One Dozen Bidding Problems from Reno

Today's panelists: Ed Davis, Steve Altus, Kent Hartman, Curt Hastings, Lynn Johannesen, Rolf Kühn.

Favorable, IMPs, short matches, you hold
A AQJx AKJ10x KQJ
You deal and the bidding begins

You Pard

2 2

3 4

4 4

?

2 was semiautomatic; 3 over 3 would have been a second negative.
Would you have bid this way? What now?

ED
It would not have occurred to me that there were alternatives to opening 2. I would bid 5 over 4 and pass if partner bid 5. [Partner bids 5. --J] ...6NT. Something like Kxx Kxx Qxx xxxx is what I expect.
KENT
5. Partner will either bid 5, which I'll pass, or something else, over which we'll play 6.
CURT
I don't think it's an option to open this hand 1, even though you aren't vulnerable, since you need to gain one slam swing for every 1.8 times you lose a white game swing by playing 1. Since partner might still have a stiff heart, I'll give him a chance by bidding 5 before I bid 6.
LYNN
Over 2, I would have bid 3 to show, in my methods, 4 hearts and longer diamonds. I'm not a big convention maven, but this is a truly useful agreement to have. (It wouldn't solve my problems on this hand, of course....) I also don't like 2 semi-automatic. Could partner have bid 2 positive, or 2nd negative? What would his bids mean over 3? What does 4 mean? In my methods, it's a suit.
[Good point. 3 would have been a double negative at pard's 2nd turn. I'm not a big fan of 2 semiauto, either, but some partners are more flexible than others. --J]
Assuming that partner's bidding is consistent with, say, Qxxx xxx xxx xxx, [I hope not. --J] I guess I'd bid 4NT now--defined as natural but, at IMPs, more forward-going than 5. If partner has what I need for a decent slam, he'll just have to bid it. It is really arrogant to drive to slam opposite a partner who has shown no values at any turn.
If 4 is defined a cue bid in support of or (an implausible agreement), I think I'd bid the same 4NT. If 4 is a meaningless noise, my best guess is 5.
ROLF
I don't like this bidding very much but I haven't got better ideas. I bid 5 and will pass 5.
CONSENSUS
5
JEFF AT THE TABLE
5
WINNING ACTION
Anything but a slow 5. Partner held Kxx Kxx Qxx xxxx. I thought that was an impossible hand, since with both majors stopped and no shape, partner'd bid 3NT instead of 4, or 4NT instead of 4. (It's not Blackwood by the responder to 2.) ...or even 4NT over 3. After a protracted huddle, I decided that partner had to be missing the K and the A and couldn't have a stiff heart (no 4 call on the previous round) so the most likely best contract was 5. If partner had a major source of spade tricks, he'll know it and be able to go on. Wrong. Partner felt barred by the huddle (even though he knows that I would seriously consider opening this hand 1) and passed. Oh, well.
Both vulnerable, IMPs, short matches, you hold
KQx Kxx QJx QJxx
a) Do you open?

ED
If I didn't have the J I would not have even opened this hand.
STEVE
I usually say that all bidding problems are a matter of opinion and style. But passing here would be just plain wrong. Your 14-ct devalues to 12 points (no aces, 4333) but it's got to be a good 12-ct, since it has 14 HCP! The big thing, though, is that everyone else would open this hand, and it's too big a disadvantage to pass a hand that everyone else opens, since opening is better than passing a priori. Finally, it's hard to bid later with this hand if you don't open, and pard will never play you for this much strength.
KENT
I open a 12-14 NT. Seems normal.
CURT
Yes, regardless of NT range in this spot.
LYNN
Sure. Sometimes we belong in 3NT, and we probably won't get there if partner has any number of 12 or 13 counts if I don't open.
JEFF
If I had a 10-12 NT, I'd open. Otherwise, I'd pass. I'd open at matchpoints, where to buck the field is too dangerous (unless you need to swing), but at teams, I'll back my judgment.
CONSENSUS
Open
JEFF AT THE TABLE
not there
WINNING ACTION
Hmmm...probably pass.

YOU LHO CHO RHO

1 1 2 Pass

?

b) what now?

