All In One –
Lesson 5
Answers
17. 3♦. If you answered 3♥, you are not wrong, but only partially right. There are numerous bids that send the same message each with its own flavor. Your side has already agreed on hearts as the trump suit. You want partner to agree to a partscore with 6 or 7 points and bid game with 9 or 10 points, but what about when she holds 8 points? Then she has a much more difficult decision. To help, show where honor cards would be of the greatest help to your hand. Bid 3♦ just in case partner needs the information.
18. Pass. After three passes you should use the Rule of Fifteen to decide if you should open. The total of high card points and the number of spades should be fifteen or more to open. The reason is that to open without extra strength or without the spade suit will allow the opponents a greater chance at winning the partscore battle to come. You have twelve high card points and only two spades and so you should pass.
19. It would not be at all uncommon for partner to hold three spades and four hearts (in which case you would like to be in hearts) or four spades and three hearts (in which case you would like to be in spades). To avoid playing in a 4-3 fit when a 4-4 fit is available bid 2♣, a low level cue bid of the opponent’s suit. It sends the universal message that you need more information to make a decision. Partner should bid a four-card major suit and you will now be in the proper strain. You can bid game in that suit with your twelve-point hand.
20. When deciding whether or not to overcall after a 1NT opening on your right your primary focus should be on estimating the risk against any possible reward. LHO will have a great amount of judgment as to the proper level (partscore-game-slam) for N-S. By bidding you give N-S a second option (doubling you for penalties). You can mitigate the risk with a long suit (six or more cards), extra distribution (two-suited or holding a singleton), and with suit texture (lots of intermediate cards 10,9,8 versus 2,3,4). On this hand you have only a five-card suit, you are balanced, and your suits contain virtually no texture. You should pass without any serious thought to bidding.