michaelslawrence.com
–
We continue the discussion from last week, highlighted by these two questions:
1. If my right-hand opponent opens the bidding and I have a good hand myself, what do I need to enter the auction?
2. Is it ever correct to pass with an opening hand after RHO opens the bidding?
It is important to understand what you are telling your partner when you make a takeout double. The following quiz (continued from last week) is meant to help you grasp certain concepts that will make your bidding better and your partner happier. Decide what to do with each of the following hands with the auctions given. See Mike’s Bidding Quiz from last week for problems 1-7.
This is the auction:
| WEst |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
1♥ |
? |
8. ♠ Q J 7 ♥ 7 6 3 ♦ A Q J 8 ♣ K J 6
See Mike's Advice
You have the high-card-points for a takeout double, but you do not have the shape. Do not forget this rule: There is no shame in passing an opening bid when your RHO opens the bidding.
9. ♠ 9 4 ♥ A K J 8 ♦ Q J 6 3 ♣ K 9 8
See Mike's Advice
This is another in the family of good hands that do not offer a safe bid. Doubling risks partner’s bidding spades, and a 1NT overcall promises another point. What is one point among friends? Take it from me, it is not trivial.
10. ♠ A Q 8 7 3 ♥ A K 3 ♦ 8 7 3 ♣ K 2
See Mike's Advice
Bid 1♠. This is a good hand but not good enough to double. You will need about 10 points from partner to make a game. If he has that hand, he will not pass your 1♠ bid.
11. ♠ K 9 6 4 ♥ 4 ♦ A 6 4 ♣ K Q J 6 3
See Mike's Advice
Double. You have near-perfect shape and you have an opening bid. With four cards in the other major, you should try to get it into the bidding. If you bid 2♣, you may lose the spade suit.
12. ♠ K 10 9 7 ♥ 8 7 3 ♦ Q J 10 9 ♣ A K
See Mike's Advice
I have stated seriously that you should have support for the unbid suits when you double with normal-strength values. This hand would tempt many players to double, and it would be acceptable. You do not have perfect shape, but doubling is barely okay because you have an opening bid, you have support for the unbid major and you have another four-card suit. I would not, however, criticize anyone who passed.
This is the auction:
| WEst |
North |
East |
South |
|
|
1♠ |
? |
13. ♠ 7 6 3 ♥ Q J 7 ♦ A Q J 8 ♣ K J 6
See Mike's Advice
Pass. There are two reasons why passing is right. Can you name them? The first is that you have bad distribution. The second is that East opened 1♠. When an opponent bids 1♠, you must be aware that if your side bids a suit, it must be at the two level. You do not want to put this hand down in dummy in a two-level contract if you do not have to. Take away one spade and give yourself a fourth heart or a fourth club and doubling is fine. Watch out for bad-shape doubles when they open 1♠.
14. ♠ 7 4 ♥ A Q 7 2 ♦ A 7 4 ♣ Q 8 7 4
See Mike's Advice
This is close, but with a minimum hand and a little bit less than perfect shape, passing is best. When you think of the dangers of playing at the two level instead of the one level, you will appreciate that this hand is not quite good enough to double.
15. ♠ 9 ♥ K Q 7 4 ♦ 10 9 5 3 ♣ A Q 10 4
See Mike's Advice
Double. Why double with only 11 HCP when the two hands before passed with 14 and 12? The reason that you can double with this minimum hand is that you have ideal shape. No matter which suit your partner picks, it will be good for you. If he has five diamonds and zero HCP, this hand might prove good enough to take nine tricks because of its good shape and quality points, minimum though they may be.
