By Val Rhead
Recently, my favourite partner and I had one of our rare bidding disagreements (Oh, Oh, my nose just grew longer.) By the way, my favorite partner is my husband and he tells me he doesn`t mind being outed if it only happens occasionally. We both know that limiting your hand is an excellent way to help you bid more accurately. It helps you bid a large percentage of contracts that are makeable, and stops you from bidding contracts that are destined to fail, particularly when working with minimum opening hands.
In the hand in question, I opened the bidding with a bid of One Heart. Partner replied One Spade. I bid Two Spades. This bidding sequence told my partner that I had a minimum opening hand of 12 to 14 points, at least a five-card Heart suit and at least a four-card Spade suit. Partner was now the CAPTAIN because I have limited my hand. He knew what was in his hand and he also knew, within 3 to 4 points, what was in mine.
He now had a number of choices. One of them was not, except in rare instances, to bid Two No Trump. Please note partner! If he had 10 points or less, he should PASS – we have no hope for game. If he had 11 to 12 points, he could INVITE me to game by bidding either 3 Spades or 3 Hearts. If I was at the top of my range (14 points), I would bid 4 Spades or 4 Hearts. If I was at the bottom of my range (12 points), I would PASS. If partner had an opening hand, 13 points or more, he would bid game himself. Of course, if he had a very strong hand, he would consider trying for a slam.
Some players may think that memorizing a few limiting point-counts takes away some of the fun of the game. But, is it fun to bid haphazardly and have the frustration of going down? Making a game that you did not bid, and getting a poor score is even worse. Both you and your partner should make a practice of limiting your hand and the accuracy of your bidding will improve.
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 include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games at the Huntsville Club for the winter Jan-Feb-Mar are now Tuesday 1pm, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For partners and information call Susan Marshall 705 787-5454 or email [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: For the rest of the winter, the Tuesday afternoon 1pm game will be held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, you also may enter from the door on Main Street.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jan 24 with 12 pairs playing a Howell movement. 1. Mary Hogarth and Albert Eatock; 2. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 3. Bev Parlett and Barb Forth; 4. Liz Graham and Yvonne Cox; 5. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 6. Beryl Clayson and Paul Clayson
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time.
The following winners are from Monday, Jan 23 with 14 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Bev Parlett and Vern Foell; 2. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 3. Carol Anne Robinson and Nancy Barber; 4. Gerry Flaherty and Ralph Hair; East-West 1. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 2. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 3. Kathy Kent and David Kent; 4. Joanne Garvey and Don Evans
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