No Trump Hands.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 375, 17 March 1932, Page 10

No Trump Hands.

Contract Bridge.

By

Ely Culbertson.

\yiIEN YOU SIT DOWN at the Contract table or watch the play of a friendly rubber, you cannot help but note how frequently the opening bid is no trump. Sometimes that is the correct opening bid on the hand, but much more frequently the correct opening bid is a suit, and the no trump declaration, if it is to become the final contract, should only be made after a preliminary exploration of the distribution of the combined hands. No fallacy in bidding has cost more points than has this ancient theory that “no trump is cheapest.” It is true that it takes but nine tricks to make a no-trump game, but they may be as unattainable as the moon at no trump if the opponents have a t set-up suit, while at the best suit make, the ten tricks necessary for game could easily be obtained. The approach principle of bidding does not shut out no trump as an eventual declaration, but no trump is considered an end not a means to an end. Observe the cost of an opening one no trump in this deal: South, Dealer.

Opening one no trump shuts out any exchange of information about Spades. Three no trump will be set for a penalty. No defence can prevent game at Spades. Opening one Spade, according to the approach principle, does not bar no trump if that is the best ’• declaration for the combined hands, because responding hand, not satisfied with the Spade contract and having no five-card biddable suit to substitute at an advanced contract, can always shift to the “ negative one no trump ” on about li honour tricks, or to two no trump on about 2h honour tricks. The approach bidding on the followings hands is one Spade, shifted to two no trump, and raised to three no trump, the best selection.

Shift the distribution in the dummy as below, and note the advantage of the opening one Spade. Game can be made easily at Spades, even with the loss of the Heart finesse, but with a Club opening game is impossible at no trump. Dealer:

It follows that the approach method of preferring always to open a biddable suit instead of no trump is a consistent winner, because it does not prevent .shifting into no trump those hands best fitted for r.o trump play, and it does prevent missing suit games ■which have been shut out by the original no trump bid. Value of a Part-Score, A part-score helps to bid and make a certain number of games which otherwise would not have been possible. In addition, there is a psychological factor of nervous tension exercised upon the opponents. Statistics (not yet completed) indicate roughly that from 15 to 20 per cent of the time a game is secured because of a partscore. Since a game is -worth between 400500 points its equity value of a part-score is roughly worth 100 points, in addition to the trick score itself. Thus, assuming the side North-South to have scored 60 points, their net profit is: 60 points—visible trick score 100 points—game equity Total, 160 points. It follows that a loss of from 100 to 200 penalty points to prevent the opponents from securing a part-score results in about an even break. A loss of 200 points is amply justified, even though mathematically the counter gain of a part-score is but 160 points. This is due to the fact that opponents instead of passing or doubling will frequently be pushed to a contract that cannot be made. This invisible gain is the mainstay of a skilful over-bidder in all situations.