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Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Tuesday
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Basic
strategy
0000). How to use 0001). Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25" 0002). 28 for minor 0003). 33 for NT slam 0004). Suit slam 0005). Importance of length 0006). Convention card 0007). ACOL and American Standard, differences 0008). A-Z Glossary 0690). A-Z Glossary
Hand
evaluation
0010). Balanced-Unbalanced 0011). How strong is your hand, HCP 0012). Distribution points 0013). Losing trick count 0014). Barrier-Reversing 0015). Selection of opening suit 0016). Showing shape 0017). 4441 distribution 0018). The skip over principle 0019). Rule of 20 Opening 1 of a suit 0019a). Rule of 25 Opening 2 of a suit 0019b). Rule of 500 Max penalty risk on preempt if doubled 0019c). Law of total tricks 0019d). Rule of Protective bidding
Opening
bids
0020). Plan of attack 0021). Bal, 12 to 19 HCPs, weak NT 0022). Bal, 20+ points 0023). Bal, 15 to 17 HCPs, strong NT 0025). Unbal, 12 to 19 HCPs, 1 suit 0026). Unbal, Strong 2s 0027). Unbal, Pre-emptive 0028). Unbal, Gambling 3NT 0029). Benji Strong 2s
Responder
1st bids
0030). After 1NT, General principles 0031). After 1NT, Weak 0032). After 1NT, Getting out of trouble 0033). After 1NT, 11+ balanced 0034). After 1NT, 11+ 4-card major 0035). After 1NT, 11+ unbalanced 0036). After 1NT, 19+ 0037). After 2NT 0038). After 1NT, and Enemy has interfered 0039). 1 NT responses 0040). After 1 Suit, With fit 0041). After 1 Suit, No fit, but alternative suit 0042). After 1 Suit, No fit, no new suit, probably balanced 0043). After 1 Suit, 6 points, nothing to bid 0044). After 1 Suit, Very strong 0045). After 1 Suit, Weak freak 0047). After 2 Suit, Strong 2s 0048). After 2 Suit, Weak 2s 0049). After 3 Suit, Responding to preempt
Openers
rebid
0050). Unbalanced, The general idea 0051). Unbalanced, You are weak 0052). Unbalanced, You are strong 0053). Unbalanced, Partner replied with 1NT 0054). Unbalanced, Delayed support 0055). Balanced
Responder
rebids
0060). Responder rebids, The general idea 0061). Choice of two suits 0062). Responders reverse 0063). After 1NT rebid
Basic
Convention
0080). Stayman 0081). Transfer 0082). Transfer after 2NT 0161). Minor suit transfer
Slam
bidding
0090). Slam, Spotting the chance 0091). Blackwood 0092). No-trump slam 0093). Gerber 0094). Extra slam techniques
Interfering
bids
0100). Overcalls, the basic idea 0101). Overcalls, in a suit, over a suit 0102). Overcalls, in a suit, over 1NT 0103). Overcalls, in NT, over a suit 0104). Overcalls, Jump overcall 0105). Overcalls, Double then bid a suit 0106). Overcalls, Bidding opponents suit 0107). Overcalls, Balancing (protective) 0108). Overcalls, Overcall a preempt 0109). Overcalls, Preemptive double jump 0110). Overcalls, To overcall, or to double 0111). Overcalls, Response to 1NT after suit overcall (Lebensohl) 0115). Defence after 1NT 0116). Competitive bidding 0117). Be cautious sometimes 0118). Sacrificing Be bold when non-vulnerable 0119). Sacrificing 0120). Doubles, Double a 1NT 0121). Doubles, Double for takeout 0122). Doubles, Doubling after opponent overcall 0126). Doubles, Protective double
Doubles

