By Valerie Rhead<\/p>\n
OPENING THE MINORS WITH SHORT SUITS <\/strong><\/p>\n Most people in North America play five-card majors. This is fine when you have five or more hearts or spades and opening points. But, if you have opening points and no five\u2011card major, and it\u2019s not a No\u2011Trump hand, you will open a minor. Some partnership agreement is necessary.<\/p>\n One option is the \u201cBetter\u2011Minor.\u201d If a hand 4\u20114\u20113\u20112 represents 4 spades, 4 hearts, 3 diamonds, and 2 clubs, the \u201cBetter\u2011Minor\u201d opening of one diamond may be bid with less than four diamonds.<\/p>\n A second option is the \u201cShort Club\u201d convention. The 4\u20114\u20113\u20112 or similar hand would be opened one club with partner announcing \u201cmay be as short as two.\u201d Under this convention, an opening of one diamond would guarantee at least four diamonds. Sometimes this is nice to know. Therefore, this \u201cShort Club\u201d opener implies no five-card major and possibly only two clubs! Of course, you also could have something like opening points and a solid six-card club suit with the same bid!<\/p>\n With the 4-4-3-2 or similar distribution, if you open one club and your partner responds one diamond, to show a minimum hand (12-14 points) you may now rebid partner\u2019s diamonds or bid a four\u2011card major at the one level. If you have no four-card major nor diamond support, you may also show the minimum hand by bidding one No\u2011Trump unless the opponents bid \u2013 then just \u201cPass\u201d to show your minimum hand. Your pass has limited your hand, showing your partner that you have a minimum opening hand and nothing more to say. Partner still has another chance to bid.<\/p>\n With a medium hand (15-17) and 4-4-3-2 or similar distribution you may now keep the bidding open by jumping in partner\u2019s suit or by jump-bidding to two No\u2011Trump inviting game. You also may bid a four-card major at the two level as your second suit. You may bid a second suit at the two level only with a medium hand or better.<\/p>\n With a maximum hand (18-21), jump-bid three No\u2011Trump or game in partner\u2019s suit. You may also do a forcing strong jump-shift in a new suit. With interference from your opponent, you have to take into account the opponent\u2019s suit and plan accordingly. With a good stopper in opponent\u2019s suit, and maximum in your hand, you may jump to three No\u2011Trump ending up in game or invite to game by jumping in partner\u2019s suit at the three level.<\/p>\n If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group, send the information to vrhead@sympatico.ca<\/a> and I will include it in this column.<\/p>\n HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB<\/strong><\/p>\n Games for the Huntsville Club are now Tuesday afternoon 1PM for the winter Jan\u2011Feb\u2011Mar, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. Call Betty 705-789-2560 bennettb@vianet.ca<\/a> or Susan at 705-789-7156 jasu.marshall@gmail.com<\/a> for information and partnerships. For the winter, the game now is held downstairs in the warm basement. To avoid the long stairs, enter from the door on Main Street.<\/p>\n The following results are for Tuesday, Feb 16 with 7 tables playing a Howell movement. 1. Betty Fagin and Rod Dixon; 2. Virginia Warren and Angus Warren; 3. Chris Karn and Vern Foell; 4\/5. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; 4\/5. Jim Smith and Ralph Mitchell; 6. Liz Graham and Sandy Graham; 7. Susan Marshall and Betty Bennett<\/p>\n MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)<\/strong><\/p>\n Games at the Bracebridge Club are at the Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road 7pm Monday evenings. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time.<\/p>\n The following results are for Monday, Feb 15 with 7 tables playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Pamela Jardine and Ralph Mitchell; 2. Val Rhead and Peter Rhead; 3. Ralph Hair and Gerrry Flaherty; 4. Bev Parlett and Vern Foel; East-West 1. Virginia Warren and Angus Warren; 2. Ruth Thompson and Don Evans; 3. Lorna Wagner and David Bryce; 4. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith<\/p>\n Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our twice-weekly email digest and get some of our top stories delivered right to your inbox.<\/strong><\/p>\n *<\/span> indicates required<\/p>\n
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