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Agreements.

Normally in bridge, we look at the bidding of a hand first and the play and defence afterwards. Wise folk know that most “normal” situations have exceptions in our game. So, after watching yesterday at the defence to a board in 1NT, we will look at whether that should have been the final contract.

Do you remember this?

 

I commented yesterday that it looks like we could well have a major suit fit here and that we would like to find it if we can…but how? We have options of double or 2 or simply bidding a major! Would 2 be natural, a possibility complicated by so many “short club openers” around?

Let’s hear what our Panel thought. I kind of understood what Kris was saying but life suddenly got a bit complicated:

Kris Wooles “ Double is balancing T/O for majors. 2 is natural if 1 is 2/3 and after a 4 card opening and by partnership understanding could still be natural but could be a 2 suiter not good enough for an immediate overcall or a Michaels style bid.”

Well, Kris does highlight the problem. You must have an agreement rather than have to guess at the table! Pam’s assumptions seem sound:

Pam Livingston “Double. This is take- out of clubs but not enough to double the first time. If I sat down to play with someone for the first time, I would assume 2 was natural regardless of the length of the opener.”

Most would play an immediate 2 as Michaels, showing both major suits.

Michael Cornell “Double: simply take-out of clubs but obviously strongly major oriented ( LHO has denied a major). Unless one has a specific agreement over the1 opening ( one should have an agreement !)  2 now is clubs if an immediate 2 is Michaels and that is pretty normal )

Nigel Kearney “Double: 2 is definitely natural regardless of how many clubs they showed. Double is possibly ambiguous if undiscussed. I prefer take-out but usually partner can distinguish whether I have a light take-out double or a penalty double with clubs by looking at his own hand.”

Leon Meier “Double: 2 after passing 1 is natural, so that's ruled out. I think I would double for take-out here at Pairs since taking them light when we have a contract will not often be a good score when they're non -vul. 1 1NT usually has club support so the chances of us having a fit are pretty high.

There is a risk in making a take-out double, highlighted here:

Bruce Anderson “Double: Even if the club opener can be short, surely West has length in clubs given they did not bid a suit? We may get into trouble if East is a short club with both majors and a NT type hand, but it is Pairs and making 2 or 2, if possible, is likely to be a great result.

So, notwithstanding my hand is balanced and we are vulnerable I double, which as far as I am concerned shows both majors. It could be argued 2 would also be for take-out if East has shown at least 3 clubs, but I do not want to create ambiguity when double is surely for take-out.”

 

Agreeing with the majority on the meaning of 2 but offering an alternative meaning for double is:

Peter Newell 2 is natural regardless of the length of 1. This doesn't seem entirely logical but hands with clubs are hardest to bid after they open 1, so I think 2 stays natural.

 So, what's double given that you don't have enough to overcall?  I would expect a weak 2 suiter, if a 2 bid on the first round is majors, would exclude majors and hands with clubs: so, diamonds and a major. If a 2 bid on the first round was natural then I would  expect double to be a 2- suiter excluding clubs. 

However, not everyone is in favour of bidding:

Stephen Blackstock “Pass: Let's be clear, this situation is simply a guess, not a technical issue. If East is 4432 say then we likely have no fit and will go minus, perhaps a lot, at the two level. But if East has a minimum, minor oriented hand, then we can expect to make 2/ and setting 1NT even two tricks will not compensate.

The meanings of 2 and double now are matters for agreement, and if, as implied by the problem, there is no firm agreement, why would you bid? If South is uncertain and North is unsure also, it won't end well! For the record, 2 surely cannot be natural now, as either or both opponents can have club length on this auction. It shouldn't be two suited either, since that hand would have bid earlier.

 

I pass because the vulnerability makes bidding dangerous, even one down will be very poor against -90 defending 1NT. If E/W can make eight tricks, then we will often be -200 in 2/.

 

Of course, we shouldn't be in this position. Why no take-out double of 1? It was plainly going to be safer competing early at a lower level than it is now.”

 

and  suggesting he might take a different approach at Teams is:

Andy Braithwaite “ Double: at Pairs  to show both majors. 2 would be natural at this point. I would not bid at Teams and would be less happy with my bid if the opposition play a 2+ club!

It would thus seem that assuming we play an immediate 2 overcall as Michaels for the majors, that 2 now is showing clubs. For most, double shows a weak hand with both majors which means that they could double with the hand below. No major fit this time but the chance for a better plus score than that would come from beating 1NT by one or even two tricks, though observe Stephen Blackstock’s warning. Doubling now may not produce a happy ending:

 

 

It would seem North has a choice of winning options this time unless they pass the double and lead a heart. Otherwise, with even breaks in all three suit options and well placed major honours, North-South would achieve a better result than the +50 at the table.

Are you and your partner clear of your agreements?

More from the  tomorrow.

Richard Solomon

 

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