By Val Rhead
Recently, this column discussed how to open hands that had a minimum opening count (12 to 14 points) and that did not have a five-card major. Usually, in this case, the best opening bid is either One Club or One Diamond. This bid is called the Better Minor. Today, we’re talking about what to do next, after the partner replies.
In some cases, the opener simply passes. Often she would do this when her partner has replied with a minimum response. If the partner answers One No-Trump, the opener would know that her partner has only six to nine points, little support for opener’s suit and no four-card major. Partner is not required to have stoppers for every suit, but he should have stoppers for any suit bid by the opposition.
Again, with six to nine points, if the partner makes a simple raise of the opener’s suit, the opener would expect her partner to have at least three cards in the opener’s major suit and four cards in her minor suit. The opener would know that a game wasn’t available, so a pass would be a logical bid.
If the responder has an unpassed hand and bids a new suit, that bid is forcing, so the opener must reply. The reason is that the responder hasn’t limited his hand. He may have six points or he may have twenty. In the latter case, the partnership would likely miss a game or slam if the opener passed.
If opener’s right hand opponent sticks a bid into the auction, the situation is different. The opener no longer is forced to reply to responder, if it’s awkward for her to do so or she has a minimum opening hand. With an intervening bid by the enemy, the responder will be able to bid again if his hand is a rock crusher. Whether or not he sees the possibility of a game, he may envisage a successful part-score contract. If the opener’s side is not vulnerable and the opponents’ side is vulnerable, he may see the possibility of a successful sacrifice.
I often see an unhappy responder squirming in his seat trying to disguise his frustration at having his 20-point game-going, possibly slam-going, hand passed out at One Spade by opener. “Sorry partner, the opener explains plaintively. I simply didn’t have anything else to bid.”
Please, remember this rule! ANY BID OF A NEW SUIT BY AN UNPASSED RESPONDER IS FORCING for one round!
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to vrhead23@gmail.com 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 at 1 p.m. 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].
Monday, May 20, 2019 results: 1. Irene Bond & Dorothy Beckman 3,730 points; 2. Mary Jane Rogers & Mavis Hall; 3,310 points; 3. Andree Baillargeon & Scott Staples; 3,240 points
NOTE: Beginning on June 10th we switch to evening sessions, starting at 7 PM.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
Games are Tuesday a 7 p.m. at 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 at (705) 789-7187 or email at [email protected].
The following winners are for Tuesday, May 21, 2019 with 14 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 2. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 3. Jinty Stewart and Jim Smith; 4. Mary Norman and Don Norman; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 2/3. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell; 2/3. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 4. Kelly Andresen and Kel Andresen
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays at 7 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive with your partner 10 minutes before game time.
The following winners are from Monday, May 20, 2019 with 18 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Frank Vagnoni and Gerry Lawrence; 2. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 3. Jane Insley and Mary Martyn; 4. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 5. Mary Mitchell and Susan Maddocks; East-West 1. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 2. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 3. Lyn Walisser and Bev Howard; 4. Art Insley and Don Evans; 5. Pat Paterson and Tony Liming
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