Mike's Bidding Quiz

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1. When partner makes a takeout double, what do I do with only a few high-card points?

2. What about distribution? Can that influence my decision?

When partner doubles an opening bid for takeout, you will have decisions to make. Keep in mind that high-card points are not the only factor to consider when making your response. The following quiz will help you with some important principles. You are South.

West North East South
1♦ Dbl Pass ?

1. ♠ 10 8 7 4 3   ♥ Q 9 8 7 4   ♦ 8   ♣ Q 6

See Mike's Advice

Bid 1♠, but be ready to come alive on the next round. You intend to follow with 2♥, maybe more if partner shows extras. For instance, if opener passes and partner raises to 2♠, you know he has four spades and about 17 support points. You should give extra value to your shape and your useful high-card points and bid game. 4♠ should be a good spot.

2. ♠ 7 3   ♥ 9 8 3   ♦ 8 7 4 3   ♣ A K J 7

See Mike's Advice

Bid 2♣. This is about as many high-card points as you are likely to have. If you had more, you would make a stronger bid. One more jack and one more club would make this a 3♣ bid. If your partner bids again over your 2♣, you probably have a game. For instance, if your partner bids 2♥ next, you should raise to 4♥.

3. ♠ 7 6 3   ♥ 9 8 7 3   ♦ Q 5   ♣ J 9 8 3

See Mike's Advice

Bid 1♥. When you have a four-card major and a four-card minor, choose the major suit. That, more than anything, is what partner is looking for.

4. ♠ K 2   ♥ Q J 7 6 5 3   ♦ 10 8 7 4   ♣ 8
See Mike's Advice

Bid 2♥. This hand is a ringer. The point of this bid is to introduce you to an important concept. Your six-card suit and distribution make this hand worth nearly 10 support points. With hands this good, you must make a stronger bid than a simple 1♥. More on this next week.

5. ♠ 6 3   ♥ Q 9 8 7 6 3   ♦ 8 7 3   ♣ 10 7
See Mike's Advice

Bid 1♥. This is not a good hand, but it has something that you should learn to love. Your little hand with only 2 high-card points has a six-card suit, and your partner is promising support. If the auction goes quietly, you may be able to bid again. For example, if you bid 1♥, and opener rebids 2♦, you should bid 2♥ if you get the chance. For the record, this is a much better hand than:

♠ Q 7 4   ♥ 8 7 4 3   ♦ Q 8 4   ♣ Q 9 5

This hand has three times as many high-card points as hand No. 5, but the shape is horrible. The little hand with its six-card suit has promise because there are enough hearts for you to be certain that the suit will be more than adequate as trump.

6. ♠ K 3   ♥ 8   ♦ 8 7 6 3   ♣ Q J 5 4 3 2
See Mike's Advice

Bid 2♣. Let me show you something interesting. Suppose this diagram shows your hand (South) and partner’s:

North
♠ A J 7 4
♥ A 7 4 3
♦ 2
♣ A 8 7 6
South
♠ K 3
♥ 8
♦ 8 7 6 3
♣ Q J 5 4 3 2

If nothing bad happens, your 6-point hand will take 12 tricks facing this 13-point dummy if the club and spade finesses win. The opening bidder is likely to have the important high cards, so game is not a bad bet. The point of this? Do not be sad when you have a weak but shapely hand. Be optimistic.