0120). Doubles, Double a 1NT 0121). Doubles, Double for takeout 0122). Doubles, Doubling after opponent overcall 0123). Doubles, Negative double 0124). Doubles, Double a 1NT overcall 0125). Doubles, Double a suit over 1NT 0126). Doubles, Protective double 0127). Doubles, Responsive double 0128). Doubles, Double then bid a suit 0129). Doubles, Penalty 0130). Doubles, Support double 0131). Doubles, Lead directing double 0132). Doubles, Maximal double 0133). Doubles, Redoubling - coded meanings 0134). Doubles, Forcing Pass 0135). Doubles, Re-opening double 0139). Doubles, Index of doubles
Advanced
Convention
0150). Majors Jacoby 2NT 0151). Majors Splinters 0152). Majors Weak 2s 0153). Majors Weak 2 defence 0154). Trial bid 0160). NT and minors 4th suit forcing 0161). Minor suit transfer 0162). DONT Bidding When Opponents open 1NT 0163). Game tries 0166). Grand Slam Force 0167). Roman Keycard Blackwood 0168). Cue bidding for controls 0170). 2-suited Overcall Unusual 2NT 0171). 2-suited Overcall Michaels cue bid 0172). 2-suited Overcall Landy over 1NT 0173). Overcall Unassuming cue bid 0179). Very advanced

Quiz How much do you know about this page? Quiz

<= find/hide more deals exploiting this aspect

Quick summary

You know your partner's hand in considerable detail, so you can make some quick and bold decisions, ranging from pass to "game" to "Slam could be on".

You are not forced to reply. But any reply you make is forcing.

Thus a bid of 4 of a Major suit is limiting, 3 is for both weaker and stronger bids.

It's very much like replying to 1NT, but remember partner has 8 more HCP, and you have less bidding space.

Transfers are even more useful than usual !

Print cribsheet

Bridge Venue

+	West
	9 3 2
	A 2
	10 9 8 4
	K J 5 4

+	North
	A K Q 4
	J 10 4
	K Q 3
	A Q 10

+	East
	8 6
	K Q 7 6 3
	J 7 6 5
	9 8

	South
	J 10 7 5
	9 8 5
	A 2
	7 6 3 2

Example Deal

You: South
Dealer: East
Vuln: all

# 126022

To play in NT or a suit ?
..
Go to quiz (& full page) of deal # 126022
***

Click the + buttons to peep

Click on "q1" below to see question 1, and on "A1" to see the answer.

Question 1

When North opens 2NT, what are your bidding choices, and which is best ?

Question 1

When North opens 2NT, what are your bidding choices, and which is best ?

Answer

You could bid 3NT, since you are balanced and have the points. However, it's often best to find a 4-4 Major split than to play in NT from this kind of bidding, because you could both be weak in one suit. Best to reply "Stayman", (3 clubs), asking if opener has a 4-card Major, in case they have 4 spades or more.

Question 2

How should N reply if he has 4 Spades and 3 Hearts ? (Which he does).

Question 2

How should N reply if he has 4 Spades and 3 Hearts ? (Which he does).

Answer

3 Spades. Denying a 4-card Heart suit, but confirming a 4-card Spade suit.

Question 3

What should South now say ?

Question 3

What should South now say ?

Answer

4 Spades. You've got an 8 card fit, and you know that 25 HCP is certain. Game in spades is safer than NT.

Question 4

Would you like to know what would have happened in a 3NT contract with North as declarer, against a sensible lead from East?

Question 4

Would you like to know what would have happened in a 3NT contract with North as declarer, against a sensible lead from East?

Answer

Against 3NT, East would have led the 6 Hearts, promising at least 4 cards and eiher one or two honours. Partner West would have taken it with his Ace, and returned the suit. East wins with the King, then Queen, has 5 Heart cards in total, which would have produced 5 straight winners.

One down. (Good old Stayman, whoever he was.)

. . . .

Some subjects to follow up on
Stayman
After 2NT
Bal, 20+ points
Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25"

#1	+	<-- click the + to show/hide one possible Bidding Sequence
West			North	East	South
-			-	p	p
p			2NT	p	???
					3C
p			3S	p	4S
p			p	p
-			System: Acol (Benji)
suggest a different Bidding Sequence

bid	explained at....
#2	+	<-- click the + for explanation of relevant Bidding Techniques
2NT	Bal, 20+ points
3C	Stayman
3S	Bidding Objectives = "8 and 25"



			Hand evaluation

#3	+	<-- click the + for ideas on the Opening Lead
Opening Lead: East , K Reasons, when playing in Suit contract: 1. top of touching honours 2. establish this suit?

