Notrump or a new suit when holding a good 16-21 points.
(1D) – 1H – (P) – 1S Advancer’s 1 level bid is non-forcing.
(1D) – 1H – (P) – 2C Advancer’s 2 level bid in a new suit is
constructive, some play as one round forcing.
(1D) – 1H – (P) – 2D; Cuebidding opponents’ opening bid by
advancer is one round forcing showing a fit with partner’s suit.
With a minimum, overcaller simply signs off with cheapest bid.
(1D) – 1H – (P) – 3D; A jump cue in opponents suit promises 4
trump and is an invitational limit raise.
1C – (1H) –
2H; However, when responder cuebids overcaller’s suit,
the cuebid is one round forcing.
(1D) – 2C – (P) – 2H; Partner’s 2 level overcall shows opening
values so responder’s new bid is forcing one round. Most play
the advancer should have a decent 5+ card suit to bid a new suit
at the 2 level.
Okay, let’s go back to our side opening the bidding but now the
LHO overcalls. When an opponent overcalls below the agreed
penalty double threshold (many partners like 3 Spades), responder
may use a negative double in these situations. For instance,
responder may be unable to make a 2 level bid which promises a 5
card suit and 10+ points. Here are some situations where the
negative double allows responder to show values and no better
call. Points held by negative doubler generally fall within these
ranges:
1 level = 6+ points,
2 level = 7-8+ points,
3 level = good 8+ points.
Here are some examples.
1D – (1H) – X Forces opener to rebid, showing 4
Spades and 6+ points; bid 1 Spade directly when holding 5+
Spades. Both bids are forcing.
1C – (1D) – X Promising 4-4 in the majors, forcing.
1D – (1N) – X As we will see below, here responder’s
bid is a penalty double (not a negative double) showing 8+
points. Why is this double used to invoke a penalty? Well, if
opponents have a balanced hand without a fit, then it stands to
reason your side will not have fit either. If it helps you to
remember, this is called a “Balance
Of Power” double.
1D – (2C) – X Forcing negative double, generally with
7+ points and no apparent fit
1D – (2H) – X Forcing, generally with 8+ points when
opponent overcalls 2H or 2S. As the bidding level increases, the
partnership needs additional points. By the way, with lots of
cards in opponents’ preempt suit and little else, consider passing
and passing again after partner makes a reopening double. This
technique is called making a penalty pass – opener should rebid a
double with shortage in opponents’ bid suit.
1D – (3C) – X Still forcing, generally with a good 8+
points and no apparent fit.
1D – (3S) – X Opponent is too high to compete, double
is for penalty.
1D
– (4H) – 4N Traditional treatment of responder’s 4 Notrump here
might be Ace asking Blackwood, while advanced players like to play
4 Notrump here as “takeout.” As always, double-check with your
partner before making peculiar bids. No surprises please!
1H – (4S) – 4N However, when partner opens in a major
suit, responder’s 4 Notrump is still
Blackwood asking opener to show Aces. Again, these bids are
for advancing partnerships that probably play Duplicate Bridge
with a fair number of other conventions.
When opponents interfere with the bidding, partner is not required
to immediately respond to a forcing bid.
1C – (P) – 1H – (1S); Lacking a Heart fit with responder,
opener may temporarily pass.
P
1H – (P) – 1S – (1N); Opponent’s Notrump bid may be
artificial. Opponents may be playing
P the conventional “Sandwich
Notrump” treatment, overcalling 1 or 2 Notrump between the
opposition’ two suit bids. Playing the Sandwich Notrump
convention shows length in the remaining two suits. Of course,
this artificial bid is alertable and would be forcing unless the
opener made an intervening call.
1N – (X) – XX After opponent doubles partner for penalty, a
redouble is “SOS” forcing opener to bid 2C. Note: earlier we saw
responder’s redouble showed 10+ points. However when the
opponent’s double is for penalty it makes sense to change the
meaning the redouble to an escape bid. After opener puppets to 2
Clubs, responder may then pass or correct to a long weak suit and
opener must pass.
1D – (1H) – 2C – (2H); Responder shows 10+ points, so opener may
make a forcing pass in
P the freebid seat.
1D – (X) – 2C – (2H); Let’s begin by reviewing the first 3
bids. Opener shows 12+ points,
P doubler probably shows 12+
points and responder shows 10+ points. Thus, everyone should be
aware the poor advancer holds less than 6 High Card Points.
However, with a long suit and reasonable strength, responder may
make a competitive 2 level bid. At this point, opener’s pass
should be taken as forcing (the partnership has 22+ points and
should be able to hustle for a partscore or game.
2H – (P) – 2N – (3C); Responder asks opener for a feature.
P After interference and lacking
a feature, opener may pass.
1H – (P) – 3H – (3S); Pass is not signoff, opener must bid 5H or
double. This is known as a
4H – (4S) – P
forcing pass.
Finally, try to avoid really confusing bids:
1H
– 1N;
When in doubt, treat all strange bids as forcing. Responder
could have bid 1S
2D – 2S; earlier but instead made a signoff bid of 1
Notrump. So with less than three or less Spades and nine-plus
cards in the remaining suits, why is responder not supporting one
of opener’s suits?
1D – 1H; Invitational by Rubber Bridge players, forcing by
many Chicago/Duplicate players.
3D – 4D;
1S
– 2H;
Apparently forcing to 4N looking for slam. Some may play Gerber
convention.
3D – 3N;
1H –
3S/4C
Double jumps in a new suit are very unusual and game forcing,
usually conventional. Advanced players treat unnecessarily high
jumps as “splinter”
bids, showing a 4+ card fit in partner’s suit and a singleton or
void in the splinter suit. Unfortunately, all too many
partnerships have at some point gotten confused by splinter bids.
As the saying goes, you really haven’t lived until you or your
partner play in a 2-1 trump fit due to a terrible bidding
misunderstanding – certainly opponents happily pass out such a
mistaken auction!
1H –
4S Triple jumps to game are usually signoff “to play”,
not slam invitational.
When a
partner is in the passout seat, we should tolerate bids with fewer
points. In the balancing (aka passout) seat, our partner is
trying to compete in a partscore contract. One of three good
things may happen: the partnership may make the contract, the
opponents may continue bidding too high and get set, or we may go
down a modest amount – less than the score opponents would
otherwise enjoy.
A good rule
of thumb is that in the balancing seat, “borrow
a King” from your partner’s hand. Adding 3 points often will
help partner find a bid or make a reopening double in the passout
seat. Of course, the balancer’s partner must then remember to
subtract 3 points when making follow-up bids. Just
don’t punish your partner by continuing to bid after pard makes a
balancing seat bid! When you’ve already passed, your partner has
the final word.
(1C) – P –
(P) – 2C; When partner bids opponents minor suit in passout
seat, it is natural
(1H) – P –
(P) – 2H; However, when partner cuebids opponents known 5+
card major, it’s a conventional cuebid requiring partnership
agreement. One popular treatment is
Michaels Cuebid, showing 5+ Spades and an unspecified 5+ card
suit here.
(1H) – P –
(P) – 2N; 2 Notrump is not a cuebid in passout seat. In this
auction, 2 Notrump shows 19-21 points with stoppers in the
opponents’ suit and interest in game. |