ED
I would bid 2NT over 2 and strongly dislike raising to 3.
STEVE
Bid 2NT. I'm normally a fan of raising when we have a fit, but 3 is much more encouraging than 2NT, and my hand isn't very good at this point of the auction. I'll bid hearts at the minimum level at my next turn, though I might guess to pass 3NT instead of bidding 4 if pard raises. If he passes I'm happy.
KENT
3. My partners know when to bid 2N with this--I don't.
CURT
3. I want to slow this down. This hand will play poorly in NT if RHO has any ace. If we belong in 3NT, I'll probably get another shot to bid it. [I don't think so. Will partner bid 3 with Jx? --Jeff]
LYNN
Now I'll try 2NT. There will probably be time to support hearts later. This is my only chance to suggest wasted spade values and slow the auction down. [Yes, you can bid 2NT then show hearts, but not vice versa. --Jeff]
ROLF
3NT - the practical bid.
JEFF
2NT. I don't like failing to support partner, but 3 is too encouraging and partner is not going to bid 3 or 3NT after this start by me.
JEFF AT THE TABLE
not there
CONSENSUS
2NT barely.
WINNING ACTION
2NT. Partner has Jx AQ109x Kxx Kxx. Should I have bid 3? Sorry to say, it never occurred to me. 3NT is frigid. 4 goes down on a ruff.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
K&R = 11.25. That seems a tiny bit low, but I'll take it. I'd be more willing to open with a 4-card major than without.
Unfavorable, IMPs, short matches, you hold
Q42 A7 10542 Q652
Partner opens a 15-17 NT. What's your plan?

ED
Pass - 100,
invite via 2NT (if playing those methods) - 80,
invite via Stayman - 50 (I don't want the opps to find out about partner's distribution when I don't care about it).
If not vulnerable at IMPs, I only like pass.
STEVE
Pass smoothly. Would bid stayman with one or more 4-cd majors, but there's not the extra vig here and I'll give up on the perfect 3NT.
KENT
Pass repeatedly.
CURT
Pass. In a long match I'd invite a game only under these exact conditions (red, IMPs).
LYNN
If I can bid Puppet Stayman and then invite in spades, I'll do so. Otherwise, I am going to pass. Could be very wrong, of course, but I really don't like this hand for a tight 3NT contract, and partner will accept an invitation on almost any hand.
ROLF
2NT - or some other invitational bid w/o 4-card major. No exaggerated judgement - it's team and we are red
JEFF AT THE TABLE
Pass
CONSENSUS
Pass
WINNING ACTION
bid. 3NT is a bad contract, but makes. An unfortunate lead might make it a good contract.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
K&R = 7.15. Good judgment, all. Actually, I agree with Ed. If I had a natural 2NT available, I think I'd invite. If it weren't red at IMPs, it'd not be a problem.
Favorable, IMPs, long match, you hold
AK9xx Qxx x QJ9x

Pard You

1 1

2NT (17-18) ?

What's your plan?

ED
The way I play I can a) bid 3 (asking about opener's major suits) and then bid clubs or b) bid 3 forcing 3, then bid 4 showing a stiff with 4+ clubs and slam interest but denying major suit interest. I like the latter approach, at least at IMPs. I will be willing to play 4NT or 5 if partner bids it over 4. If partner bids 4 over 4, I will raise to 5 since I will have already denied 4 and am willing to play 6 (e.g., opposite xxx AKxx Axx AKx).
STEVE
3, forcing. Chance for a black-suit slam is very high.
KENT
Lemme guess--6 rolls, 3N goes down, and no other slam has a prayer. I'll check back for major suit holdings--my inclination is to park it in 4 if partner has 3 and to aim for a club slam if partner inferentially shows up with 4+ clubs. When pard has 4-ick.
CURT
I'll use my gameforcing checkbeck methods. If partner bids either major I'll try and get to 6 of that major. If he doesn't I'll invite slam in clubs, but I won't bid it myself.
LYNN
I will show support for partner's clubs (in my methods, by bidding 3) and await developments. If partner supports spades over my 3 bid, I'll splinter. If partner bids 3 I'll bid 3. Basically I plan to invite, but not drive to, slam unless partner supports spades or shows enthusiasm for a club slam
ROLF
I have been waiting for this hand for years, as we could bid this hand perfectly in our system (3 asking for 3-card-support, followed by 4 showing -fit with a singleton and slam interest).
JEFF AT THE TABLE
ask for major suit shape and invite slam.
CONSENSUS
invite slam, various approaches
WINNING ACTION
stop in game, or only invite in clubs. Partner held QJ10 A9xx AQx Axx and loves his hand for spades, but will slow down everything for clubs.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
in our methods, 3 puppets to 3, after which 3NT is a slam try in clubs. That's my choice. I'd love the 4 splinter if I had it. Time to talk with partners
No one vul, IMPs, long match, you hold
AJ10xxx Q 6xxx Jx

