BASIC BIDDING SEQUENCES

By Larry Matheny

 

In this session we are going to look at some bidding sequences that may give partnerships trouble.  Some sequences will seem obvious but they may have different meanings depending upon your partnerships’ preference so I recommend you and your partners use this as a tool to firm up your agreements. 

 

 

#1.  IS THAT FORCING?

 

a.

YOU   PARD

1C       1S

1NT    2H?

 

Can opener pass this bid? 

 

Answer:  Yes.  2H is NOT forcing.  You must have a way to show a hand such as:  SK6432   HK9843   D32   C4. 

 

Rule:  A new suit by an unpassed responder is forcing UNLESS opener has limited his hand with a 1NT rebid. 

 

Since two-level bids are non-forcing and jumps to the three-level are forcing, most partnerships have trouble with hands of invitational (10-12) strength.  I strongly recommend you investigate conventions such as New Minor Forcing or 2C Checkback to solve this problem.

 

 

b.

RHO   YOU    LHO    PARD

 

 1H      DBL     P        2S

  P          ?

 

You hold: SAQ32   H9   DA985   CJ1092

 

Do you raise partner?

 

Answer:  No.  The jump to 2S is non-forcing showing approximately 9-11 points. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the responses to a one-level takeout double:

 

RESPONSES:

Non-jump in new suit 0-8 points, usually a four-card or longer suit

Jump in new suit                    9-11 points, not forcing, a four-card or longer suit.

Cue-bid of opp. suit              12+ points, forcing.

1NT                                         7-10 points, balanced, stopper in opponent’s suit.

2NT                                         11-13 points, inv., good stoppers in opponent’s suit.

Pass                                       Great holding in opponent’s suit; directs partner to

lead a trump.

 

c.

YOU   PARD

1C       1S

3C       3S?

 

Answer:  Yes.  Most play that any bid over 3C is forcing but have you discussed this with your partner?

 

d.

PARD  YOU  

 1C        1S

2NT      3S ?

 

Answer:  Yes.  Without a convention to handle a weak hand in this sequence, most play that any bid over 2NT is forcing.  You might want to use New Minor Forcing or Wolff Signoff here.

 

e.

OPP   YOU   OPP    PARD

 1D      1S       P        2C

  P        ??

 

Answer:  No, well maybe.  Actually there are three ways to treat a new suit by Advancer (Overcaller’s partner).  Forcing is probably the least popular choice but you and your partner must decide which method to employ.  Here they are:

 

1.      Non-forcing 

2.      Non-forcing, constructive

3.      Forcing

 

Responding to partner’s overcall is probably one of the least discussed segments of bidding.  There is a lesson available on our homepage and I highly recommend you review this topic.

 

 

2.  HOW GOOD IS MY HAND?

 

a.

YOU   LHO   PARD   RHO

 1C      1H      1S         P

 2S      3D       P          P

 ??

 

SA83   HKJ42   DQJ   CK1093

 

Well, you started with a 14 HCP but what does it look like now?  Your LHO has bid both of the red suits and that strongly suggests your hand is now probably worth a lot less.  Just imagine your LHO with the AQ of hearts and the AK of diamonds.  Remember to re-evaluate your hand after every bid and discount queens and jacks in the opponents’ bid suits.

 

 

b.

PARD   RHO   YOU   LHO

  1S       2C       ??

 

SK1092   HA2   DKJ98   CAQ3

 

This very good hand just became great.  It is very likely your RHO has the club king and any finesse available to your partner will probably work.  Insist upon game and suggest slam.

 

 

c.

SA109   HK10   DAQJ102  C1092

 

Don’t be a slave to the point count system; it just gives you an estimate of the strength of your hand.  This 14 HCP hand with a good five-card suit and four tens is worth 15.  Open 1NT! 

 

Isn’t it better than:  SK43   HQJ   DK9854  CKQJ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

d.

PARD   RHO   YOU   LHO       nvul vs. vul

  P         1S        P      2C

DBL        P         ?

 

S82   HA872  DJ109652  C9

 

Answer: Bid 5D!  Your five-point hand just became priceless.  Make them guess at the five-level.  Think about partner’s hand: he has hearts and diamonds.  You should be down no more than two and they may not be able to make five.  Listen to the auction! 

 

 

#3.  WHAT DOES THIS BID MEAN?

 

a.

PARD   YOU       OR            YOU   PARD        OR           YOU   PARD

 1NT      4NT?                       1NT      2H (transfer)           1NT      2C

                                                2 S       4NT?                        2S        4NT?

 

Is it invitational or Blackwood?  Have you discussed any of these auctions with your partner(s)?

 

Answer:  Most play each of these as natural and invitational.  The natural bid of 4NT is a valuable tool when used to invite slam.  4NT is Blackwood only after a suit has been agreed upon.  Partnerships may choose to use 4NT as Blackwood with the last suit bid as the agreed trump suit, but this can be dangerous.  Also, Gerber (4C) can be employed to ask for aces after a notrump bid. 

 

 

b.

RHO   YOU    LHO    PARD

 1H      1S       P        2H?

 

Answer:  Partner wants to know how good your overcall is.  With a minimum hand rebid 2S but with extras make a descriptive bid.  This allows you to remain at the two-level when your overcall is light.  You might get too high if partner has to jump to the three-level to ask.  Also remember that a new suit by Advancer (overcaller’s partner) is usually played non-forcing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.

RHO   YOU   LHO   PARD 

1C         DBL     P      1S

 P         1NT?

 

Answer:  A balanced hand with 18-19 points and a club stopper.  With 12-14, you would pass 1S and with15-17 you would overcall 1NT. 

 

 

 

I hope during this session you recognized the importance of partnership agreements.  There are a lot of bidding sequences that are considered “standard”, but many are not.  When you have a misunderstanding (and we all do), make a note on your card for future discussion.  Do not let it upset your game or become an issue with your partner.  Most bidding errors are caused by a failure to discuss. 

 

We also looked at hands that change in value during the auction.  It’s important to listen to the opponents’ bids as well as your partner’s.  So often I see players who can’t wait to make their bid even before their right hand opponent has called.

Stop, listen, and then decide!