By Val Rhead
I hate playing in No Trump,” Holly exclaimed in our discussion after the game.
“Why not,” I asked.
“Because I am afraid of No Trump. It’s just too hard keeping track of the cards in all four suits!” Unfortunately, there are quite a few Bridge players who feel this way.
There are many excuses made by players as to why they do not want to bid No Trump. Some players refuse to bid No Trump if they have an unprotected suit. Sure it’s great to have a big Ace or King at the top of all four suits in your hand. However, you do have a partner, and in most cases, your partner has a stopper where you don’t. Also, it often happens when you are in One or Two No Trump, or even in Three No Trump, that your missing suit will be split favourably and you can still make your contract. No guarantees, of course. But in Bridge, there are no guarantees. You play the odds and pick the route that has the best chance of success.
There has long been a guideline that you shouldn’t bid No Trump with two doubletons, unless you have a stopper in at least one of the doubletons. This guideline, however, was considered too risky by some players. Guidelines are continually evolving in the game of Bridge. Now it is recommended that you may open One No Trump with a singleton Ace, King or Queen as long as you don’t also have a doubleton in another suit. If you have a hand with such uneven distribution, you may decide only to stretch to a No Trump bid when most of your values are in the minors. You may have a six-three fit in Clubs for example, but it may give you a better score to play the hand in Three No Trump rather than in Five Clubs.
For a long time, players have debated whether to open a 15 to 17 point hand that has a five-card major suit, in No trump or in the five-card major. Most players now prefer opening No Trump because it more accurately shows the power of their hand, and bidding the major later if necessary.
The problem of opening the five-card major first is that you can’t make an accurate rebid to show the strength of your hand. If after opening One Heart, your partner bids One Spade. Your rebid of One No Trump would show a weaker hand of 12 to 14 points. If you rebid Two No Trump, you are showing a stronger hand of 18 or 19 points. So, it is better to open the 15 to 17 point hand with a five-card major as One No Trump and then bid the five-card major later if you have the opportunity.
In spite of these possible problems and in spite of the perceived difficulty in playing in a contract where you do have to keep track of the cards in all four suits instead of concentrating on just one or two important suits, No Trump is still a very useful contract to bid. Just because you opened One or Two No Trump, it doesn’t mean your ultimate contract will be in No Trump.
The Stayman and Transfer conventions have been described in previous columns. More can be learned about them from ACBL.org when you click on “search” for “Transfer Bid” and “Stayman Bid.” These conventions allow you to find eight-card fits in Spades and Hearts which are usually the strongest and safest contracts available. The exceptions are hands that are evenly distributed without ruffing values. Such hands usually make the same number of tricks whether played in a trump suit or in No Trump. As you only need to make nine tricks in a No Trump contract to make a game, versus the ten tricks required to make game in Hearts or Spades, it is usually advantageous to play the more balanced hands in No Trump.
So, get used to opening One No Trump more often.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will try to include it in this column.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – BRIDGE LESSONS – SAVE THE DATES STARTING APRIL 9
Tips on Bidding and Playing To Bring Success At The Table
These lessons by Marilyn Kalbfleisch of Orillia will be for all interested players who have some knowledge of the game. Both men and women are welcome, so bring your Bridge playing spouse as well as all your Bridge partners. No partner is required for the lessons; singles will be accommodated.
Lessons will start on Monday, April 9 and will run Mondays for 6 weeks. They will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Royal Canadian Legion 168 Muskoka Rd, in Bracebridge (Just South of the OPP Station, off Cedar Lane). The price is $75 for all six weeks, or $15 for single lessons by cash or cheque (payable to “Nancy Barber” at the first lesson). Contact Nancy Barber – [email protected] or at 705 375 3620. Attendance must be confirmed in advance of the first lesson.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club are Tuesday 1pm start for the Winter Season, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street in the Hearth Room. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Liz Graham (705) 789-7187.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Mar 13 with 8 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 2. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3. Betty Fagin and Liz Graham; 4. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Mar 12 with 9 pairs playing a Howell movement. A special congratulations to Liz Barnes and David Bryce for their great 72% game. 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Val Rhead and Joanne Garvey; 3. Betty Fagin and Kelly Andresen; 4. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 5. Carol Anne Robinson and Nancy Barber
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