LHO CHO RHO YOU

1 1 Pass 1 (constructive but not 100% forcing)

Pass 3 Pass ?

ED
4. Kx AKJxxx xx KTx or xx AJTxxxxx x AQx in partner's hand are minimums where I want to be in game. I would pass if I instead had AJTxxx Q xxx xxx. [Ed keys on the value of the J! --Jeff]
STEVE
4. You've got what he needs, more than likely. It's IMPs, you can't bid like a child.
KENT
4. Down one is good bridge.
CURT
3. My hand will furnish many more tricks in spades. [Curt seems to think 3 is to play. I think it's forcing. --Jeff]
LYNN
What is my overcall style? Unless it is quite sound, I'd pass, but I'd take a shot vulnerable. Who knows?
ROLF
Pass. If this is enough, partner should have bid game.
JEFF AT THE TABLE
Pass
CONSENSUS
none
WINNING ACTION
4. Partner held x AKJ98xx Q10 KQ10.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
4 is the right call. Partner should have about 5 losers. I have two cover cards. Stiff Queen is fine support. Bid game.
Unfavorable, IMPs, long match, you hold
A10x Qxx Kxx Kxxx

LHO CHO RHO YOU

3 3 Pass ?

ED
4. 4 will make more often than 3NT.
STEVE
4. 3NT could be right, but I think you have a better chance of making 4. Maybe I'll run a simulation later if I have time...
KENT
3NT
CURT
3NT. Tough problem.
LYNN
Tough. I can construct hands on which either 4 or 3NT is your only makeable game. This time, I'll guess 4.
ROLF
3.5 -- I hate these hands. I bid 4: with many kings I want to be in a trump contract.
JEFF
3NT. I think. Or maybe 4
CONSENSUS
none
WINNING ACTION
4 or pass. Partner held QJxxxx K10xx A10x ---. Hamman held this hand and bid 3NT slowly. His partner passed. (Would you pull Bob Hamman out of 3NT? I wouldn't.) Down five. 4 has play. It might make or might go down 1.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
I have lots of sympathy for Hamman.
Both vul, IMPs, long match, you hold
x KJ KJxx QJxxxx
Partner opens 1. What's your plan?

ED
2 playing inverted, 1 if playing limit raises (just a bit heavy for a 3 limit raise). If I were playing 3 to show support and a stiff spade, I wouldn't use it since my tricks are too slow.
STEVE
"Force" in clubs, though if pard signs off twice I'll subside in 4 by passing 4 or bidding 4 NF. Depends on our methods...
KENT
Playing inverted minors, 2 followed by 3 or the equivalent.
CURT
I'll mastermind with 1 for now to see what his rebid is, since I don't want to preempt partner. I'll invite 3NT if he bids 1 or 1NT by bidding 3. [Curt bids 3 over 1, not forcing. --Jeff]
LYNN
3, splinter. If we play strong NT, it could be right to pass 4 if partner bids it, but I play that forcing. [I play it's key card. --Jeff]
ROLF
No reason to psych. I bid 2 if this is inverted. I bid 1 if it is not.
JEFF
2, then 3 over 2
CONSENSUS
none
WINNING ACTION
splinter, but hard to say. Partner held QJ10 Axxx Ax AKxx. After 1-1; 1, you are going nowhere. After 1-2; partner should probably bid 3NT, 18-19. After this, I think 4 is key card in clubs, and you can reach the easy slam. Partner didn't bid 3NT and we got lost. At the other table, they started with 1 and got lost.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
force in clubs. Start with 2, then over 2, rebid 3 if that happens to be an option. I won't splinter directly with zero key cards.
No one vul, IMPs, long match, you hold
x xxx 10xxx KJxxx

