By Val Rhead
What is a Weak-Two Bid? Primarily, it is WEAK. Including distribution points, the hand must contain no more than 12 points. It should contain a good suit that is six cards long with at least two of the top three honours or three of the top five honours. An exception might be a good five-card suit in third position.
Why are these restrictions important? Just imagine that your partner is sitting there waiting his turn to open his very nice Heart hand, when your opponent makes a weak bid of Two Spades. It becomes very difficult for your partner to show his Heart suit at the three-level when he can’t have any idea what cards his partner is holding. Sadly, he passes.
The play commences. Your opponent leads his Ace of Spades. Soon, he plays another Ace. A little time later, he plays a third Ace. Your partner’s hand flies into the air. “Director please, Director.” Many new players think of Bridge Directors as something akin to the school principal at a tough school. However, Directors are usually kindly souls, wanting only to keep the game fair for all the players. Your opponent has, probably inadvertently, made a Weak-Two bid with too many points. This is illegal. Because of this illegal bid, your partner has been prevented from showing his Heart suit.
Now, the opponent wasn’t intentionally cheating. He was a newer player. He considered that his hand was weak. After all, his six Spades were just 10 high. He should have had at least two of the top three cards or three of the top five cards to bid this. Also, his hand held three Aces. Now Aces actually are worth slightly more than four points each because, when the statisticians calculate the point value of different honour cards, it usually doesn’t work out to round numbers. Aces are worth slightly more than four points each. Also, our opponent’s six Spades would give him two length points. He has a total point count of at least 14 points. Too much to open a weak Two Spades!
Your opponent was free to bid his hand, but he should have opened at the One-Spade Level. This would have given your partner a chance to get into the bidding with his good Heart suit and maybe find a part-score or a game. Your opponents cannot obstruct your side with an unfair bid that does not follow established guidelines.
I know, I know. It’s strange to be penalized for making a bid with too many points. Usually, you’re chastised when you make a bid with too few points. However, no one ever said that Bridge wasn’t a game of rules. It’s part of what makes the game so fascinating, and at other times, so darned frustrating.
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.
NEW SOCIAL BRIDGE GAME IN HUNTSVILLE
Games are at the Active Living Centre on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room on the second floor (elevator) at the back entrance of the Canada Summit Centre. Just come – with or without a partner. For information, please contact Donna or Peter Tikuisis at 647 471 1774 or [email protected].
For now, this game will be played following Chicago Rules (allowing both fast and slow games). You will keep your same partner for the entire evening. Cost is $1.50 per person. Parking is outside the North Entrance opposite Heritage Village Railway Station.
PORT CARLING SOCIAL BRIDGE CLUB
Games for the Port Carling Social Bridge Club are Monday afternoon 1pm at the Port Carling Community Centre, 3 Bailey Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time.
For information, contact Andree or Scott 705-764-3827 [email protected]
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games are now EVENING PLAY until January, Tuesday 7pm Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive with your partner at least 10 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Liz Graham (705) 789-7187 or email at [email protected]
The following winners are for Tuesday, Apr 30 2019 with 8 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 2. Susan Marshall and Jan Roberts; 3. Mary Norman and Don Norman; 4. Jinty Stewart and Jim Smith
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive with your partner 10 minutes before game time.
The following winners are from Monday, Apr 29, 2019 with 12 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Lynda Mochrie and Wayne Mochrie; 2. Lyn Walisser and Bev Howard; 3. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 4. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 5. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 6. Art Insley and Don Evans
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