By Peter Rhead
More examples of your second bid after partner bids a new suit
Today we look at more examples of your possible second bid after partner responds with a new suit to your one-of-a-suit opening bid. Your second bid always depends on the strength and distribution of your opening hand. It is important that you use your second bid to limit your hand.
What would be your second bid with the following hands after your first bid is one-of-a-suit and partner responds with a new suit? Your opening shows an unlimited hand of 13-21 points.
Case 1:
Spades xx
Hearts Qxx
Diamonds AKQxx
Clubs Jxx
Case 1: You open One Diamond with your 13 points including one length point. Partner responds One Spade. His bid is unlimited and forcing. He guarantees 6 points but he could have 20 points. You must now limit your hand so that partner can become the captain and place the contract. The only option I envision to limit your hand is to bid Two Diamonds. I know you do not have six Diamonds but it is the best bid to show you have only 13 or 14 points! If you have to lie, lie in a minor suit.
Case 2:
Spades K
Hearts Qxx
Diamonds AQJx
Clubs AKxxx
Case 2: You open One Club your 20 point hand including one length point. Partner responds One Heart. With this bid, his hand is unlimited and forcing. His hand guarantees 6 points but could have 20 points. You must now limit your hand so that partner can become the captain and lead the partnership to the correct contract.
You now know your partnership has at least enough points for a likely 25 point game (20+6=26) and might have enough points for a slam try (20+13=33). Your hand is strong enough to jump-shift Three Diamonds. Partner now knows your hand is two-suited and game-going. He now will captain the partnership to the best contract.
Case 3:
Spades AQxxx
Hearts xx
Diamonds AKxx
Clubs Qx
Case 3: With 16 points including one length point, you open this hand One Spade. Partner responds Two Diamonds. His hand is unlimited. Partner guarantees 10 points but he may have 20 points. You must now limit your hand to show partner you have medium value hand of 15-18 points. Jump to Four Diamonds inviting game. This jump shows the medium value hand. (Three Diamonds would have shown the minimum 13-14 point hand). Partner now knows you have a two-suited hand and medium strength. He becomes the captain and leads the partnership to the best contract or PASS if he has a minimum hand and he plays Four Diamonds.
Next Week: We digress. What options have you when invited to go to game? What is a “good” hand for accepting the invitation and going to game?
Remember, as we all fight COVID-19 with social isolation, if you want your Bridge fix, online competition is available for all skill levels. From the ACBL Bridge website, you can hook up either to play live people or to play robots. Either way you test or consolidate various Bridge skills. At ACBL.org just click on “Play Bridge” and follow the prompts for various choices.
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.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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