CHO RHO YOU LHO

1 2 Pass Pass

3 Pass ?

ED
4. Sounds like partner has 7-1 distribution in the pointed suits. I am guessing my clubs are enough to make 4.
STEVE
Pass. WTP?
KENT
Pass
CURT
Pass.
LYNN
Is this a joke? Is there some reason not to pass? If partner can make a game opposite on side-suit king and no fit, he is supposed to open 2 or reopen with a cue bid.
ROLF
Pass. As this is a problem, game must be cold. Anyway partner needs a semiforcing to make game. Bidding on is insane.
JEFF AT THE TABLE
Pass
CONSENSUS
Pass
WINNING ACTION
4. Partner had KQJ10xxx Ax --- Axxx (I thought he had the K, but it was the Ace---we made six.)
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
I think it's closer than the panel thinks. We have a clearly working card, but the rest of the hand is junk. Partner didn't bid 3, so I think pass is marginally better than bidding. Should partner have a 4-loser hand for this? I don't think so, so I'll pass.
Favorable, Matchpoints, you hold
J8765 9 J64 AKQ3

You Partner

1 1NT (semi-forcing)

?

ED
2. 1NT doesn't look right. If I were to pass with this distribution and HCP, I would have running spades, e.g., AKQJx x Jxx xxxx.
STEVE
2. If you're going to open this pile of trash, (which is my style in majors) you really want to show your suits. Big danger is that 2NT is forthcoming; 3 on the 3-cd limit raise should be able to compete with 1NT as the best contract. If pard bids hearts, that is likely a better spot than 1NT.
KENT
Pass
CURT
2. My first instinct was to pass, but this hand might play well in a suit. It won't play well in NT. Still cannot say whose hand this is, so I will make a normal action.
LYNN
I know this hand, but I'd still bid 2. I had a harder problem; our action went 1-1NT (overcall, on the 14 HCP), X, P, ??. I bid 2. What do you think? [I think I'd pass. --Jeff]
ROLF
Did I really open? Well 2 - waiting for partner's 2 bid.
JEFF AT THE TABLE
Pass
CONSENSUS
2
WINNING ACTION
Pass. LHO balanced with a double. Partner beavered. I sat for 2x +500. Lead high club, continue trumps, look at dummy. Be pleased
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
folks don't think much of passing, but I think it has a lot of ways to win. It's the sort of action I want to take when I need a 70% game at matchpoints. I'd much more want to bid 2 if I were playing the 2 gadget. Without it, I might be guessing in the majors and I don't like that at all.
Favorable, Matchpoints, you hold
1095432 A43 Q AJ6

You Partner

Pass 1

1 2NT (18-19)

?

ED
3 (asking about majors). If partner has three spades, I make a slam try; otherwise, 3NT.
STEVE
3, forcing. Over 3NT, 4 to play; over 4, you're probably worth 5 or some other try.
KENT
Typo?
CURT
checkback and then invite a slam if partner has 3 spades. Otherwise play 4. 3NT not considered.
LYNN
Kit Woolsey bid 3NT at this point, and I see no reason to disagree. It actually seems pretty clear to me.
ROLF
3. I need to know if partner holds 3-card support.
JEFF AT THE TABLE
3NT.
CONSENSUS
look for the 6-3 fit.
WINNING ACTION
3NT. Partner has AKQ KQJ Kxxxx xx and both clubs were on, but diamonds were 5-2.
JEFF UPON REFLECTION
3NT. It's folly at IMPs, but at matchpoints, 3NT is awfully tough to defend perfectly.
Unfavorable, Matchpoints, you hold
97653 Q82 AJ9 A4
Partner opens a 15-17 1NT. What's your plan?