« 0037 »

Responder 1st bids. After 2NT

37. Reply to 2NT opening (for Stayman & Transfers, see text)
Points	0-3	4-10	11-12	13+	17+
Balanced
-	pass	3 NT	4 NT	6 NT	7 NT
Unbalanced		(M=Major suit, m=minor suit)
6-card suit	pass	4 Major	3 then explore Slam	6 M / m	7 M /m
5-card suit	pass	3 Major	3 then explore Slam	6 M / m	7 M / m
Add to your customised cribsheet

It's easy

This is an exciting moment, because a game is very likely and, depending on your hand, a Slam could be there for the taking. It's easy to respond to 2NT, because your partner has told you very precisely what he has. He's balanced, and he has 20-22 HCP, no more no less. Replying to 2NT is therefore very much like replying to 1NT, except

you must of course remember that your partner has 8 more HCP, and
since he's opened at the two level, you have less bidding space

These two differences have some consequences, apart from simply adjusting the arithmetic that you need to do in your head. Let's have a look.

Any reply is itself forcing. But you are not obliged to reply.

Exactly like replying to 1NT, but unlike replying to 2 of a suit, you are NOT forced to make any reply. However, if you do, any reply is exploratory to game, and forces the opener to rebid. So if you do reply, you are going to have at least 2 chances to speak.

As a further consequence, there is no "weakness takeout bid". Hey ! Weak ? One of you's already got half the pack ! (Remember that a weakness takeout reply to 1NT absolutely requires silence from the opener ! But any reply to 2NT is forcing.)

Less bidding space

Remember that when replying to 1NT, you can "invite" pretty partner to game by bidding 2NT (some people also have a 2 reply as well). He will convert to a 3NT game if he is at the top of the range (i.e. 14 HCP), and pass if not. That's not possible when replying to an opening bid of 2NT, since that bid has already been taken. So you can't invite.

Thus, for the same reason, you need to be a little more certain to reply at all. Arithmetically you would expect that 3 HCP is required to reply positively (since 11HCP is the requirement when replying to1NT). But no, you need 4 HCP. With only 3 HCP, just pass.

You have all the cards!

What I mean is you have all the information. Just as with the 1NT opening, your partner has given you a very precise description of his hand, and so you can now pretty well figure out what the final contract should be. The remaining uncertainties about your partner's hand are mostly to do with the exact length of his various suits. So after your bid, she'll report back to you on this aspect.

Your options are either (1) pass, (2) go for game in NT, (3) go to a suit game, or towards one, (4) explore or invite to slam. You know what total strength is needed in each case, so you can decide which path to follow, simply by analysing your hand. Best of all though, include Stayman and Transfers in your range of responses.

Stayman and transfers

The reasons for wanting to use these two wonderful conventions still apply, only more so in the case of Transfers. If you are the first person to name a preferred suit, then all of your partners very strong cards will be laid down for the opposition to see. Much better to transfer. As mentioned above, you are going to need 4 HCP to use these conventions, but other aspects remain similar.

Beginners

This supposes that you don't want to use Stayman and transfers. The table shows the options. The most interesting one is where you have a 5 or 6 card Major, and just enough points for game.

With 6 cards it's easy, because you know that you must have an 8-card match. That's because your partner's opening 2NT bid promised at least two cards in every suit. So you can simply bid directly to 4 of the Major.

With 5 cards you can't be sure if it's best to be in NT of your Major. so you bid 3 of your Major and leave the decision to your partner. If he has 3 of them, he'll convert to 4. With only 2 he'll switch to 3NT.

Big hands in a suit

What if you've got sufficient points to try for a Slam in your long Major ?

You can't bid 4 of them, since that will be interpreted as "Game and no more". Bidding 5 would use up all the bidding space. So, bid 3. When your partner comes back with either 3NT or 4 of the Major depending on the number of cards he has in your suit, as mentioned above, you can then make it clear that you are in fact very strong, by continuing the bidding in a Slam investigation.

Big hands in No Trumps

Again this is quite simple, and exactly the same as replying to 1NT with very strong cards, suitable adjusted for your partner's increased strength. You are looking for 33 or 37 HCP between you. Have a look at Slam bidding in NT.

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Quiz: Barrier-Reversing

Quiz: Deal # Tuesday