Sport Forward: Messing With Their Game Force

Given the high card strength contained in these responses, you will rarely have enough to enter the bidding. Bidding a suit is natural and your playing strength should be within two tricks of your bid. You might enter the auction with a freak two-suiter, short in their suit, typically at least a 6-5 pattern. With such a hand, you could adopt the following approach, assuming the opening bid was 1H:

Double = 6 spades + 5-minor. Partner supports spades if possible. If not, partner may bid a minor. Pass if holding that minor, otherwise convert to the other minor.

3-their-major = 5 spades + 6-minor. Partner supports spades if
possible or bids a minor on the 'pass or correct' principle.

4H = 6 spades + 6-minor.

3NT = Both minors, 6-5 (or great courage and a 5-5 hand).

4NT = Both minors, 6-6 at least.

Opposite any of these actions, the high card strength is not so important (you are not likely to have much) but the degree of fit should determine how high you take the bidding. Do not become too excited with just an 8-card fit. With a 9-card fit, you can afford to sacrifice at the 4-level and with a 10-card fit at the 5-level.

When opener shows a singleton in reply to Jacoby 2NT

Suppose the auction begins with 1H on your right, 2NT on your left and opener rebids 3D. Most partnerships use this to show a singleton or void. You will be on lead against a heart contract so there is no point using a double as lead-directing. Instead, double should suggest a long suit â€“ hinting at a possible sacrifice against their game or slam.

RonKlingerBridge.com 2009

Sport Forward

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Messing With Their Game Force

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