BRIDGE NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20038, 20 September 1930, Page 11

BRIDGE NOTES.

HELP FOR PLAYERS AND BEGINNERS. (sPZCIALLy WBTTTM7 JO* TSS PBBOS.) [By William Shackle.] Another conventional bid which has had a great vogue is the call of two .of a minor suit when one has good support in -the three other suits. In this case it w incumbent on one's partner to bid two of his best suit, or, if his best suit is-the suit named, then two no trumps. This is a most excellent bid provided it is used only on the right occasions. Its use is so unusual that one must be confident that one's partner will understand the bid and act accordingly. As, however,"no good player ever calls two of a minor suit as an initial bid, it is very easy to remember arid to recognise when used. Now for the occasions oh which one may use tys bid. Holding S. A, J, 6, 3, H. K, Q, 8, 6, D. K, J, 9, 4, C. 10. Ordinarily one would bid one .No Trump, yet if the opponent on your left holds C. A, K, Q, x x x he. will probably teavo you in, knowing that you are most unlikely to go game against him. If, however, you bid 2 clubs and your partner bids into any 4 or 5 card suit, your 4 supporting cards give your side, a great-chance ot making game: Instead of the club singleton being one's weakness it tends to' strengthen one's, hand. This "bid ' must be made only., if weakness is-in a. minor suit, as if your opponents hold good cards in a major suit, they will bid it, so there is no need to übo a convention to advise your partner that you. hold 3 suits; bid ' one No Trump. The following 4 hands are ideal for bidding two of a minor suit:— (1) S. A K x x. H. Q J 10 x. D. x. C. K Q 10 x bid 2 diamonds. (2) S. A K Q. H. J 10 x x z. D. A K J x. C. x.bid 2 clubs,. (3) S. K Q Vx. H. K Q x x. D. j A K Q. C. x x bid 2 clubs. ' (4) S. AJx x. H. AQx x. D. x. C. K Q J x bid 2 diamonds. I It will be noted that according to the conventional bid ot (1) of a minor I. suit one diamond could be called on i- bands (2) and (3). Two clubs, however, is the better bid, as, if one diamond is called, your partner may have 5 diamonds plus a poor hand —in which case he would leave you in, a not too satisfactory bid for such a good hand, or alternatively he might" not have any five card suit so would bid No Trump. By bidding -two, however, one -is sure of a sujt bid even"though one's partner holds only a four-card suit, and a suit bid is wanted to get full value from these hands. ' For Beginners, To bid 1 no trump one needs a'2l or more point hand—counted according to the Robertson rule. i.e., ace 7 pts, king spts, queen 3pts, jack 2pts, and 10 lpit; Then deduct 2 points from any honour insufficiently covered, i.e., K x, Q x x, J x x x, 10 xxx x.„ Next it is necessary that one counts some points in at'least 3 suits.? Having 21 points, divided among 36uifcs,- bid 1 No Trump. Remember, that if on« ha* a possible major or minor suit bid oiie should bid the suit in preference to No-Trumps. A good hand "on the tablo" is much easier for your ; partner to play - than his poor hand would be for yon, Besides which he will have learned from the. bidding which'way to finesse. Questions relative to bridge are. always welcome, and"if a stamped addressed envelope is enclosql a reply wili be sent by post. Address c/o. Prprs -Office/