CONTRACT BRIDGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17872, 31 August 1932, Page 12

CONTRACT BRIDGE

\ Hints for Players §

[ (N». 7.) j

The Defending Hand The defending hand is placed at a considerable. disadvantage from the start, as one of his opponents has already shown in opening the bidding', that he has considerable strength, i.e., at least honor tricks. It is unlikely, therefore, ■that be will be able to make game unless he holds a very powerful hand, or unless lie tinds his partner with much greater Strength than lie can reasonably anticipate. It is. a mistake to give in too quickly, however, and the defending hand must use considerable judgment in determining just how far he can safely carry the binding. By bidding lie lessens the opportunities bis opponents have of using low upp.oaih bids and he may possibly prevent them finding the call which best suits their two hands. He also gives information to iiis partner which may be useful later on in determining leads and most important, of all lie may by judicious bidding be able to force iris opponents into a contract which they cannot make.

The extent to which the defending hands should carry the bidding is inilueneed greatly by the condition of the rubber. The penalties for undertricks are not great when one is not vulnerable, and it will generally pay handsomly to risk going down one or two tricks to prevent opponents getting game. When one is vulnerable, however, the penalties mount quickly and ill this situation one should he more chary of possible defeats. The question is largely one of experience and a good player is justified in taking risks which would bo suicidal in' the case of a beginner. The opponents having opened the bidding there are several types of call open to the defending hand. These may be enumerated as below (1) Simple over-calls in another suit (or no-trumps). (2) Jump over-calls in another suit (or no-trumps). (3) Penalty doubles. (4) Informative doubles. (5) Overcalls in opponents’ suit. These will be dealt with in turn. (1) Simple Over-calls in Another Suit A simple over-call does not necessarily mean that a strong hand is held, but a certain strength is essential. In the first place the hand should contain at least 11, honor tricks arid the suit should be a biddable one. If the suit is a four-card suit the hand should contain at’'least two honor tricks. When one is vulnerable slight additional strength is necessary. In this case the biddable suit should bo a 'fairly good one, e.g., A K x xor A J 10 x x.

If it is necessary to call two of the suit in order to over-call the opponents’ suit, the suit bid should be a fairly good one if not vulnerable and a strong one if vulnerable. 15v a strong suit one means a suit containing at least four trump cards. Examples:— (1) The opponents have called one Heart and you bold : Spades : Kxx x x Hearts :x x Diamonds: xx x Clubs: Axx If not vulnerable, call one Spade. If vulnerable pass; but holding : Spades: KJx x x Hearts : x x Diamonds: JlO x Clubs: Ax x Call one Spade whether vulnerable or not vulnerable. (2) H opponents call one Spade and you bold— Spades : x x Hearts : K x x x x Diamonds :A x x Clubs :x x x you should pass. Holding— Spades :x x Hearts: KQJ x x Diamonds : K xk Clubs : x x x you should pass if vulnerable but call two hearts if not vulnerable. Holding— Spades : x x Hearts: K Q J 10 x Diamonds :A x x Clubs: J.lO x call two hearts whether vulnerable or not vulnerable. A simple over-call denies great strength and one’s partner is entitled to assume that the hand does not contain more than about 2' honor tricks.