Bridge

Cue (NZERS), Issue 16, 31 January 1945, Page 22

Bridge

No Trumps-.. The opening One No Trumps is far too little used. Honour Trick strength required is about 3 H T spread over three suits. One suit can be risked unless already bid by opponent. Some prefer,the more flexible point system. In this system A = 4 K ~3 Q“ 2 J~i 10 = 2- The ideal hand is a 4-3"3"3 distribution but a doubleton is permissible if K x or stronger. With a weak doubleton or a singleton it is better to bid a suit in the first round. If .your partner should bid the weak suit over you, you can then safely go into No Trumps. Some players hesitate ■ to bid No Trumps unless all suits are stopped. This is over-cautious at the level of one. The partner can be presumed to have ■some , strength till the bidding proves otherwise and if the opponents have everything you., lack, they’ll bid it, or miss a good score. Response io One No Trump'. There is no need for the partner to call out into a suit, since No Trumps requires only three tricks for game. He should call out however: — (a) If he has a long suit without tops, and with no or insufficient entry cards in the other suits, e.g., S. xxx H. QJ xxxxx D. Kx. C.x In this hand, if the opponents hold Ace of Hearts these hearts may never be used as the King of Diamonds is not a certain entry, and your partner

cannot have many hearts and may only have Kx. Call two Hearts instead. (b) If he has a weak hand but a biddable suit, e.g. on S. QJ xxx H. xx D. Qxx C. xxx. Call Two spades. It is weak but , not desperate. With a weaker hand than this, silence is best. If the partner has only a minimum bid the opponents will call, or miss game by failing to do so. (c) If the opponent on the left of the opener has bid and partner has not a possible double stop in that suit but otherwise has a likely hand, with i| HT or better, he should call his best suit. The partner should raise to Two • No Trumps where an opponent has called provided: —■ /C c jj (a) He has a probable > double stop in the suit (e.g. KJ x of Clubs over a Two Club call.) (b) He has i| HT or 6 points in the hand. . To raise to three No Trumps without a further call from the original bidder he requires. 2 J HT or 9 points. Example:—What would you bid on 1. S.Qx 2. S.KQx 3. S.Axx H AJx H.Aioxx H.K.iox D.KQioxx D.Kx D.AKxxx C.Jxx - C.Jioxx C.Ax, -p Your ; partner has bid One No Trump. What would you bid on. 4 . S.xx H.iox D.Kxxxxx C.Kxx Your partner has bid one No TrumpNext player bids Two Hearts. a would you bid on: • 9 5. S.AQxxx 6. S.Axx* H.Kiox H.KQx D-x D.ioxxxxx C.xxx C.x • < (See answers on page 9) 2