ED
3NT is fine. 2 intending to play 4 if opener has four of them is okay but, even then, I think 3NT might make as many.
STEVE
Transfer and bid 3NT. In my younger days I'd bid stayman and bid 3NT unless pd bid 2, but as I've aged I've started just describing my hand, taking the normal auction, and not trying to mastermind every hand. Sometimes I'll get to a bad 4 with too many trump losers, but especially with bad spades 3NT might be very bad when 4 is cold. Let pard decide based on her/his hand.
KENT
Transfer and bid 3NT.
CURT
I'll start with Stayman. If I have methods I'll consider the 4-3 fit, else just 3NT. Spades out unless partner bids them right away.
LYNN
I'll bid Stayman, then bid 3NT unless partner shows four spades. I can see a case for raising directly to 3NT, as well.
ROLF
I bid Stayman. If partner doesn't show 4, I will play 3NT.
JEFF AT THE TABLE
stayman, then 3NT. I think it's close between that and a direct 3NT. Transferring can win, but I prefer partner to be able to use his judgment when he has enough information to make a good choice.
CONSENSUS
Stayman
WINNING ACTION
anything
No one vulnerable, IMPs, long match, you hold
QJx AKJ KQJ10 A9x
Partner deals and opens 1NT (10-12). What's your plan?
STEVE
4NT, like a farmer (my wife is watching Green Acres on TV Land).
CURT
Use relays. If partner has a 5 card major or is 4-4 with 4 diamonds I'll play a slam (6NT or 6). Else, we are done.
LYNN
If it is one of my options, I would issue a balanced hand slam try while showing a 4-card diamond suit. (I can do that in my own methods.) If I can't, I'll find out what I can and then invite slam. You can make a case for bidding Gerber and driving to slam if partner has an ace, but I would only do that if I thought I was a substantial underdog in the match or I thought my partner was a timid bidder.
ROLF
My plan is to bid 4NT.
ED
Let's look at three different approaches.
a) Invite in NT Partner will accept with xx Qxxx Axx KJTx or xxxx Qxx Axx KQJ when you wouldn't want to be there even if you had a fifth diamond and one less club. Clearly, this is not right. In fact, it is becoming clear that partner needs a specific maximum for a good slam
b) Find out partner's distribution and then ask for high cards via 4 The decisions would be:
1. less than AKK - stop in 4NT
2. AKK but no Q - stop in 5NT. This would be a favorite opposite AKxx xxxx xx KJT but hopeless opposite AKx xxx xxxx Kxxx.
3. AKKQ - bid 6NT. Now we're cookin', aren't we? AKx Qxx xxx Kxxx... egads, still no play. How about AKxx Qxx xxxx Kxx or AKx Qxxx xxx Kxx? Ok, laydown. Awwwwright.
c) Ask for distribution If partner does not have a four-card major, bid 3NT. Otherwise, try to keycard in hearts. If no Q or less than two keycards... hmmm, I don't think this is going to be productive. How about if partner has a five-card major? Suppose partner has a five-card heart suit? Kxx Qxxxx Ax Qxx is good enough for slam... after keycard in hearts and a 4 response, 4 will get a 4NT response with the K. That seems okay. How about a five-card spade suit? Keycard in spades and signoff if one KC and bid 6NT if three KC. If two keycards bid 5 and bid 6NT if partner has the K and 5NT if partner does not have the K.
Summing up, slam is very unlikely unless partner has a five-card major with appropriate side cards or a four-card major with exactly-placed cards. Thus, use the "ask for distribution" approach and proceed accordingly.
BTW, is bridge still a timed event?
JEFF AT THE TABLE
not there
CONSENSUS
ask for shape
WINNING ACTION
ask for shape and stop. Partner has K109 Qxx Ax Kxxxx, and despite the 33 HCP, slam has no play. My partner asked for shape and stopped in 3NT. We were very disappointed to hear that the other table's auction was 1-1; 1NT-4NT(???!). We were playing this match against Hamman and this hand was a push. After the comparison, we walked by Hamman's table and heard him mutter, "33 HCP and no one bids slam. This game is getting too tough."
One thing I think Ed missed is the possibility of playing 6, even on a 4-3 fit (say if partner is 4-4-3-2).

Jeff Goldsmith, jeff@tintin.jpl.nasa.gov, Jan. 7, 1997

LHO	CHO	RHO	YOU
1	1	Pass	1 (constructive but not 100% forcing)
Pass	3	Pass	?

You	Pard
2	2
3	4
4	4
?

Pard	You
1	1
2NT (17-18) ?

You	Partner
1	1NT (semi-forcing)
?

You	Partner
Pass	1
1	2NT (18-19)
?