Secrets of Good Bidding #2
By Mike Lawrence

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

EAST'S 1S BID

Q1 How many points does East show?
Q2 What kind of spade suit can East have?

A1 On this vulnerability, East shouldn't be totally outrageous. If the vulnerability were reversed, I can imagine responding 1S on some three and four point hands which are hoping to obstruct the opponents' bidding. Red versus not, I expect East to have his full six points.

A2 Modern bidding more or less requires East bid a poor four card spade suit on occasion. East could have the 5432 of spades.

WEST'S 2S BID

Q1 Why raise to 2S with only three trumps?
Q2 If East has the 5432 of spades, won't 2S be a crummy contract?
Q3 If you don't like the raise to 2S, what do you prefer?

A1 The reason you raise to 2S is that you want to tell partner as soon as possible that you have support for his suit. Some players insist on waiting for four trumps to raise. This style works admirably as long as opener has four card support but it often fails when opener has three card support.

A2 2S may or may not be a poor contract if East has the 5432 of spades. It is possible that East can ruff some diamonds in his hand. He might even ruff a heart. It is possible that East will ruff a club in dummy. The chance that East has four little spades is actually a minor issue. Here are the real reasons for raising spades with three trumps and the good things that may come from it.

1. If East has a five card suit, he will know there is a fit and he can bid accurately to the right level.

2. If East has four spades, it is still possible for spades to be the correct contract. There is nothing inherently wrong with a 4-3 fit.

3. If East has four spades, he can still veer off into notrump if he wishes to do so.

4. Even if East has four little spades, there is a chance the opponents will bid something and save East from having to play the hand.

If this hand were put into a bidding contest between experienced bidders, the vote for 2S would be in the neighborhood of 95%. If you agree with this number, then I assume you are comfortable with the three card raise. If you are surprised by it, go take your own informal poll of opinions you respect.

A3 You have two alternatives if you refuse to raise spades with three card support. You can rebid 1NT, which is accurate in terms of high cards and shape, and you can rebid 2D showing your respectable suit. Frankly, I am appalled by both of these bids.

If you bid 1NT and end up playing in notrump, you will hate it when the opponents lead either clubs or hearts through whatever it is your partner has in that suit. It is infinitely better to raise spades. If partner goes into notrump, the hand will be played from the right side.

If you rebid 2D, you do get to show an important feature of your hand, but you also lose the more important feature of your spade support. If you rebid 2D and partner passes and puts down one or two diamonds for you, are you ready to bet that diamonds is a better trump suit than spades? For example. Pretend West rebids 2D. What should East bid with Jxxxx, Ax, xx, Kxxx?

EAST'S 3S BID

Q1 What is East doing?

A1 East should be making a game try. Since East isn't bidding another suit or notrump, East is confirming a five card suit. West doesn't have to worry when he has three card support. There are some sequences where East's 3S bid is preemptive, but they are usually in competition. The opponents aren't in the auction on this hand so the 3S bid is defined as forward-going.

WEST'S 4S BID

Q1 Should West go to game or not?

A1 West has normal points but they are as good as they come given that he has only three spades. West has guaranteed useful high cards plus he has a five card suit. It is clear to bid game.